BUILDING OUT

AGAINST HIGH
PRESSURE
AG E P H AS E : U 1 7 +
SESSION PLAN
SESSION OVERVIEW BUILDING OUT AGAINST HIGH PRESSURE

LEVEL PART 2: SPECIFIC BUILD-UP KEY

POSSESSION PRACTICE
• U17-First team Ball movement
• This is a specific possession practice focusing on
building from the back against high pressure. Player movement
SESSION OBJECTIVES • It is set up with two teams of 11, on a full-sized pitch without the ball
split into thirds, narrowed in width and with the four
Attacking corners wedged off. The objective for both teams is to Player movement
• To develop players’ understanding of passing patterns build from the back, through the thirds, and score past with the ball
when building out against high pressure the opposing goalkeeper.
• Develop their understanding of how to create overloads • Certain players are fixed into certain areas of the
when building out from the back practice, depending on whether their team is in
• Increase their understanding of the timing of arrival possession or out of possession.
Players
to link play to forward-facing players • Out of possession, the coach should place a high
demand on applying aggressive pressure, using the
Defending middle zone to help screen central passes and making it
• Develop players’ movements to apply aggressive difficult to play through. Cones
pressure when out of possession • Upon any regains, the defending team should be clinical
• Improve players’ ability to regain the ball quickly and in their counter-attacking.
Flat marker
be composed when securing the first pass

PART 3: 11v11 CONDITIONED GAME

PART 1: UNOPPOSED PASSING Cones with
PATTERNS • This is an 11v11 practice played on a full pitch, but with flat marker
a central octagon in which central players are fixed and
• This is a half-pitch practice in which seven outfield which wide players must stay outside.
players – a back four and midfield three – and a • The objective for both teams is to build from the back Goal
goalkeeper work two separate unopposed passing and score against the opposition goalkeeper.
patterns against mannequins set up in different out-of- • The coach is to be clear with the out-of-possession
possession formations. team, conditioning certain players to only defend or Mini-goal
• Mini-goals are positioned near the halfway line, which apply pressure in particular areas of the pitch.
replicate a front three. The objective is to build and • If successful in winning the ball back, both teams should
score in one of the mini-goals. look to counter-attack and score quickly.
• The coach should demand realism, place a high • The ball will always start back with one of the Mannequin Pole
importance on ball speed and detail, and coach goalkeepers if play breaks down.
movements off the ball to receive or attract pressure.
Football

AGE PHASE: U17+

UNOPPOSED PASSING PATTERNS BUILDING OUT AGAINST HIGH PRESSURE

FUNCTION 1
3 5

• This is an unopposed practice in which the players set Centre-backs

offer depth
up with a goalkeeper, back four and midfield three. to attract 4
pressure 4
• Six mannequins are positioned to represent an 3 8

opposition midfield three and front three, as shown in

Diagram 1.

60 metres
• The first pattern begins with the goalkeeper distributing 2 6
the ball to either of the of the centre-backs positioned 1
inside the 18-yard box. In Diagram 1, this goes to the
right-sided centre-back.
• Once this centre-back receives, the left-sided forward 5 10

would press and cut off the passing line to the right-
Forward runs
back. So the centre-back switches play to the opposite to stretch the
centre-back, enticing the right forward to press 2
back four

• Positioned behind the central mannequin, the #6 works

hard to receive and then plays out to the full-back (#3)
advancing up the pitch. 60 metres
• The ball-side #8 position means the opposition midfield Advance into
is narrow, allowing the pass to the #3, who plays into space to
2 receive the
the mini goal. ball 3
5
• For the second pattern, the six mannequins are set
Centre-backs
up as a midfield four and a front two – as shown in offer depth
Diagram 2. to attract
pressure 4 Drop down
• The goalkeeper distributes the ball to either of the of the pitch to narrow
4 off wide player
the centre-backs positioned inside the 18-yard box – in 8
Diagram 2, this is to the right-sided centre-back.
• Once the centre-back receives, the opposite #8 drops 3 10

down the pitch, into the space vacated by the #6. 1

2
6
• This attracts pressure from the right-sided midfielder,
which triggers the #3 to advance on to the shoulder.
5
This allows the goalkeeper, who has received from the
dropping #8, to clip over and successfully beat the
press. The #3 is then able to play into the mini-goal.
• Work both patterns in the opposite direction, with the 2
goalkeeper playing to the left centre-back to start.

AGE PHASE: U17+

UNOPPOSED PASSING PATTERNS BUILDING OUT AGAINST HIGH PRESSURE

COACHING DETAIL:
TECHNICAL
PASS DETAIL COMMUNICATION
• Players need to execute passes with the correct detail. • Place a high emphasis on players communicating,
When switching through centre-backs, the coach helping their teammates to notice movements.
should encourage good ball speed and detail. Basic information can help when working through
• Passes should not invite too much pressure, which can in-possession patterns.
lead to forced errors or spoiling a particular pattern.
RECOGNISE OPPOSITION PLAYERS’ RESPONSIBILITIES
MOVEMENT TO RECEIVE • The coach should touch on the opposition’s roles and
• The coach should place a high demand on the players’ responsibilities between each block. Prepare the team
movement off the ball. Even though it’s unopposed, for facing opposed pressure, and make the players
players need to show realistic movements at a game- familiar with the opposition press.
related pace in order to get familiar with the patterns.
QUALITY OF BUILD-UP PLAY
COMPOSURE ON THE BALL • The coach should demand high-quality build-up play
• Players need to practise staying on the ball and showing with the practice being unopposed. Demand players
composure, to be ready for inviting pressure. The coach are not making to many unforced errors, building
should deliver information on how attracting pressure confidence ready to face pressure.
can exploit the opposition press.

BODY POSITIONING
• When receiving, players should always try to apply the
correct body shape that will help them to combine with
teammates but also recognise pictures.

AGE PHASE: U17+

SPECIFIC BUILD-UP POSSESSION PRACTICE BUILDING OUT AGAINST HIGH PRESSURE

FUNCTION 1

• This is a build-up practice featuring two teams of 11 and

played on a full-sized pitch – but with the playing area 4 5
narrowed off and certain players fixed to certain areas.
• Both teams are set up in a 4-3-3 formation. 9
• In possession, the full-backs and wide forwards should 8

always occupy the outside of the possession pitch,

offering width. This is shown in Diagram 1, with the 11 2 7
team attacking the top goal. 3
6
• The ball starts with this team’s goalkeeper. The
defending team’s wide forwards can only apply 7

pressure once the goalkeeper plays the first pass. 10 8

• The defending #9 is fixed to the dotted line when out of 6

possession. They can only move side to side, attempting

to screen forward passes or force play one way.
• Diagram 1 shows the possession team advancing the
ball to the left-back, switching through the #6. 10
Screen
8
5
• The two advanced midfielders for the out-of-possession forward
passses
team – here, the #10 and the #8 – must always be fixed
in the middle zone. Their focus is on forcing the play to
the outsides and protecting central passes.
3 2
• The team in possession cannot play down the outside, 7
from full-back to wide forward. Diagram 1 shows
the attacking team playing through the thirds and
6
advancing the ball into the attacking third of the pitch. Press centre-
back and
11
• If the possession team play into their #9, the defending 4 cut off the
right-back
centre-backs become live and can apply pressure. 3
2
• On a loss of possession or play breaking down, the ball
restarts with the opposition goalkeeper and the teams 9

swap roles. 4 5
Force one way
• Bonus points are scored if either team wins the ball
back in their attacking third and then score. 1

Practice continues on the next page

AGE PHASE: U17+

SPECIFIC BUILD-UP POSSESSION PRACTICE BUILDING OUT AGAINST HIGH PRESSURE

2
• Diagram 2 shows the team attacking the bottom goal
attempting to build out from the back. 1
• The out-of-possession team is successful in regaining
the ball, allowing the two midfield players to release 4 5
from the central zone and counter-attack.
9
• In this instance, the wide players for the possession
team are caught in expansive shape and cannot recover 2
4
to defend. 3

• In the meantime, the #10 and #8 for the team that has 11
7
lost possession must retreat back into the central zone 6
2 3
while the counter-attack plays out.
• Once a counter-attacking phase has played out, the ball
will reset with the goalkeeper of the team that just lost 5
possession, giving them another chance to play out.
• The coach should enforce that players transition quickly
in order for the practice to flow.
• Play for four blocks of six to eight minutes. 8
10

PROGRESSION
• To develop the practice, allow an extra player from 10 8
the middle third to release and apply pressure to the
possession team. 7 3 2 11
• Also allow both out-of-possession centre-backs to 6
release as soon as the ball is transferred into the
attacking third.

4 5

AGE PHASE: U17+

SPECIFIC BUILD-UP POSSESSION PRACTICE BUILDING OUT AGAINST HIGH PRESSURE

COACHING DETAIL: COACHING DETAIL:

ATTACKING DEFENDING
PENETRATE THE LINES AGGRESSIVE PRESSURE
• Players should be encouraged to break the lines of • Out-of-possession players are encouraged to try and
pressure with quality. They should be wary of playing win the ball back high up the pitch, by pressing the
backwards and sideways passes, which will only possession team with aggression.
invite pressure.
RECOVERY SHAPE
MOVEMENT TO RECEIVE • If the first line of defence is broken, express the
• The coach should place a high demand on the players’ importance of the team working to force the play
movements off the ball. Outside players can still move outsides and not getting played through.
up and down their area, to create realism and gain time
on the ball. MAKE CONTACT TO REGAIN
• If applying pressure on the ball, defenders should look
TRANSITION QUICKLY to make contact in the tackle as they attempt to regain
• The coach should encourage both teams to handle the the ball.
transition appropriately. If counter-attacking, demand
quality and pace to the attack to increase the chances
of producing positive outcomes.

AGE PHASE: U17+

11v11 CONDITIONED GAME BUILDING OUT AGAINST HIGH PRESSURE

FUNCTION
1
• This is an 11v11 game played on a full-sized pitch, with
lines drawn out as shown in the diagram to create an
octagon in the middle of the pitch.
8
• Both teams set up in a 4-3-3 formation, but certain
players are fixed to certain areas within the pitch.
• No wide players from either team are allowed inside
the central octagon, and none of the central players are 11 7
allowed to play outside it.
• The ball starts with one of the goalkeepers, who must
play short to either of the two centre-backs. 4 9 5
• The diagram shows the team attacking the top goal
2 3
building from the back. This triggers the opposing wide 10
forwards to apply pressure to the centre-backs, and 7
6
perhaps also to the goalkeeper as well.
• The diagram gives an example of how one of the teams 5
can advance the ball up the pitch, sliding the left-sided 6
wide forward in behind to deliver a cross. 8
• For the first block of work, only the centre-backs and
#6 for the defending team can attempt to defend the
3 2
cross. 10 8
6
• Otherwise, normal rules apply apart from corners.
If a team wins a corner, play restarts back with their
goalkeeper and they should attempt to build out from
the back again.
• Teams are encouraged to counter-attack quickly if they 7
2
11
9
regain the ball. 3 4
• Play for two 10-minute blocks.
• To progress the practice, allow out-of-possession full- 4 5
backs to defend any crosses, although still staying
outside the octagon.
1
• Finally, allow a maximum of one outside player to help
the defensive team by stepping inside the marked area.

AGE PHASE: U17+

11v11 CONDITIONED GAME BUILDING OUT AGAINST HIGH PRESSURE

COACHING DETAIL: COACHING DETAIL:

ATTACKING DEFENDING
PENETRATE THE LINES AGGRESSIVE PRESSURE
• Players should be encouraged to break the lines of • Out-of-possession players are encouraged to try and
pressure with quality. They should be wary of playing win the ball back high up the pitch, by pressing the
backwards and sideways passes, which will only possession team with aggression.
invite pressure.
RECOVERY SHAPE
MOVEMENT TO RECEIVE • If the first line of defence is broken, express the
• The coach should place a high demand on the players’ importance of the team working to force the play
movements off the ball. Outside players can still move outsides and not getting played through.
up and down their area, even though they are initially
limited in the spaces they can inhabit. MAKE CONTACT TO REGAIN
• If applying pressure on the ball, defenders should look
TRANSITION QUICKLY to make contact in the tackle as they attempt to regain
• The coach should encourage both teams to handle the the ball.
transition appropriately. If counter-attacking, demand
quality and pace to the attack to increase the chances
of producing positive outcomes.

AGE PHASE: U17+