These are seven of the best pressing sessions on The Coaching Manual, from pressing in small numbers at U9 to pressing as a unit at U13 and above, plus a guide to pressing from the front. They're delivered by coaches including David Moyes, UEFA Pro Licence tutor Martin Hunter and Graeme Murty, and each one breaks pressing down into practices you can run with your own players.
Pressing lets a team force mistakes, win the ball back high up the pitch and create chances. But it only works when players understand when to go, who goes first and what everyone else does. The sessions below build that understanding step by step, whether you call it a training session or a practice. If you want the thinking first, start with our guide to how to coach pressing without just shouting "press".
The sessions at a glance
| Session | Coach | Ages |
|---|---|---|
| Pressing Masterclass | David Moyes | U11+ |
| Defending Principles: Pressing and Support | Martin Hunter | U13+ |
| Pressing After Losing the Ball | Graeme Murty | U13+ |
| Pressing in Small Numbers | Jake Gardner | U9–U10 |
| Press, Cover and Balance Masterclass | Pep Clotet | U13+ |
| Pressing in the Final Third | Anthony Limbrick | U13+ |
| Pressing as a Unit | Paul Bright | U13+ |
1. David Moyes: Pressing Masterclass (U11+)
In this Pro Masterclass, David Moyes, whose managerial career includes Everton, Manchester United and West Ham, explains why teams press and coaches the technical and tactical sides of pressing, both individually and as a team.
The session has three practices:
2. Martin Hunter: Defending Principles of Play, Pressing and Support (U13+)
UEFA Pro Licence tutor Martin Hunter, former Technical Director at Southampton FC, coaches players to press as individuals and to support the presser from behind.
The session has five practices:
3. Graeme Murty: Pressing After Losing the Ball (U13+)
Graeme Murty, formerly of Rangers FC, helps players understand when, where and how to win the ball back in the moments after losing it, and when to delay and recover into a compact shape instead.
The session has three practices:
- Transition to Defend Rondo
- Transition to Defend Possession Practice
- Transition to Defend 8v8 Conditioned Game
4. Jake Gardner: Pressing in Small Numbers (U9–U10)
Created by Jake Gardner of The Coaching Manual's content team, this session coaches younger players to defend in small numbers, with an emphasis on pressing and winning the ball back in the attacking half.
The session has three practices:
- Pressing Arrival Activity
- Defending in Small Numbers Skill Practice
- Defending in Small Numbers Conditioned Game
5. Pep Clotet: Press, Cover and Balance Masterclass (U13+)
In this Pro Masterclass, former Brescia and Birmingham City manager Pep Clotet coaches players on the importance of cover when defending as a unit.
The session has three skill practices:
6. Anthony Limbrick: Pressing in the Final Third (U13+)
Anthony Limbrick's session helps players recognise the cues and triggers to press the opposition in the final third.
The session has three practices:
- High-Intensity Pressing Warm Up
- Pressing in the Final Third Skill Practice
- Pressing as a Team Modified Game
7. Paul Bright: Pressing as a Unit (U13+)
TCM Technical Director Paul Bright, a UEFA A Licence coach, helps individuals and units recognise the cues and triggers to press, so the team wins the ball back as quickly and as high up the pitch as possible while cutting off penetrative passes.
The session has four practices:
- Pressing Warm Up Rondo
- Pressing 5+5 v Targets Skill Practice
- Pressing Skill Practice
- Defending as a Unit 11v11 Game
Plus: a guide to pressing from the front
If you'd rather understand the ideas before you coach them, Lee Fletcher's guide explains the core principles and concepts of pressing from the front, with infographics, animations and video throughout. It's useful background for any of the sessions above.
Before you start
For younger players, keep pressing simple: one player goes to the ball and the next one helps. Team pressing with agreed triggers suits players from around U13, once they're playing larger formats. For the ideas behind pressing, read how to coach pressing without just shouting "press" and our guide to the principles of play. For more sessions by age group, browse the free coaching sessions library.
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