Pressing Trigger — Midfield Block Shape

Coach plays the ball into a back line of three. The defending team of four (mid-line) listens for the coach's call of 'press' and steps up to cut off passing lanes. The back three try to play through or over. Walk through the trigger twice before going live.

• Press as a unit — one player going alone gets bypassed every time
• Press the ball, but think about where the pass is going — block the easiest escape route
• If you can't win it, make them play backwards

• Remove the coach's verbal trigger — defenders must spot the press moment themselves (bad touch, slow pass)
• Back three can now pass to a striker target up top — defending mid must recover quickly