Wide Pressing Trap

Coach a coordinated pressing trap: deliberately show the ball wide, then collapse to win it against the touchline.

Build-up team plays out from a keeper/back line; the pressing team funnels them wide on cue.

1. The pressing team blocks central passes and shows the ball into a wide area.
2. As the wide pass is played, the trap springs: press the receiver, cut the line back inside and forward.
3. Use the touchline as an extra defender — they have nowhere wide to go.
4. Win it and counter to the small goals.

• Body shape to show wide — block the inside, invite the outside.
• Trigger the trap as the wide pass travels, not after it arrives.
• Surround the receiver: ball-side, inside and behind covered.
• Win it and go forward fast — that's the reward.

• The trap springs too early and the build-up team just plays back — wait until the wide pass is travelling.
• Only the nearest player presses and the receiver escapes inside — the trap needs ball-side, inside and behind covered.
• After winning it, the team relaxes — the counter to the small goals is the payoff; demand it at speed.

• Shorten the time allowed to win it.
• Add a target to hit on the counter.
• Trap on both flanks.

• Walk the trigger and the trap.
• Larger area.
• Press one flank only.

• The trap only counts if sprung against the touchline.