High press 5v5 in two zones with supports and mini goals (Pochettino)
Two teams of seven on 30x40 m split into two zones, with two supports per team in 5 m end strips: five passes, pass to the support, one-touch lay-off and a finish into one of the two mini goals; the team that wins the ball immediately looks for its supports at the far end.
Los rojos completan cinco pases en la zona superior bajo la presión de los azules.
Objective
Train the quick attack after a high press: press in the zone where the ball is, win it and find the far-end support with a vertical pass to finish within seconds.
Organisation
30x40 m pitch split into two 30x15 m zones plus a 5 m strip at each end for the supports. Two mini goals on each end line. Two teams of seven: five inside the playing zone and two supports per team in the end strip they attack (reds at the top, blues at the bottom). Spare balls beside each strip.
Development
- 1A 5v5 possession game is played in one of the central zones; the team in possession (red) must complete at least five passes before it can play to one of its supports in the strip.
- 2The support must lay off first time to a team-mate arriving on the run, who finishes into one of the two mini goals at that end.
- 3If blues win the ball they look as quickly as possible for their supports in the opposite strip with a vertical pass (no five-pass requirement): one-touch lay-off and a finish into the mini goals at the other end.
- 4After every finish or ball out of play, all players switch to the other central zone and a new possession starts from a support.
- 5Five-minute sets, rotating the supports every set; the team with the most goals wins.
Coaching points4
- Press in the ball zone with all five: the nearest player jumps and the others close the passing lines to the supports.
- After the regain the first look is to the far-end support: a firm vertical pass.
- The lay-off is first time into the path of the team-mate arriving at speed.
- The finisher arrives from behind, on the run, so the defender cannot anticipate.
Common mistakes3
- Supports drifting out of the strip or controlling the ball instead of laying it off.
- The regaining team keeps passing sideways while the far support is free.
- Pressing without closing the pass to the support: the opponent skips the press with a long ball.
Variations3
- Supports may change strips when the ball crosses into the other zone.
- Finishing only allowed in the mini goal furthest from the point of the regain.
- 6v6 with three supports per team for groups of 18.
Progressions2
- Two-touch maximum inside the playing zone.
- Count 8 seconds from the regain to get the finish.
Regressions2
- Three passes minimum instead of five.
- Allow the support two touches.
Tips
- An ideal exercise to close the session: it keeps intensity and competition to the end.
- Space the mini goals well apart on the end line so the finish demands a choice.