Last week, we talked about ways to teach the high press. The University of North Carolina women's soccer team has captured many NCAA Division I titles by playing and perfecting that high-pressure style of defense, often pushing the line of confrontation more than 10 yards into the opponent's defensive half. Here is an exercise that you can use with your teams to train high-pressure defending.
Organization
11 v. 11 on 70-yd long field
Halfway line serves as top of penalty area for second goal
Description of Exercise
11 v. 11 scrimmage – a goal is scored when a player is able to flight a ball to the opposing goalkeeper.
Goalkeepers are not allowed to leave the penalty area.
Purpose of Exercise
In order to prevent scoring, teams must employ high pressure defending to take away the time necessary to prepare and serve a flighted ball.