In this coaching clinic filmed exclusively for CV Academy, Jon-Paul Pittman, lead Under-18 coach at Forest Green, introduces a session he would put on to develop his team’s ability to the beat the opposition press.

The session, which Pittman explains using the Coaches’ Voice tactics board, is split into two practices. The first practice is a 4v4 plus a goalkeeper for the possession team, and is designed to work the back three and a deep-lying midfielder’s ability to beat the press either through combinations or 1v1 dominance. This then progresses to include wide players, who represent wing-backs for the possession team and wide midfielders for the opposition.

The second practice is an 11v11 in which Pittman sets up the coached team in his preferred 3-5-2 formation, against an opposition set up in a 4-4-2 shape. The aim is for the possession team to bring the principles coached in the first practice to life in a game situation, with a specific focus on the back three’s ability to beat the press with quality. The defending team is encouraged to press high and put the possession team under as much pressure as possible.

We hope you find the session useful in your own coaching!

Please also click below to access the accompanying session plan in PDF form.