In this coaching clinic filmed exclusively for CV Academy, Richard Walker, then the lead professional development phase coach at Stoke City, explains the key principles that underpin his coaching of pressing from the front.

Setting up in the 4-2-3-1 formation he used with his Under-18 team at Stoke, Walker describes how the front four can be used in pressing high, closing down space, limiting the in-possession options of the opposing defenders and, ultimately, winning the ball as close to the opposition goal as possible. He discusses how the rest of the team can be used to support and enhance an aggressive press, before going on to illustrate how the same principles can be applied to pressing from a different starting formation – in this example, the 3-5-2. Finally, he speaks about the coaches and teams he uses as a reference when building his own press from the front.

It’s a fascinating insight into an area of the game that is increasingly prevalent in the modern game. We hope you enjoy it!