Build-upRepresentativeTactics
Build-up against one-sided pressing
Recognise oriented pressing and answer with a switch of play — the goalkeeper’s highest-value action in build-up, and the least trained.
Choose a session and the exercise is added to today’s plan.
Load
- minutes
- 12
- Intensity
- Medium
- Sets and reps
- 4 × 1
Microcycle days it fits
MD-4, MD-3, MD-2
Each bar’s height is that day’s dive ceiling.
Setup
- Goalkeepers
- 1
- server
- 0
- outfield player
- 6
Space: 34 × 26 m
Equipment: Balls, Bibs, Cones, Mini goals
The coach serves and manages the breaks.
2 steps
The opposition deliberately presses down one side, shutting that channel. The goalkeeper must identify the free side and switch play. Switching is worth more points than progressing down the pressed side.
Exercise sequence
Coaching points
- Oriented pressing is easy to see from outside and hard to see from inside: scanning before receiving is what reveals it.
- A switch needs a firmer pass than it looks — a weak ball between the lines gets intercepted.
- Orient the body to the free side before the ball arrives; turning after receiving gives the press time.
- Call the free side to the centre-back before passing, so they receive already oriented.
- If the switch is not available, clearing beats insisting on the shut side.
Progressions
- Alternate the pressing side without warning, demanding a read every time.
- Make the switch mandatory before progression is allowed.
Regressions
- Press always down the same, predictable side.
- Reduce the number of pressing opponents.
Sources · 3
- StudyAdvice from “pracademics” of how to apply ecological dynamics theory to practice design (2023)
- CurriculumRegulamento do Curso UEFA de Treinadores de Guarda-Redes «B», Federação Portuguesa de Futebol
- Book«Scientific Approaches to Goalkeeping in Football», Bennion Kearny