Win It and Break Out

1. For each group of six, mark a pitch 14 metres wide and 23 metres long with two small goals on one end line. Split it across into three zones: a 4 metre goal zone in front of the goals, an 11 metre breakout zone, and an 8 metre pressing zone at the far end.
2. Two players start with a ball in the pressing zone and score by dribbling over the far end line. Two pressers start between them and that line. Two lone defenders play on the side of the pair with the ball: one in the breakout zone, one in the goal zone.
3. The pressers try to win the ball. The moment they do, they break out: past the defender in the breakout zone, then past the last defender in the goal zone, to score in either small goal.
4. The pressers may go anywhere; everyone else stays in their own zone.
5. When a round ends (a goal at either end, the ball out, or a lone defender winning it), the pair in the pressing zone starts again with a new ball; keep spares beside the zone. Every 2 minutes the roles move round: the pressers take the ball, the pair on the ball become the lone defenders, and the lone defenders become the pressers. With twelve players, run two pitches side by side.

The pressers have two questions before they ever touch the ball: who goes to the ball and who covers behind, and when to go. A heavy touch, a player with their back turned or a slow pass is the moment to close in together. Win it, and the question flips in a second: run with it into the space, or pass to the partner because someone is closing. Then it is two against one, twice. The player on the ball goes at the defender to draw them in, then passes or keeps going depending on which way the defender leans. The lone defenders face the problem every defender meets sooner or later, one against two: slow the attack down, stand where the pass is blocked, and only tackle when the ball is loose.