3-2 Build-Up vs Pressing Unit

Created using Tactics Manager ⚽️ Activity Outline Mark out the defensive half of a full pitch with the five vertical lanes clearly marked using cones along the goal line and at the halfway line Mark a target zone across the full width of the pitch at the halfway line, around 5m deep — the ball must be received in this zone under control to score a point Position 10 attacking players plus a goalkeeper in an asymmetric 3-2 build-up shape: GK in the centre of the back line, stepped out of his goal to form the middle of the back three Left CB split wide of the penalty area on the left Right CB split wide of the penalty area on the right DM in the central lane in front of the back three Inverted RB stepped up alongside the DM, forming the double pivot LB pushed high and wide on the left wing Two CMs in the half-spaces, between the lines LW high and wide in the left wing channel ST in the central lane, high up the pitch RW high and wide in the right wing channel Position 6 defending players as a pressing unit, set up in a 3-1-2 high-press shape: Two strikers pressing the two CBs (one on each) One attacking midfielder pressing the DM Three midfielders behind the pressing line, ready to step up onto the CMs and inverted RB when the ball is played forward Coach starts each repetition by playing the ball to the goalkeeper, who must initiate the build-up against live pressure Attacking team scores by getting the ball under control into the target zone at the halfway line — possession alone in the defensive third is not enough Defending team scores by winning the ball back and either dribbling out of the four corners of the half-pitch or playing a long ball into the attacker’s empty half If the attackers lose the ball, restart with the goalkeeper after a 10-second reset The five-second counter-press rule applies the moment the attacking team loses possession Run for 20 to 25 minutes, in periods of 4 minutes with one minute rest Progress by adding a seventh defender (a second attacking midfielder) to increase the pressing intensity, or by shrinking the half-pitch by 5m on each side ✅ Coaching Points The attacking team must recognise the pressing structure and choose the right build-up mechanism — against a two-striker press, the GK plus the two CBs already creates a 3v2; against a three-player press, the inverted RB and DM provide the additional bodies needed to break through The CBs must invite the press by dwelling on the ball — a CB who passes too quickly does not give the press time to commit, and the trap fails The GK must commit to the back line and stay active — he is the central piece of the build-up structure, not a safety valve, and his ability to switch the play is what disorganises the press The DM is the key player in the middle — he must constantly scan to see when the central passing lane opens up and recognise when to drop deeper to receive The half-space target receives are the cleanest progression option — coach the CMs to time their movement so they become available as the ball moves The LB on the left wing is critical to balance — without him providing width on the left, the team loses the option to switch and force the press to chase The progression criterion is non-negotiable — the team must actually get the ball into the target zone under control, not just survive the press When the press fails (the attacking team breaks through), the defending unit should be coached to recover quickly rather than chase, since chasing teaches the wrong habits 🟢 Game Relevance This is the closest training environment can get to a real Pep build-up scenario — a structured team trying to break a structured press, with consequences for both success and failure Trains the recognition of pressing structures and the decision-making required to choose the right break-out mechanism in real time The progression criterion (get into the target zone under control) prevents the common error of confusing “keeping the ball” with “successful build-up” — possession in the defensive third is meaningless if the team cannot progress out of it Builds the courage required to play through pressure rather than around it — most teams that fail at building from the back do so because the players panic at the first sign of opposition Replicates the cognitive load of a real match build-up: scanning, recognising the press, choosing the mechanism, executing under pressure, and recovering when the press wins the ball Used regularly across a season, this drill produces the visible improvement in a team’s build-up phase that separates Pep-influenced football from teams that look like they are playing out from the back but never actually progress the ball Download Drill

Your cart is empty

Your cart

Estimated total

3-2 Build-Up vs Pressing Unit

Unlock This Exclusive Content

Already a member?

🔓 Unlock Full Access