Forward Pocket Press

Focus

Defensive, Contested ball, Gameplan/Strategy.

Skills

Kicking, Handballing, Tackle, Mark Contest.

Purpose

When there's a boundary throw-in, stoppage, or opposition free kick deep in your forward pocket, lock the ball in by committing all troops forward.

Groups of

Ages

15⁺

Balls/grp

Cones

Distance (max)

90m

Opp. tops

50%

Visible opposition strip: 50%

Setup
Split into two even teams - you'll need virtually 36 to make this game-based so players learn where to stand. The diagram only shows the defensive setup - attacking team can go anywhere. Start with a free-kick to yellow (A).
Step 1
Have one of your generals call for this setup if the ball is deep in your forward pocket, and there is a:-

Boundary throw-in

Ball-up

Free-kick to the opposition
Step 2
Defending team form a very tight zone. Each player learn the space they must occupy on the call to setup.

A tight zone doesn't allow for any easy short kick, as there are so many bodies filling the space

This forces the opposition to bomb long to a 50-50 contest

If the attacking team drop players behind the wall, leave them alone...they'll be short of bodies at the first contest
Step 3
Attackers may try to chip sideways across the face of the goal and work the ball out via (B), the fat side.

Defenders must covers players offering short options near the goals

Defenders near (C) can move towards the fat side if the opposition look like they're trying to switch long

Defenders should keep an eye on speedy attackers looking for a fast-break - cover areas at the back around (D) with quicker defenders and push slower ones up a line
Step 4
Play under normal rules, stopping after scrimmage, shot on goal.

If the attacking team manage to get the ball over half-way, defenders must all sprint back to fill the space

If attackers were able to break the zone, how effective was their run-and-carry? Did they have players ahead to use?
Step 5
2 turns with a free-kick, 2 turns with throw-in, 2 turns with ball-up. Alternate attacking and defending teams, and sides of the ground also.