Keep Away from the Tiger
Press Resistance
Legend
- player
- ball
- movement path
How it works
Maintain possession against a single pressing player in a small space to introduce press resistance.
What you need
- cones
- soccer ball
- scrimmage vests
Your focus
Press resistance starts with the simple skill of keeping the ball when someone runs at you. Young players who learn to stay calm and solve simple pressure situations build the technical foundation for playing out against organized presses at higher levels.
Mark a 10x10 yard space. 3v1 possession.
The one defender ('the tiger') chases and presses aggressively.
The 3 possessing players keep the ball away with a maximum 3 touches.
If the tiger wins the ball, the player who lost it becomes the tiger.
Play for 4 minutes; count consecutive passes.
Rotate the tiger every 2 minutes regardless.
Goal
You've got it when you keep the ball from the 'tiger' for the full 30 seconds, not a long ball out, but actual possession maintained in the small space.
Helpful cues
- Look for the free player, there's always one when it's 3v1
- Don't panic, the tiger can only go to one ball
- First touch away from pressure, not into it
Adjust the challenge
Make it easier
Strip it back
Larger area (15x15); tiger cannot sprint, only walk.
UpLVL it
Add the next challenge
2 tigers; now it's 3v2, more realistic press.No account needed
Build a practice plan
Add drills, keep the plan in this browser, then share a link with your staff or parents.This library helps you find the right drill. Inside UpLVL the right drill finds the player.
This library helps you find the right drill. Inside UpLVL the right drill finds the player.After every practice, UpLVL automatically surfaces the drills each player needs to work on most. See it for yourself.