They allow you to gain advantages in flow, to move across defensive zones, to move / stay higher up the pitch and they allow for progressive receptions.

It‘s great to see more teams (Inter, Girona, Arsenal, Real Madrid) using longer horizontal and progressive dismarking movements.

Introduce yourself with four footballers.

5 vs 5 + 1

- teams play 4-2 in possession and 3-2 out of possession
- teams can score by passing in to the mini goals or by a fullback dribbling out of the playing area and through the gate
- restarts with ‘goal kick

4 vs 4 + 3

- possession team plays with fixed positions
- defending players are locked to their zone but can step in to the middle zone to defend
- 7 passes = 1 point
- middle playing turning and dribbling out of the middle zone = 1 point
- tasks change after 8 turnovers

Here are two exercises I especially enjoyed coaching. Both of them are designed to be fun as well as develop pressing related skills.