97-P9 · Functional practice · U15 up to adult
Beat the Press to Play Out (4231)
Beat the Press to Play Out (4231) is a functional practice for U15 up to adult teams (12 players, 50 × 45 yards) that works on passing, movement and finishing.
Master the art of building from the back with this functional practice, designed to refine your team's ability to navigate a high press.
Opens in Touchtight Club · 14-day free trial · Card required
1:59 - Age group
- U15 up to adult
- Players
- 12 players
- Area
- 50 × 45 yards (1/2 Pitch)
- Time
- 20–30 minutes
- Goalkeeper
- Yes
- Coaches
- 1
- Practice type
- Functional practice
- Coach level
- Advanced (B Licence)
How it's set up
This functional practice takes place in a 50 by 45-yard area and focuses on developing Phase 1 build up play when setup in a 4231/442 against a 433. To begin, the goalkeeper passes to the CB, triggering the front 3 to press. The objective is for the team in possession to beat the press either by playing through to the midfielder in the central zone or down the sides through the fullbacks. One midfielder (Blue 4) can enter the middle zone and can be pressed by one opposition midfielder, while the other two midfielders play in the final zone. Once the team have broken past the press, they must combine to finish in either one of the three mini goals. If the defenders win possession, this triggers a counter to finish past the goalkeeper.
Key coaching points
- Full backs must provide width - stretches the opposition and creates options
- Recognise space to play through or around opposition press
- Create effective angles to receive passes in first phase
Also in the full practice
- 3 progressions to make it harder as your players improveIn Club
- 3 player questions to check understanding during the practiceIn Club
- The coach-led video (1:59) how to set it up and deliver itIn Club
- Add it to your team's Dugout drop it into a session plan with your warm-up and gameIn Club
Open 97-P9 in Club → 14-day free trial
Run it with your team.
Watch 97-P9 in full, then add it to your next session. It's one of over 1,000 practices in the Touchtight Club library.
Related practices
97-P7 · Pattern of play
How to Play Out From the Back (4231)
This engaging pattern of play develops both technical precision and tactical awareness for effective build-up play in a 4231 formation.
31-P10 · Phase of play
Beat The Press to Attack (433)
This phase of play practice focuses on breaking through a press with structured build-up play and quick combinations to finish.
54-P9 · Functional practice
Break Lines to Attack
This 4 v 4 + 3 possession rondo sharpens build-up play, focusing on a back 3 and midfield 3 while incorporating floaters for fluid movement.