A grassroots football coaching publication

9v9 · Issue 02 · Chapter 2 · Principle four of four

Go together, recover together

If one presses, others close the next pass; if beaten, recover as a unit. Pressing depends on help from nearby teammates, not one player chasing alone.

Fig. 4 · Go together, recover together9v9 · 3-3-2
Example: one forward presses but the next passing route remains open.Forward 9 advances to press an opponent in midfield; forward 10 and midfielder 8 stay too far from the opponent's other short option.3521187910OPEN PASS

Example: one forward presses but the next passing route remains open.

Example: forwards 9 and 10 work in a pair while 8 stays close enough to help protect the next pass.A forward approaches the opponent on the ball; their partner and midfielder 8 take nearby covering positions rather than leaving the next passing lane entirely open.3521187910TOGETHER

Example: forwards 9 and 10 work in a pair while 8 stays close enough to help protect the next pass.

Example: if the first press is beaten, nearby teammates recover together instead of chasing the same opponent.After the opposition move play past the first forward, midfielder 8 and the back three recognise the need to protect the central route; forwards begin to recover.3521187910RECOVER

Example: if the first press is beaten, nearby teammates recover together instead of chasing the same opponent.

How We Play illustration based on reviewed guidance. Pictures show ideas, not fixed moves.
Key
  • Us
  • Them
  • Ball
  • Gap

Say it on the touchline

Are teammates close enough to help?

The first defender delays; others must decide which spaces and passing options to protect.

✓ Coaching reviewed · 20 October 2026

Written by Niall Walsh, grassroots football coach and founder of How We Play. Coaching reviewed by David Wilson on 20 October 2026.

What to look for

  1. Does the first presser have help behind and alongside?
  2. Can the other forward restrict the easy central pass?
  3. After pressure is beaten, does the team recover into useful positions?

Positions that use this rule

  1. GKGoalkeeperStart, see, speak
  2. 5Centre-backSee the whole picture
  3. 3 · 2Outside defendersDefend, support, cover
  4. 8Central midfielderConnect both ends
  5. 11 · 7Wide midfieldersWidth and hard work
  6. 9 · 10Two forwardsPartners, not passengers