i currently run a u13 boy footballs team. What would?

Football CoachCoach

I would do lots of little practices that let them make decisions based around pressing the ball. I would start with it being simple and the closest person must close the player down. You could do some drills passing and receiving and closing down and then build it up into some games where if they dont close down the team can hit a target player or score. Lots of 3v3 4v4 games where they must have a player each and if no-one presses or closes down its a goal!! get them to try to switch on quick from having posession to losing it, lots of posession games, 4v2 where the defenders work together to win the ball back, closest press the other supports and helps. some 1v1 where after you play the pass you must move up to defend and not stand still. maybe some practices where one team are trying to drive forward from midfield and coach who goes out and how the others react to that - they are most likely not sure who goes out so none of them do!

Football CoachCoach

We coach our boys to mirror what the red arrows stunt team does i.e. there is only ever 1 red 1, that player pressures the ball whilst he has 2 wing (red 2)who act as cover if red 1, is beaten. If the man is beaten then one of the red 2 gets promoted to red 1 and pressures the ball whilst the beaten red 1, drops into support to be red 2.

Football CoachCoach

Set up an attacking line and a defensive line. The attacking line don't move but just pass the ball to the next player in line, the objective is for the defence to get up and tag the ball carrier before ball reaches the last receiver.

Also, the 51% practice is good and you can run a 1v1, 2v2, 3v3 etc. You mark out a square (size appropriate to amount of players) and mark out a line of cones exactly half way. Defenders and attackers stand on the end lines opposite each other. The aim is for the defender(s) to prevent the attackers from getting past the cones (50% line) and always attempt to get up quick and make the tackle in the opposing half.

For game sense practice, mark out the attacking line, tackle line and gain line. Scrum half passes ball to the 1st receiver who sets off the attack, the objective is for the defence to push up quick and make the tackle at the tackle line or beyond. This is a good practice as it gives you an immediate measure of where your team are likely to tackle and gives them a goal of where they should be tackling. You can then push the team to tackle even further beyond the tackle line setting the tackle line closer to the attacking line. In defence, players become more eager to push forward quicker, once this happens you need to pay attention to the alignment and make sure players are keeping defensive shape and not leaving gaps.

Hope this helps.