Skip to main content
UploadLanguage (EN)Support
BusinessMobileSocial MediaMarketingTechnologyArt & PhotosCareerDesignEducationPresentations & Public SpeakingGovernment & NonprofitHealthcareInternetLawLeadership & ManagementAutomotiveEngineeringSoftwareRecruiting & HRRetailSalesServicesScienceSmall Business & EntrepreneurshipFoodEnvironmentEconomy & FinanceData & AnalyticsInvestor RelationsSportsSpiritualNews & PoliticsTravelSelf ImprovementReal EstateEntertainment & HumorHealth & MedicineDevices & HardwareLifestyle
Philip Cauchi, profile picture
Uploaded byPhilip Cauchi
PDF, PPTX9,503 views

Pressing in soccer

Pressing is a collective defensive tactic aimed at disrupting the opposition's build-up play and regaining possession as high up the field as possible. It requires pressure on the ball carrier to deny time and passing options, as well as cutting off forward passing lanes and forcing lateral or backward passes. Effective pressing relies on predefined pressing zones and triggers, as well as compactness, communication, and limiting the opposition's playing options. The type of pressing employed depends on the team's style of play and player attributes.

Sports◦
Download as PDF, PPTX
Pressing in Soccer Philip Joe Cauchi – 2017 An analysis of pressing, its application and practices
Pressing is a collective team effort aimed at disrupting the opposition’s build-up with the aim of winning the ball It is different than defending which means closing down space in the defending third thus preventing the opponents from creating an opportunity to score For Pressing to be effective there should be pressure on the ball thus denying the opponents’ time and space to play
Aim is to win the ball high up the field as close to our opponents’ goal as possible If this fails we drop behind the line of the ball Cut off forward passing options Force passing lateral or backward passes Attack passes not player in possession
Team members must know the predefined pressing zones and pressing triggers Pressing zones are predefined areas where the team moves and aggressively attacks the ball. It is required that the team not in possession of the ball moves itself to eliminate the possibility of the ball escaping these areas, especially to prevent the opponents from playing forward closer to our goal
Pressing triggers offers the team the right opportunity to put pressure on the ball and reduce playing space for the opponents. Typical pressing triggers are: 1. Bad first touch 2. Receiver drops his head to look at the ball 3. Cross-field passes 4. Opponent in possession with his back to the goal 5. Non-accurate pass 6. Player on the ball is isolated with no passing options
Compactness Forcing Play Reduce playing options of opponents Open up pressing traps Collaboration and Discipline Communication (verbal and non-verbal) Mark space and screen receivers – shadow marking
Type of Pressing: Low Pressing Game Model: Counter-Attacking Suitable: 1. If we have quick forwards who will exploit the space behind the opposition’s defence. 2. Technically opponents are stronger than us. 3. We have strong players and players who can play long deep passes.
Type of Pressing: Medium Pressing Game Model: Dominant or Direct play Suitable: 1. If we have players who can close the opposition’s passing gaps well. 2. If the opponents have quick players and thus prevent them from exploiting the space between our goal and the defensive line.
Type of Pressing: High Pressing Game Model: Dominant Pro- active Play Suitable: 1. If we have players who are quick to press to reduce the opposition’s playing options up our team losing possession. 2. If we have attack-oriented players.
Defender (Red player) in trouble as is fully pressed by the opponent reducing his playing vision and options Teammate marks closest option
Wingers tucked in Compact in midfield Avoid line-breaking passes
Cutting options for the central defender – forcing him to play long and switch play
Create a strong zone, cutting off passing options and preventing escape routes
No short passing options and escape route (switch of play) for the player on the ball, forcing opponents to play long into areas
Pass to GK is cut-off, 2, 8, 10 and 4 are out of the game.
Wingers remain wide We are stronger in midfield and outnumber opponents
Back pass option eliminated Full back out of passing lane Central midfield covered
Opponent with his back to our goal Aggressive pressure Cut off passing options – 9 and 11
Close down escape routes Push opponents away from our goal Cover behind the press Our players closer to each other to circulate the ball upon winning it Higher line of restraint = opponents further away from goal
Who is our major ball- winner/s? Can we direct the opponents towards him/them? Highest success of winning the ball is in this zone
Open play No pressure on the ball Threat to the space behind the defence Back four drops Opponents’ runs from deep positions
Cut off passing lanes to opponents into deep positions to prevent line breaking passes Intelligent positioning required and team cooperation Cover Marking by the number 9
Whole team moves forward contrasting space both on the ball and the surrounding zone. This makes it harder for the opponent to build-up play constructively and also increases the possibility of errors.
Only push out if the ball is covered and the goalkeeper cannot kick long. Be aware of opponents ready to attack the space behind the defence on the goalkeeper’s long kick. Our goalkeeper should be ready to come out if this happens.
Front three work together to prevent short constructive build-up.
Goalkeeper forced to play long From the same action short passing options are eliminated.
Form of preventive marking (zonal or man) where the aim is to prevent the opposition from gaining territorial advancement on winning possession and/or enable our team to win the ball immediately upon losing it. 11 lost the ball. 3 bounced to regain possession while 8 is cover marking 10
Ready for second balls and to also prevent the counter
Throw In High pressing strategy after the throw in
4v2 Rondo Team to coach: Reds Area: 12m x 12m Type: Warm-Up Description: The two defenders work together to win the ball from the four attackers. Play for 1 minute and then change the defenders.
Make Play Predictable on one side Team to coach: Reds Area: 20m x 15m Type: Practice Description: Play is 10v6 in favour of the white team. White team attempt to make ten consecutive passes to score a point. Reds aim to make the play predictable towards the opposite side to win the ball and score by guiding the ball through the red gate either by passing to a team mate with a through pass or by dribbling the ball.
Press to Win the Ball and Transition Team to coach: Whites Area: 15m x 12m Type: Practice Description: Play is 3v3 in the central area and two target players on each side flank. Whites aim to win the ball and transition by playing to either target player. After playing to a target player the white team aims to play towards the opposite target player.
Line Soccer – Pressing Game Team to coach: Whites Area: 25m x 15m Type: Game Description: Play is 4v4 where both teams aim to score by stopping the ball over the opposition’s goal line.
5v5 High Pressing Game Team to coach: Greens Area: 20m x 30m Type: Game Description: Play is 5v5 including the goalkeepers where rules are as normal but the width is bigger then the length. Therefore, the team not in possession must work in tandem to eliminate the opposition’s shooting options and win the ball.
5v6 High Pressing Game Team to coach: Reds Area: 35m x 40m Type: Game Description: Reds defend the three mini goals and score in the regular goal.
7v7+1 Two-Zone Pressing Game Team to coach: Reds Area: 50m x 55m Type: Game Description: Reds score two point if they win the ball in the upper zone and score from the same action. Neutral player plays with the team in possession.