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.

1. Pressing in Soccer
Philip Joe Cauchi – 2017
An analysis of pressing, its application and practices

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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.

9. 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.

10. 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.

12. Defender (Red player) in trouble as is fully
pressed by the opponent reducing his
playing vision and options
Teammate marks
closest option

13. Wingers tucked in
Compact in midfield
Avoid line-breaking passes

14. Cutting options for the central
defender – forcing him to play long
and switch play

15. Create a strong zone, cutting off
passing options and preventing
escape routes

16. No short passing options and escape
route (switch of play) for the player on
the ball, forcing opponents to play long
into areas

17. Pass to GK is cut-off, 2, 8, 10
and 4 are out of the game.

18. Wingers remain wide
We are stronger in midfield
and outnumber opponents

19. Back pass option
eliminated
Full back out of
passing lane
Central midfield
covered

20. Opponent with his back to our
goal
Aggressive pressure
Cut off passing options
– 9 and 11

21. 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

22. 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

23. Open play
No pressure on the ball
Threat to the space behind
the defence
Back four drops
Opponents’ runs from
deep positions

24. 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

25. 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.

26. 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.

27. Front three work together to
prevent short constructive
build-up.

28. Goalkeeper forced
to play long
From the same action short
passing options are
eliminated.

29. 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

30. Ready for second balls
and to also prevent the
counter

31. Throw In
High pressing strategy
after the throw in

33. 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.

34. 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.

35. 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.

36. 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.

37. 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.

38. 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.

39. 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.