In modern football most teams favor building up play from the back, which makes pressing of paramount importance. The side seeking the ball must devise a strategy and define key triggers for when, where, and how to press the opponent to regain possession of the ball and dictate the tempo of the game. The success of the pressing strategy, more than anything else, can determine who is in charge.
Unlike “applying pressure” which is done by a single player, pressing is a team act consisting of pressuring the carrier of the ball, cutting off passing lanes, and blocking off spaces. In doing so, a team is seeking either to inhibit development of play, or to immediately regain possession of the ball, or to force the opponent into premeditated spaces which will then become subject to a more intense and direct pressing to regain possession later down the road.
Let’s look more closely at two major categories of offensive pressings, and how applying one or the other depends on a team’s style of play, fitness level, and tactical awareness:
1. Pressing the middle to force the ball to the full backs: often executed by teams who tend to favor overall possession of the ball throughout the game. Such teams prefer to inhibit buildup of play through the middle, forcing the ball to the left or right backs, then pressing them to regain possession. Since the pressing is concentrated on the extremities of the field, it usually has a higher chance of succeeding. However, once the possession is regained, these teams prefer to pass around the ball and think through what to do next.
2. Pressing the full back to force the ball through the midfield: often executed by teams who seek to create immediate danger and a direct route to goal once possession is regained. These teams will block passing lanes to the full backs and “invite” opponents to use central corridors to build up play. Once the ball reaches the opposing midfielder, the pressing team will collapse players towards the middle to regain possession and try to create immediate danger.
Football, of course, is a fluid and complex game. Pressing demands a high level of focus, and therefore it is not possible to apply it constantly throughout the game. It also carries high risks as it stretches the team and creates loads of space if the opponent manages to outmaneuver it. It is therefore equally important for the pressing side to know when to let up and fall back into defensive shape.
