Ball Pressure

What is ball pressure?

Ball pressure is a defensive tactic where players move quickly to limit the options of the opponent in possession of the ball. The goal is to force the ball carrier to make a quick decision, possibly leading to a mistake, a poor pass, or losing possession. This strategy disrupts the opponent’s play, making it harder for them to launch an attack. It focuses on being proactive rather than just maintaining a defensive shape, aiming to win the ball back or push the opponent into a less dangerous area of the pitch.

How ball pressure is applied

Ball pressure isn’t just about running at the player with the ball. It involves a mix of movement, body position, and timing to be effective. Here’s how it works:

– Closing down space: The key is to quickly reduce the distance between the defender and the player with the ball. This limits the opponent’s time to look for options, dribble, or pass. The defender aims to get close as the opponent receives or controls the ball.
– Arriving with intensity and purpose: The defender should approach with speed but in a controlled way. Rushing in recklessly can lead to mistakes or fouls. The idea is to pressure the opponent and force them into making a quick decision.
– Body shape and angle of approach: The defender’s body position is important. They should approach from an angle that pushes the opponent towards a less dangerous area (like the sideline or into another defender), stopping them from moving into a more central, threatening space. The defender’s body should be low and ready to react, with arms slightly out for balance and to help with challenges.
– Forcing the opponent: The aim isn’t always to win the ball straight away but to push the opponent into a less useful action. This could mean forcing them to use their weaker foot, move into a crowded area, or pass the ball backwards.
– Showing and screening: The defender uses their body to “show” the opponent one option (usually the less threatening one) while blocking other more dangerous passing or dribbling options. This requires good awareness and communication with teammates.
– Timing the tackle/challenge: If the chance comes, the defender times their tackle or interception carefully. But the first goal is often to disrupt the opponent, making it hard for them to decide what to do next, rather than trying to win the ball straight away.
– Preventing turns: When the opponent has their back to goal, effective ball pressure means getting close and stopping them from turning to face forward. This forces them to play the ball back or out wide.

Tactical benefits of applying ball pressure

Applying effective ball pressure brings several tactical advantages to a football team, helping both the defence and attack:

– Regaining possession higher up the pitch: By closing down opponents quickly, teams can win the ball back closer to the opponent’s goal. This puts them in a good attacking position, reducing the distance to score. This is very reminiscent of Klopp’s Liverpool and their intensive ball pressure.
– Disrupting opponent build-up play: Intense pressure stops the opposition from building their attacks smoothly. It forces them to make rushed passes, long balls, or errors, disrupting their offensive plans.
– Forcing turnovers and mistakes: When players are under pressure, they are more likely to misplace passes, lose control, or make poor decisions. This leads to turnovers, which the pressing team can take advantage of right away.
– Limiting opponent options: Pressure reduces the time the opponent has to think and pass the ball. It forces them to make predictable or safer options, like passing backwards or sideways.
– Controlling the pace of the game: A team that applies consistent ball pressure can control the game’s speed. They can push the pace when pressing high and slow it down after winning the ball, managing the flow of the match.
– Creating traps and pressing triggers: Ball pressure is part of a bigger pressing plan, where specific moments (like a pass to the sideline or a weak touch) act as “triggers” for the team to press together. This can create situations where the pressing team has more players in key areas, making it harder for the opponent to escape.
– Psychological impact: Constant ball pressure can mentally wear out the opponent. It stops them from feeling comfortable with the ball, reduces their confidence, and leads to frustration, increasing the chance of mistakes.

Risks of applying ball pressure

While effective, ball pressure comes with some risks and challenges. Teams need to balance these with the benefits:

– Exposure of defensive space: Aggressive pressing can push defenders higher up the pitch, leaving gaps behind. If the press is bypassed, it creates space for long passes or quick counter-attacks, making the defence more vulnerable.
– Physical exertion and fatigue: High-intensity pressing requires a lot of energy. Pressing constantly, especially against skilled opponents, can lead to fatigue, reduced effectiveness, and an increased risk of injury as the match goes on.
– Vulnerability to technical skill: Skilled opponents with good ball control and dribbling can bypass the press by evading challenges, making quick passes, or using clever combinations to break through.
– Risk of fouls and cards: Pressing aggressively increases the chance of fouls, especially if the timing isn’t right. This can result in free-kicks in dangerous areas and possible yellow or red cards for the players pressing.
– Loss of shape and disorganisation: If the team doesn’t press together, players may press out of position, leaving gaps. This disorganises the team and makes it easier for the opponent to find space and exploit numerical advantages.
– Mental demands: Pressing constantly requires focus and quick decision-making. A lapse in concentration can allow the press to be broken easily.

Individual player responsibilities in ball pressure

Effective ball pressure depends on each player understanding and carrying out specific duties within the team’s defensive strategy. It’s a team effort, but individual actions are key:

– Recognition of triggers: Players need to recognise when to start applying pressure. Common triggers include an opponent receiving a poor pass, a weak touch, turning their back to goal, or a pass into an area where the sideline can act as an extra defender.
– Speed and angle of approach: When a trigger is identified, the nearest defender must close down the ball carrier quickly. The angle of approach is important to force the opponent into a less dangerous area (e.g., towards the sideline or into a crowded central area) and block obvious passing options.
– Body shape and stance: As the defender approaches, their body should be low, balanced, and slightly angled. This helps them react to the opponent’s moves, whether it’s jockeying, tackling, or blocking a pass or shot. Showing one option while blocking another is crucial.
– Cover shadow: Players must be aware of their “cover shadow”, the area they block or screen with their body. This involves positioning themselves to prevent a pass to another dangerous player while still pressing the ball carrier.
– Communication: Communication, both verbal and non-verbal, is essential. Players pressing the ball should call out to teammates, telling them who they are pressing and where they are trying to force the opponent. This helps teammates adjust their positions and offer cover or support.
– Patience and discipline: While the initial approach is quick, the final stage of pressure often needs patience. Rushing in without control can result in being dribbled past or committing a foul. Players must stay disciplined and not overcommit, especially in central areas.
– Follow-through: After the initial pressure, players must continue tracking the opponent or the ball, ready to react to a quick pass or change in possession. The pressure continues until the danger is cleared or possession is regained.

Team-wide coordination in ball pressure

While individual effort is important, the real effectiveness of ball pressure comes from coordinated team play. It’s not about isolated actions, but about synchronized movement where every player knows their role in supporting the initial presser and maintaining defensive strength.

Key aspects of team-wide coordination include:

– Collective shifting: As one player moves out to apply pressure, their teammates must adjust and cover the space left behind. This helps prevent gaps in defence and keeps the team’s shape. Midfielders might drop deeper, wide players move in, and defenders adjust their positions.
– Cover and balance: When a player presses the ball, a teammate (often a central midfielder or full-back if the pressure is wide) provides cover behind them. This cover acts as a safety net, ready to intercept a pass or step in if the ball carrier gets past the initial defender. Keeping balance across the pitch stops the opponent from easily switching play to an open side.
– Pressing triggers and cues: Teams often use pre-defined pressing triggers. These are specific actions by the opponent that signal the team to start pressing. Common triggers include a pass to the sideline, a backward pass, a poor touch by the opponent, or when an opponent’s defender receives the ball with their back to goal. All players need to recognise these triggers and react together.
– Communication: Clear and constant communication is crucial. Players will shout instructions like “Press!”, “Cover!”, “Man on!” or “Force wide!” to guide teammates and make sure everyone is on the same page. Non-verbal cues, like eye contact, also play a big role.
– Numerical superiority in pressing zones: The goal of coordinated ball pressure is to have more players in the area where the ball is, creating a numerical advantage. With more players in a confined space, the pressing team has a better chance of winning the ball or forcing a mistake.
– The “domino effect”: Successful ball pressure creates a “domino effect.” As one player presses, it forces the ball carrier to make a quick pass. The player receiving the pass is then met with pressure from another teammate, continuing the cycle and denying the opponent time and space.

Measuring and analysing ball pressure

In modern football, the effectiveness of ball pressure is increasingly measured and analysed using advanced metrics and data tools. Platforms like Sportmonks enhance this analysis with their football pressure index, a real-time metric using weighted statistics like attacks and possession to evaluate team pressure. These provide coaches, analysts, and fans with objective insights:

– Pressure events/actions: Data providers track “pressure events” or “pressure actions,” which count when a player closes down an opponent in possession, even if they don’t win the ball. This helps measure the defensive effort to reduce the opponent’s time and space.
– Pressures per minute (PPM) / Pressures per opposition touch (PPOT): These metrics measure pressure efforts based on how long a player is on the field or how many touches the opponent has. They help assess a player’s or team’s intensity and work rate in closing down the ball.
– Successful pressures: This metric tracks instances where pressure leads to a positive result for the defending team, such as forcing a turnover, a loose ball, or regaining possession straight away.
– Defensive actions in the attacking third: This measures how often a team wins the ball or makes defensive actions (like tackles or interceptions) in the opponent’s defensive third. A high number indicates an effective high press and strong ball pressure.
– Passes per defensive action (PPDA): This metric quantifies a team’s pressing intensity. It’s calculated by dividing the number of passes an opposition team makes by the number of defensive actions (like tackles, interceptions, fouls, or aerial duels) made by the pressing team in the opponent’s half. A lower PPDA means the press is intense and effective, as the opponent makes fewer passes before facing a defensive action.
– Heatmaps and pressure zones: Visual tools like heatmaps show where a team or player applies pressure on the pitch. This helps to spot pressing traps, areas of high defensive activity, and potential weaknesses.
– Possession won in high areas: This measures how often a team regains possession in the attacking third, showing the success of a high press driven by ball pressure.