Ralf Peter - Soccer Tactics: Types of Pressing

Pros and Cons of Midfield Pressing, High Pressure and Low Pressure

Prior Announcement – Worldwide famous author publishes a series of articles on Soccerpilot

The field can be divided into three zones. If Pressing is applied in the opponent’s half or close to the opponent’s goal, it is called High-Pressure or Forechecking. This is a hockey term where player apply pressure in the attacking third.

If a team drops into its own half to defend, this is called Low-Pressure. The most common type of Pressing is Midfield Pressing. Pressing is applied in the area of 15m distance from halfway line in both the opponent’s half and the team’s own half.

Midfield Pressing - The most common type of Pressing

Graphic 01 shows the generic area of Midfield Pressing which can be slightly adjusted towards either a teams own goal or the opponents goal depending on the coach’s philosophy.

Pros and Cons of Midfield Pressing

Pros:

• Good starting position for defending where the distance to own goal is not too far. The shorter distance to the opponent’s goal allows for continuing play effectively.
• Depending on the game situation, a team is able to actively force opponents to one side, approach opponents and deny opportunities.

Cons:

• Dangerous game situations on a switch of play and diagonal balls.
• The player in possession (opposing defender) does not receive constant pressure. Therefore, the defending team must react to passes more often and cannot dictate the game as much.

High Pressure

The graphics 02 and 03 show High Pressure in its preparation stage and in its final stage. It also highlights the space in which High Pressure should be applied.

High Pressure is being developed through Midfield-Pressing The graphics show that High Pressure is being developed through Midfield-Pressing. The defending team waits for a short pass to initiate the attack by the attacking team and immediately pushes up as a team as shown in graphic 03.

Pros and Cons of High Pressure

Pros:

• Defending actively is almost always possible.
• Short distance towards the opponent’s goal after winning the ball back.

Cons:

• The defending team defends high up the field and further away from its own goal.
• It is always more difficult to defend big space than it is to defend smaller space.
• Long balls in behind the defense can become dangerous situations.
• Poor tactical behaviour of just one player is more difficult to compensate for than using other defensive strategies.

Low Pressure

The graphic 04 shows space to be covered when applying Low Pressure.

As shown here, the entire defending team is positioned in its own half and closer to its own goal to stay compact.

Pros and Cons of Low Pressure

Pros:

• Ideal compactness.
• Through balls are nearly impossible as the defending team is close to its own goal.
• Lots of space in behind the opponent’s defense for quick counter-attacks after regaining possession.

Cons:

• Good compactness, however, the defending team mostly reacts to situations initiated by the attacking team (passive approach).
• Long way to get behind the ball when possession is lost, especially for Forwards.
• The opposing team can play long balls towards the penalty box where second balls could become dangerous for the defending team if not won immediately.

Next article: Basics on Pressing

Be sure not to miss anything and subscribe free of charge to our News, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter or Google+.