How to evaluate a football press without watching every minute

The four indicators

The four indicators are: the trigger zone, the cover-shadow, the regains, and the counter-press. The four indicators together give you a read of whether the press is working, whether it is sustainable, and whether the opposition has found an answer.

The trigger zone

The trigger zone is the area of the pitch where the press begins. A high trigger zone is the opposition’s defensive third. A low trigger zone is the opposition’s attacking third. The higher the trigger zone, the more aggressive the press. The lower the trigger zone, the more conservative the press.

A high trigger zone requires a defensive line that sits high. A high defensive line is vulnerable to balls in behind. A side that presses from a high trigger zone is accepting the risk of balls in behind in exchange for the chance to win the ball high up the pitch.

The cover-shadow

The cover-shadow is the area of the pitch that the pressing player blocks with their body shape. The cover-shadow is the most important indicator of whether the press is coordinated. If the cover-shadow blocks the passing lane the pressing player is trying to block, the press is coordinated. If the cover-shadow does not block the passing lane, the press is individual.

A coordinated press has every pressing player’s cover-shadow aligned. The cover-shadows form a wall of bodies that block the opposition’s short passing options. The opposition has to play the ball long or play the ball into the press.

The regains

The regains are the number of times the side wins the ball back within five seconds of losing it. The regains are the most important outcome indicator of a press. A side that wins the ball back within five seconds of losing it is converting the press into a chance to attack.

A high regain count means the press is working. A low regain count means the press is forcing the opposition to play long but not winning the second ball. A low regain count is a sign the press is unsustainable.

The counter-press

The counter-press is the press that happens within five seconds of the side losing the ball. The counter-press is the press that recovers the ball after the side has lost it. The counter-press is the most important indicator of the side’s defensive identity.

A side with a strong counter-press wins the ball back before the opposition can transition. A side with a weak counter-press gives the opposition time to transition. The counter-press is the difference between a side that defends high and a side that defends deep.

Putting it together

A side with a high trigger zone, a coordinated cover-shadow, a high regain count and a strong counter-press is pressing well. The side is winning the ball high, winning the second ball, and recovering the ball quickly. The side is a high-press side in form.

A side with a high trigger zone, an individual cover-shadow, a low regain count and a weak counter-press is pressing badly. The side is forcing long balls but not winning the second ball. The side is a high-press side under pressure to drop the line.

A side with a low trigger zone, a deep defensive line and a strong counter-press is a counter-pressing side. The side is happy to let the opposition have the ball and to win the ball back when the opposition makes a mistake. The side is a low-block side in form.