Pressing

Pressing means a team applies coordinated pressure on the player in possession and nearby passing options, trying to force a turnover, a rushed pass or a mistake instead of retreating to defend deep. It can be applied across the whole pitch, known as a high press, or only once the ball enters certain zones.

The idea is central to modern football, with similar closing-down concepts in basketball, futsal and handball. Effective pressing depends on players moving as a unit and cutting off passing lanes, and on shared triggers such as a poor touch or a backward pass that signal the moment to spring the press.