PRESSING

MECHANISMS:
FOCUSING ON COVER
SHADOWS AND
PRESSING TRAPS
This article will focus on the importance of cover shadows in the
pressing movement and pressing trap possibilities in different
systems.

The pressing movement requires a lot of factors – like high

defensive-line, ball-oriented movements, proper usage of cover
shadows etc. – in order to be effective. Because when you press,
there are certain areas on the field, which are not under control, so
you must cut the opponent’s connections towards these areas. And
what is the best way to do that? With using cover shadows properly.

There are 2 basic and essential pressing concepts: vertical- and

horizontal compactness. With vertical compactness you may tighten
the space between the lines, and maintain an appropriate connection
between the players -so they are able to help each other, if needed.
A common mistake is that the defensive-line is too deep in a
pressing situation, so for example the FB can’t step up and press –
the opponent’s FB, if needed -, because he is too far away.

This is what happens, when you try to press without a high

defensive-line. pic.twitter.com/Ur62Sd5CGl
— István Beregi (@szteveo) April 1, 2016

As most of the pressing movements force the opponent towards the

flanks, it’s important to provide time for the FBs to adapt according
to the pressing’s direction. With horizontal compactness you
maintain an adequate lateral distance between the players, so there
won’t be vertical passing lanes wide open, which may be exploited
easily. Another aspect of the horizontal compactness is that you
need to shift towards the ball in order to create a numerical
superiority at the ball’s zone, so you may regain possession as soon
as possible.
Example for a badly executed pressing movement. CF uses his
cover shadow to close the right side of the pitch, but the players
don’t make ball oriented shifts, therefore they don’t have a
numerical superiority in the pressing’s zone – lack of both vertical-
and horizontal compactness.
Liverpool’s orientation mistake in a pressing movement against
Dortmund from yesterday. LCB can’t step up to close down the
RW, as it would open up a huge space for CF to run into. Plus, bad
usage of the cover shadow from the LW, a winger should always
block the passing lane towards the halfspace in a pressing situation.

When pressing the opponent’s build-up, basically there are 2 options

– but this may vary according to the opponent’s build-up system:
  pressing the CBs with the winger
 pressing the CBs with a CM
Against a 2 CB system I prefer, when the CM pressures the CB –
and then behind him the DM takes his position -, but against a 3 CB
system it’s better to press the wide CBs with the wingers (and then
the FBs should step up).

Dortmund’s kind of ‘half-

press’ against Bayern. LW attacks the RCB, but as the LB doesn’t step up,
it’s easy to play out of the pressure. Orientation and shifting problem.
GIF: Bayern playing through Dortmund’s pressing. 
Examples of proper shifting, when the winger attacks the CB.
Bayern’s pressing against Dortmund’s 3 CB-system. As the DM
drops their defensive shape forms a 5-4-1 -advantages already
discussed here-,  therefore both the LB and the LCB may step up to
close down their own man. LW using his cover shadow properly, as
he closes down the vertical passing lane towards the halfspace,
forcing the opponent to the flank -to RB. Plus important to note the
high defensive-line, therefore these shifting movements are more
flexible – vertical compactness. On the second picture we can see
how Bayern’s passing lane oriented pressing system works.
GIF: Bayern’s passing lane-oriented pressing system.
Ingolstadt’s pressing system is very similar to the Bayern one,
though there the DM is not as deep, but he does the same dropping
movement, if needed. Here is an example about their system against
Bayern. Although here the RW is open, but with the cover shadows
they are trying to cut Bayern’s access towards the RCM-RW. Also
DM could step higher to prevent the numerical advantage there, or
LCM may move a little laterally towards the sideline, so his cover
shadow would block RCM.
A much better pressing from Ingolstadt against Bayern. DM
drops, therefore LB may step up in the pressing
movement. pic.twitter.com/1WxTlqknaL
— István Beregi (@szteveo) April 5, 2016

Good usage of cover shadows, even Neuer's rotation to Lahm

was defended well. That's why the high line is
essential. pic.twitter.com/NAXhuNTFBD
 — István Beregi (@szteveo) April 5, 2016

There is a new element of the pressing movement: the pressing trap.

Without using cover shadows properly, you can’t trap efficiently,
and that could be very dangerous. If you create a pressing trap, you
must have adequate horizontal shifts to cut the opponent’s access in
the ball’s zone. Vertically there are 3 forms of pressing traps:

 Pressing trap in the centre

 Pressing trap in the halfspaces
 Pressing trap in the flanks : best area create a trap, because
that’s when the pressing shape may be the narrowest – even
being overcompact is not a problem -, as this grants the
access towards the ball – plus the sideline acts as a defender
as well
Horizontally 2 forms: if you press properly, you won’t have any
players in the defensive third.

 Attacking third
 Middle third
The first of a pressing trap is that you let the opponent to build-up
from the back -GK short pass to CB mostly – then you force them
into a specific direction and area in where there is the pressing trap
itself -a controlled area. The easiest way to force them anywhere is
to use the cover shadows – to cut the opponent’s access towards the
far side -, and to make a bait, so they will enter into the trap –
easiest pressing trap bait is an open vertical passing lane or an open
lateral option. Although you need appropriate spacing and access to
the ball, because when you create a trap, the defensive shape may be
overcompact, so there is a huge uncontrolled space on the far-side.

Here are some ideas of different pressing traps.

Pressing trap in a 5-4-1 formation. Leaving a vertical passing lane
open, then cutting the LCM’s access towards his teammates.
Trapping in a 4-1-4-1. Again leaving LCM open, then closing down
the passing lanes. 5 players participates in the trap.
Pressing trap in a 4-4-2, forcing a lateral pass towards the DM, then
cutting his access.
Trapping the LCM in a 4-3-3 pressing shape.
An extra GIF: Bayern’s pressing trap-ish defending in a throw-in
situation.

Pressing the opponent has been very popular lately, although

without understanding it’s principles -the high defensive line, cover
shadows, shifting etc. -, a pressing movement can not be as effective
as it should be.