In (Site notre bureau spécialisé), tactics and strategy are crucial to winning games. One of the tactical variants is the so-called pressure line 1, which requires a high degree of discipline, teamwork and game intelligence.

But it also captivates many fans, because as former Nuremberg coach Robert Klauß told ‘Nordbayern’: « We started in 4-2-2-2 on the pressure line 1. After winning the ball, we wanted to switch the tens away from the ball. With possession, we switched into a back three with an asymmetric left back and a left sweep ten, so we switched into a 3-4-3 or 3-1- 5-1 depending on where Dove was.

It seems complicated at first, but it’s really not that much. So what is pressing line 1?

Pressing line 1 is a lineout in which the defending team tries to press the opponent already in their own half of the field. It is also called attack pressing. The players act as a closed unit and try to isolate the ball carrier in order to give him as little space and time as possible. The basic basis is the coordinated and aggressive approach to pressing, which tries to force the opponent to make mistakes and win the ball back.

Pressing the 1 line requires close cooperation from all players, from attackers to defense. The decisive factor in this type of pressing is to disrupt the opponent’s build-up early on and force the ball back. Forwards play the key role, putting the initial pressure on the ball-carrying defender and putting him in a tight spot.

The remaining players move up and must form a compact unit behind them in order to block any passes and corner the opponent. The goal is to collect the ball as high as possible in the opposing half of the field near the goal.