How to Press in FIFA Pro Clubs and Win Games!!

Summary

This video is part of a tactics mini-series for Pro Clubs, focusing on team pressing strategies. The hosts discuss key concepts like triggers for pressing, stopping the opponent from playing out wide, and pressing as a coordinated unit. Using examples from matches involving the VPG champions, Real Sociedad, they explain how to press efficiently and avoid leaving gaps for the opposing team. The episode emphasizes teamwork and situational awareness in maintaining effective pressure. The hosts invite viewers to engage in the comments and share their experiences implementing these tactics.

Takeaways

• 😀 Team pressing is crucial in Pro Clubs, triggered by poor positioning, bad passes, or weak players.
• ⚽ Sociedad’s VPG champions serve as a great example of effective team pressing, with coordinated player movements.
• 🔄 Triggers for pressing are often bad passes or positioning mistakes, signaling the team to close down quickly.
• 🚫 Preventing the opponent from playing out wide is key, forcing them to play centrally where the press can dominate.
• 🎯 Positioning is crucial, with players strategically positioned to either cut off passes or pressure the receiver.
• 🔁 Pressing must happen as a unit; lone pressing wastes energy and leaves gaps in defense.
• 🏃‍♂️ Players must avoid pressing individually, as this can lead to gaps being exploited by the opposing team.
• 🎯 Mispositioning can lead to easy attacks down the wings, cutting out multiple defending players in one move.
• 🛑 Consistent pressing requires every player to understand the triggers and respond quickly to maintain pressure.
• 🔄 The goal is always to force the opponent inside, where central pressing can overwhelm and recover possession.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the video?

The video focuses on team pressing tactics in Pro Clubs, particularly using the example of Sociedad, the champions of VPG ePremiere, to demonstrate how to press effectively as a team.

What are 'triggers' in the context of team pressing?

Triggers refer to specific events that prompt the team to start pressing. These could be a bad pass, poor positioning, or identifying a weak opponent. Once one player recognizes a trigger, the rest of the team follows and presses together.

Why is it important to stop teams from playing down the wings?

Stopping teams from playing down the wings is crucial because allowing them to do so can bypass multiple defenders, giving them space and time to make dangerous plays. Forcing them to play inside keeps them in more congested areas where it's easier to regain possession.

What happens if a player presses alone without team support?

When a player presses alone, it can leave gaps in the team's formation, making it easier for the opposition to pass around them. It wastes energy and disrupts the team's cohesion, often leading to large open spaces for the opponent to exploit.

How should players position themselves to prevent teams from breaking out wide?

Players should position themselves strategically to cut off wide options, often staying halfway between pressing the ball and covering potential passes over the top. This prevents easy outlets and forces the opposition to play centrally, where the pressing team has more players ready to intercept.

What are the consequences of failing to block passes down the line?

Failing to block passes down the line can lead to the opposition bypassing several defenders, giving them a significant territorial advantage and often creating goal-scoring opportunities. It opens up large spaces for the opposition to exploit.

How does Sociedad effectively press as a unit?

Sociedad effectively presses by ensuring all players are on the same page. They block passing lanes, force the ball into crowded areas, and support each other in pressing as a unit. They avoid pressing individually and work together to cut off options for the opposition.

What are some key elements of Sociedad’s pressing game that can be applied to other teams?

Key elements include identifying pressing triggers, stopping the ball from going wide, pressing as a unit, and ensuring that every player is on board with the pressing plan. These tactics help prevent the opposition from finding space and maintain pressure on them throughout the match.

What should a defender do if the opposition is trying to play the ball over the top?

If the opposition tries to play the ball over the top, the defender should position themselves in such a way that they can both press if the ball comes to feet and be ready to track any runs behind them, preventing easy outlet passes or one-on-one situations.

What is the importance of pressing in numbers, as demonstrated by Sociedad?

Pressing in numbers is vital because it overwhelms the opposition, cutting off passing options and increasing the chances of regaining possession. It ensures that even if the ball gets past one player, there are others ready to intercept or apply pressure.