With the way football is widely known and accepted, it is a known fact that several countries have their own understanding of several tactics. However, since the game is widely the same, and the rules and tactics never change, it is therefore easy to say that these fundamental tactics just have different names and expressions in different parts of the world.
What is Gengen Pressing
Gengen pressing or ‘Gegenpress’ is a term that simply translates into counter-pressing. This tactic may have existed in the past, however, in modern football, it has been developed into what it is, by the manager of the Liverpool team, Jurgen Klopp. The tactic dictates that as soon as the ball possession is lost by a team, the entire team should ‘press’ or ‘hunt’ the ball, in a bid to get back possession. The tactic also works marvelously to prevent a successful counterattack by the opposing team.
When was this tactic first portrayed?
The tactic, with its current name, seems to be a relatively new technique. However, in football of the 1970s, the Dutch national team seemed to be playing in such a manner that could easily be equated to Gengen pressing in those times. The features that are included in counter pressing are simply overcrowding defenders, hard tackling and the general frustration of an opponent with the ball possession. This causes him to invariably let go of the ball. The Dutch National team ended up with a 4-0 win against their opponent the day this tactic was first used.
One important factor to consider with regards to counter pressing is to consider the overall placement of the team on the pitch. The team needs to be playing close together to quickly form a unit and press as such. This creates an illusion of an almost impenetrable attack, giving the pressing team an advantage over their opposing team.
Pressing in Modern Times, and Jurgen Klopp
Several teams have been seen to use such heavy defensive methods to win back ball possession. This is done especially to facilitate more goal scoring, according to the theory: more ball possession, greater chances of scoring goals. Klopp, the Liverpool manager, devised a means to make this defensive method an actual attack. He uses the 4-2-3-1 method with a higher back line. This crowds out the midfield portion and then the players hunt in packs. The goal is to let the regain of the ball possession be done as high up the field as possible. Any gamer playing a football game with real money slots ought to try it out and optimize all chances of scoring good goals.
The technique of gengen pressing needs a high level of discipline and coaching to get it done right. Players have to know when to stop pressing and fall back. It should take not more than 5 seconds to get back the ball. Several teams have used it much to their advantage. With the full understanding of this technique, any team would definitely have a great advantage in the game.
