LATE TO THE PRESS, WHAT NOW?

At higher levels, you will be late.

That is not the problem.

The problem is what you do next.

THE SITUATION.

You are far from the player.

He has control.

He can see you and his options.

Your press is not threatening.

WHY YOU’RE VULNERABLE.

When you press late,

you expose space behind you.

Space appears where the press starts.

The later you are,

the easier that space is to attack.

THE MISTAKE.

You are late,

but you still try to press aggressively.

Now you get played through.

Or cut off into central space.

THE SHIFT.

When you are late,

it is no longer about the ball.

It is about the space.

TAKE SPACE FIRST.

Sprint to the most dangerous space.

Usually central.

Do not chase the player.

Beat him to where he wants to go.

WHEN YOU CAN PRESS.

If you are already close,

inside that two-meter distance,

then you can be aggressive.

WHEN YOU CANNOT PRESS.

If you are far,

do not commit.

Hold your position.

Steer the play wide.

DELAY THE GAME.

Accept the transition.

Do not try to win it immediately.

Slow it down.

Wait for support.

PRINCIPLE.

Close = press.

Late = protect space.

That is how you control the next phase.