Counter-press

The definition and application of the counter-press is somewhat new to futsal but it serves to explain an in-play action which is now ever more commonplace given the increase in high-block and high-press approaches.

The TSG noted that the counter-press can occur within its own phase or action, but that it is also a constituent component of a recovery action or phase.

The counter-press should not solely be seen as one individual player’s action in winning back the ball immediately after possession is lost but rather one where anticipation, balanced with caution, is exercised by their team-mates to support the press. Anticipation is important otherwise the effort of recovering possession may be wasted by an opposition overload and at times it was possible to see instances where a team regained possession with an effective counter-press only to immediately lose it again due to insufficient personnel within the immediate vicinity of the ball.

From this World Cup, those teams more minded to a high press and with the requisite physical qualities – such as Russia, Portugal, Spain and Argentina – were visibly attuned to this ploy of immediate ball pressure with an intent to regain possession. This requires aggression in the initial recovery phase, with pressure on the ball applied immediately.