What is a pressing trigger?
A trigger is an observable event that signals every outfield player to sprint into a pre-agreed pressing shape. Common triggers include:
- A back-pass to the goalkeeper
- A defender receiving with a poor first touch
- The ball travelling more than 2 seconds without a forward option
Trigger discipline vs chaos
High-press systems fail when triggers are individual rather than collective. Klopp's Liverpool and De Zerbi's sides train these cues daily to guarantee simultaneous jumps.