There are a few key reasons why it's important for the coach to communicate the reasons for changing to a high-pressing, attacking style of play:

• Players are more likely to fully commit to something if they understand the rationale behind it. Simply ordering them to play a certain way may meet resistance.
• Veteran players may be especially resistant after playing so long in a defensive style. Explaining the logic reduces pushback.
• Knowing the tactical and strategic benefits enables players to better visualize and execute the new system.
• The high press requires coordinated, cohesive effort. Players need to grasp how it collectively benefits the team.
• It may take time to master the new technique and tactics. Understanding the end goal helps players persevere through the learning process.
• A new playing style can alter roles and responsibilities. Players need insight to adapt decision-making and positioning.
• Buying into the coach's vision creates belief and motivation. This boosts effort in implementing the tactical shift.
• Player feedback and concerns can be addressed if there is open communication about the changes.

Essentially, taking the time to explain the rationale and benefits of the tactical shift empowers the players to fully buy into the changes. This facilitates better adoption and execution rather than simply dictating changes to players without explanation.

2. Work extensively in training on the new tactics, techniques and skills required for a high press. Drill the players repeatedly on the proper positioning, decision-making and movements required.

There are a few key reasons why extensively drilling players repeatedly on the proper positioning, decision-making and movements is important when trying to implement a high-pressing style of play:

• It ingrains the new tactical behaviors into muscle memory and instincts. Repetition develops new neural pathways and automaticity.
• Players are having to overcome years of doing the opposite actions. Frequent repetition establishes the new desired habits.
• The precise synchronized movements required by the press require drill-like practice to master. Players must learn to work as a coordinated unit.
• The split-second decisions of when to press, when to drop off, when to cover, etc need rehearsal to become intuitive.
• Mastering the proper positioning, angles of approach, distance between players, and communication for an effective press takes plenty of practice.
• Varied, focused training drills allow coaches to provide feedback and reinforcement of the precise techniques required.
• Frequent repetition in practice settings gets players more comfortable implementing it in high pressure game situations.
• Drills focused on key pressing triggers, zones and movements accustom players to the press's core tenets.
• Ongoing drilling improves technical execution, accentuates important details, and smoothes out rough edges in the system.

In summary, repetition through drills is vital because executing a quality high press differs greatly from defensive, counter-attacking football. Focused drilling essentially re-programs the players' mental and physical habits. This level of engrainment is required to make the playing style stick.

3. Set pressing triggers like backwards passes or an opponents heavy first touch to cue players when to start pressing. Teach players to recognize these triggers.

One of the really intricate parts of a high press system is the use of 'pressing triggers'. These are specific situations or cues that tell the players when to start closing down and pressuring the opponent. It takes coordination and split-second timing.

For example, the manager may use a backwards pass as a trigger. So as soon as an opposing defender passes the ball backwards or square to a teammate, it's a signal for our players to swarm in and press.

Why does a manager choose that?

Because a backwards pass generally means the opponent is under duress and can't push forward. It's a sign of weakness to jump on.

Other common pressing triggers are things like a sloppy first touch where the ball gets away from the opponent, the goalkeeper dwelling too long on the ball, or the opponent facing their own goal which cuts off forward options.

Spurs players will constantly be scanning for these triggers during a match.

When they recognize one, it kickstarts an intense press in that area of the field. It's really clever how the manager identifies these little situational cues that provide a split-second opportunity to win the ball through pressure.

When you're watching Spurs, keep an eye out for those pressing triggers!

You'll see our players react and swarm the ball purposefully when they occur rather than always mindlessly pressing.

4. Use video analysis to show players examples of effective high pressing and work on developing their mental picture of how the system functions.

Tottenham Hotspur, like many top professional football clubs, uses video analysis software to review matches and create videos for coaching and strategy purposes.

This software allows clubs to capture video from multiple camera angles during matches and training. This video is then imported into the software.

Coaches (usually the video analysis coach) can use the timeline tools to review footage and identify important passages of play they want to focus on. They can tag events, draw arrows and shapes directly on the footage, add narration or voiceovers, and more.

The software has a coding system to label different events like passes, tackles, set pieces, etc.

This allows coaches to annotate and chronicle time-coded data alongside the video capture.

They can also utilize the drawing telestration tools to highlight positioning, runs made, gaps left, and other tactical details they want to illustrate directly on the video. This helps drive home coaching points.

The video can be slowed down and filtered to zero in on specifics. Side-by-side video comparison allows coaches to contrast different players or events.

Once coaches have annotated and highlighted the key coaching moments from the match footage, they can export these short clips into a single cohesive video presentation.

Often they'll add voiceover analysis to create something that clearly communicates the strategic and technique points they want to emphasize to the players.

These edited video breakdowns help efficiently review match performance, prepare for upcoming opponents, sharpen tactics, and improve techniques in a visual way for optimal coaching.

The software ultimately enables far more in-depth and insightful video preparation than basic game films. It transforms raw footage into targeted coaching material.

5. Start by pressing in certain zones of the field or pressing selectively. Then expand the pressing to the entire pitch when the team grasps it better.

Coaches typically start implementing a high press in certain zones rather than having the team press all over the field right away. Some common pressing zones they may start with and reasons why:

• The central channel: This zone is vital for controlling midfield and cutting off central passing lanes. Pressing here disrupts the opponent's ability to play through the middle.
• Wide channels: Pressing on the wings prevents opponents from advancing easily up the flanks and crossing into the box. It is easier to press because the sideline acts as a boundary, in effect, another player.
• Defensive third: Pressing higher up the field in the opponent's defensive third allows winning the ball closer to goal. It's more risky though.
• Midfield third: Safer pressing zone that balances risk and preventing advancement. The midfield is the key battleground area.
• Attacking third: Pressing here prevents easy switching of play across the backline. High risk though if the press is broken.
• Halfway line: Pressing at the midfield line prevents easy escape from the defensive third and wins the ball already in the attacking half.

Coaches often start with the middle third of the pitch or attacking the central channel early on.

This provides a more conservative balance of cutting off progression through the middle while avoiding excessive risk. Once the shape, coordination and pressing triggers are grasped, the press can expand to the entire pitch.

6. Make the pressing a team effort. Help players understand their individual roles and coordinate the press cohesively.

Let's look at a basic 4-4-2 press:

The two forwards are the first line of the press. Their job is to cut off easy forward passing options for the centre-backs, usually forcing play wide or backwards.

The wingers tuck in narrowly to mark opponents in midfield, but are ready to spring wide if the ball shifts to the flanks. They prevent central progression.

The midfielders position themselves to blockade forward passing lanes through the middle. They provide cover shadows for the forwards.

The fullbacks push up high and wide to press the opponent fullbacks and provide width in defence. They are ready to double team wide threats.

The centre-backs hold central positions to protect zones in front of the goal. They sweep up any balls played in behind the press.

The goalkeeper plays as a sweeper keeper, reading play and is prepared to intercept balls over the top.

What makes it cohesive is the entire team works as a compact unit, moving up and down the pitch together. Each player knows their pressing assignments within the coordinated shape.

It's a team effort - if one player is out of position or fails to cut off a passing lane, the press can be broken. Disciplined coordination between all 11 players is vital to make the high press succeed.

This is why we conceded so mant goals after the Wprld Cup when the players fell out with Antonio Conte.

7. Use positive reinforcement when players execute the press well in training and matches. Praise progress.

There are a few key reasons why using positive reinforcement is important when coaching players, especially when implementing something new like a high press:

• Praise and encouragement motivates players to keep working hard to properly execute the new tactics. Criticism can discourage effort and demoralize. Hence why fans shouldn't engage in it.
• Positive feedback allows coaches to acknowledge and appreciate progress being made, even if execution isn't perfect yet. This fosters a growth mindset.
• Constructive feedback is received better when balanced with positive recognition of things done well. This makes players more receptive.
• Pressing can be tiring and frustrating as players learn it. Positive reinforcement helps them push through the challenges.
• Effusive praise when the press goes well reinforces the desired behaviours. This helps to ingrain the tactical habits.
• Publicly praising effort and successes in training/matches encourages more players to fully buy into the demanding new system.
• Positivity fosters team spirit, cooperation and a sense of collective purpose in implementing the changes.
• Football requires confidence and self-belief. Praise helps build this mentality in players.

Positive reinforcement paired with constructive feedback provides the right balance for players adapting to a new playing philosophy. This helps maximize player development and gets the most out of the tactical changes.

8. Be patient during the transition process. It may take time for players to adjust their instincts and decision-making to the new system.

Again, understanding yjis and avoiding criticism for criticism's sake and finish explaining problems on a positive note.

9. Bring in some new players who already possess the desired mindset and skills to help spearhead the change in mentality and raise the level of play.