To be competitive you need to do the basics well and competitiveness starts with a desire to win the ball back.

To Win the ball back, there must be level of intensity and aggression in general play to win the ball back.

You can't afford to be standing still when an opportunity to win the ball occurs. So make sure you are doing the following when trying to win the ball back : Assuming it is the right time to press : Try to press when the following occurs :

1. Press while the ball is moving between players, so the receiver is immediately under pressure when they receive the ball.
   • There might need to be a number of presses (on 2 or 3 passes in a row) before the ball is forced over or a mistake is made. One press will never be enough and the press may also need to be calculated so that  the chance of winning the ball back is maximized.
2. Press when the ball is in the air
3. Press a bad touch or a bad pass
4. Press hard when the options decrease (this is what setting a trap is all about)
5. If you are close enough to have an effect on the receiver / person on the ball, put pressure on the ball.
6. When an effective press can involve 2 or 3 players then take it.