Two Types of Pressure (Angle-Block vs. Physical)

Not all pressure is the same. Angle-blocking pressure involves a defender positioning to cut off passing lanes — the presser's goal is to eliminate options, not win the ball directly. Physical proximity pressure (body pressure) involves a defender using physicality and closeness to undermine the ball-carrier's execution of a shot or pass, regardless of where passing lanes go. These two types produce different analytical signatures and different responses from the pressured player.

When classifying pressure type correctly: angle-blocking pressure shows the defender stationary or moving laterally to cut lanes (low closure velocity, positioned between ball-carrier and target); physical pressure shows high closure velocity, the defender ending up within arm's reach of the ball-carrier. The Firmino/Johnstone example: Johnstone wasn't trying to block a passing angle or get the ball — he used proximity to undermine shot execution. Correct analysis accounts for which type occurred to predict what the pressured player was constrained to do.

1. Treating all pressure as equivalent: Mixing angle-block and physical pressure in the same "under pressure" bucket masks the different mechanisms by which each degrades performance.
2. Using outcome to infer type: Classify from presser behavior pre-contact, not from what the pressured player did.