Tactics

How close together a team stays when defending. A compact shape has small gaps between players and lines, making it hard for opponents to play through. When compactness breaks down - players drift, lines stretch - holes appear. Analytics can measure it by tracking the distance between the deepest defender and highest attacker, or the space between lines. Staying compact requires discipline and fitness.

Passes that move the ball meaningfully towards the opponent's goal - usually defined as 10+ yards forward or any pass into the box. It separates useful possession from sideways passing. Players who rank high in progressive passes are the ones who actually move the ball into dangerous areas. Useful for spotting midfielders who drive play forward even if they don't score or assist much.

German for "counter-pressing." Instead of dropping back after losing the ball, the team immediately swarms the opponent to win it back, ideally within 5-8 seconds while they're still disorganized. Jürgen Klopp made this famous at Borussia Dortmund and Liverpool. The logic: the ball is the best defender. Win it back fast and you catch teams before they can set up.

Deliberately fouling to stop a dangerous attack, usually when you've been caught out on the counter. The foul breaks up play, lets your team get back, and costs nothing except maybe a yellow card. Holding midfielders do it most often. It's cynical but effective, and the punishment rarely fits the crime since the attacking team loses a promising situation for just a free kick in a non-dangerous area.

Loose balls after clearances, headers, or blocked shots. Winning second balls is a skill - you need anticipation, positioning, and aggression. Some teams play direct football specifically to create second ball situations. Commentators obsess over it, especially when one team dominates the aerial duels but can't collect what drops. It's a sign of midfield control.