Modern football terminology explainer including tactics and styles of play

Such is the ever-evolving nature of football, there are regularly new buzzwords arising which can easily go over the head of a more casual fan of the sport.

The rise of innovative tactical minds including Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola in the 21st century has spawned new tactical ideas and fresh styles of play as the game continues to advance.

We hone in some of this modern terminology and explain how it is applied in football today.

Gegenpressing

Translating from German into English as 'counter-pressing', the tactical concept of 'gegenpressing' involves teams responding to losing possession by seeking to swarm around the opposition and win the ball back immediately.

Ex-Schalke, Hoffenheim and RB Leipzig manager Ralf Rangnick is widely recognised as the 'godfather of gegenpressing', with other influential German managers including Jurgen Klopp, Thomas Tuchel and Julian Nagelsmann also adopting this style of play.

What is gegenpressing? Origins, how it works, managers and teams

Counter-attacking football

A style of play which has been recognised within football for a far longer period, counter-attacks involve defending teams seeking to make progress up the pitch as quickly as possible once gaining possession so as to catch the vulnerable opposition out of position.

Counter-attacking football continues to be one of the most prevalent styles of play in the game today, with the sport's speediest forward players including Mohamed Salah, Vinicius Jr and Kylian Mbappe often at their most threatening on the counter when defending teams are left exposed.

What is counter-attacking football? How it works, origins and examples

Zonal marking

A tactical concept reportedly spawned in Brazil by Fluminense manager Zeze Moreira during the 1950s, zonal marking involves defending teams focusing on designated areas of the pitch as opposed to man-to-man marking when attempting to thwart opposition advances.

Most commonly referring to how teams defend set pieces, a zonal marking structure sees defending players stick to their instructed zones before waiting to clear the ball rather than focusing on marking a direct opponent.

What is zonal marking? Origins, how it works, managers and teams

Low block

A particularly modern term within football, a 'low block' refers to a defence-first tactical approach employed by teams in an effort to prevent the concession of goals.

Teams setting up in a low block will be happy to surrender the majority of possession and force the opposition unpick holes in a compact defensive structure set up with a deep backline.

What is a low block in football? How it works, which teams use it