Last updated: 3 October 2026
Reviewed by Jordan Morley, FA Level 2 Football Coach
PPDA (Passes Per Defensive Action) measures a team’s pressing intensity. Low PPDA means few opponent passes before the ball is won back — a high press. Liverpool under Jürgen Klopp averaged 6-8 PPDA, among the lowest in European football. Defensive mid-block teams can exceed 20 PPDA. It was developed by Colin Trainor and Ced Laurens at StatsBomb. PPDA is most meaningful in the opponent’s half or between the penalty areas, capturing active pressure rather than passive defending.
- Lower PPDA = more intense pressing
- 6-8 = high press elite; 10-12 = moderate; 15+ = low block
- Developed by StatsBomb analysts
- Measures active pressing, not passive shape
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PPDA (passes allowed per defensive action) measures pressing intensity by counting how many passes the opposition is allowed to complete before the pressing team makes a tackle, interception or foul — a lower PPDA indicates more intense, aggressive pressing, and the metric has become a standard way analysts quantify a team's pressing style without relying purely on subjective visual impression.
FAQ
What does a low PPDA number mean for a football team?
A lower PPDA indicates more aggressive, intense pressing — the team allows fewer opposition passes before making a defensive action like a tackle or interception.
Is a lower PPDA always better?
Not necessarily — intense pressing demands significant physical effort and can leave space behind if poorly coordinated, so PPDA should be considered alongside overall defensive solidity and results rather than in isolation.