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.
Key points
- 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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