Tackles and interceptions say little about how a team defends. A side that dominates the ball makes few tackles simply because the opponent rarely has it. To measure pressing, analysts look at how long a team lets the opponent pass before stepping in. That is PPDA: passes per defensive action.
Below, every number in the examples comes from real Premier League matches played this season, using the same match stats shown on GoalBT's match pages.
How PPDA is calculated
PPDA = opponent passes ÷ (tackles + interceptions + fouls). A PPDA of 8 means the opponent completes about eight passes before the team makes a defensive action. Lower means more aggressive pressing. Strict versions only count the opponent's passes and your actions in their 60% of the pitch; our examples use whole-match totals, so values run slightly higher than zone-based figures.
Worked example: Bournemouth vs Brentford
Bournemouth: Brentford made 375 passes ÷ 48 defensive actions = 7.8
Brentford: Bournemouth made 497 passes ÷ 42 defensive actions = 11.8
Real pressing numbers from recent Premier League matches
Shorter bar = more intense press. Tap a match for full stats.
What good numbers look like
Below 8 · Very high press
Opponents rarely get more than a few passes before being challenged.
8 – 11 · High press
Typical of top sides who defend from the front.
11 – 15 · Mid block
Pressure starts around halfway; the most common profile.
Above 15 · Low block
The team drops deep and lets the opponent pass.
Season-long figures from zone-based models. Single matches swing widely.
How pressing shapes a match
Score and game state move PPDA a lot. A team that goes ahead often drops deeper and lets its PPDA rise, while the side chasing the game presses harder. That is why a single match number should be read alongside the scoreline. High pressing tends to produce more turnovers near goal, which feeds shots and xG, and it is one reason pressing matches often score higher on GoalBT's excitement rating.
Limitations
PPDA counts actions, not success. It ignores where the ball is won, treats a cynical foul like a clean interception, and can't see pressure that forces a long ball without a tackle. Use it to describe a team's style, not to judge whether it defends well — compare it with goals and xG conceded for that.
Common questions
What does PPDA stand for?
Passes Per Defensive Action. It counts how many passes the opponent completes for every tackle, interception or foul a team makes, usually in the opponent's 60% of the pitch.
Is a low PPDA good?
A low PPDA means intense pressing, not necessarily good defending. Pressing teams win the ball higher up, but can be exposed if the press is beaten. Many successful sides defend deep with a high PPDA.
What is a good PPDA?
In the top European leagues, a PPDA below 10 marks an aggressive pressing team, 10 to 14 is average, and above 15 indicates a deep, passive block.
How is PPDA calculated?
Divide the opponent's passes by your own defensive actions (tackles, interceptions and fouls). Strict versions only count actions in the opponent's 60% of the pitch.
Who invented PPDA?
The metric was popularised by analyst Colin Trainor around 2014 as a simple, public way to measure pressing intensity.