This is not an error or a sign of disrespect towards the opponent; it is a clear tactical plan that has recently become a trend in world football and is used by many top teams.

The essence of this maneuver is to start the match with high pressing from the very first second and begin on the opponent's half of the field, not allowing them to establish a defensive structure. Instead of playing the ball from the center, the player (often a good-passing midfielder) deliberately kicks it out of bounds near the corner flag or touchline on the opponent's half of the field.

Why is this advantageous?

• Chaos instead of structure: With a standard center play, the opponent has time to occupy their positional defense, making it difficult to start an attack against an organized defense. The outbounds catch the team off guard: players are not fully positioned, and a precise pass from the side line is more difficult to execute.
• Ideal conditions for pressing: As soon as the ball leaves the field, the entire team immediately advances for high pressing. The opponent is forced to quickly introduce the ball from an awkward position, attacking players already block all options for passes. If a interception is successful, the attack begins right in front of the opponent's penalty area.
• Psychological advantage: Such an aggressive start immediately sets a high tempo of play and dominates the opponent from the very first seconds, showing who is dictating the terms here.

Who and when did this come up?

The pioneer of this trend was the head coach of Paris Saint-Germain, Luis Enrique. His team actively used this approach in the Champions League and the Club World Cup, and it brought results — the victory in the main European cup.

At the 2026 World Cup, many teams adopted this tactic, including France, USA, and Morocco. For the French national team, such a start is part of a general strategy for dominance and control of the game from the very first seconds.

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