Win the ball high up

[Kontol]

Could you explain what "high" and "up" mean in football?

Aston Villa 1-0 Spurs (35 mins)
Aston Villa press and win the ball high up as Spurs try to play out from a goal kick. Ollie Watkins is released in the box and squares for Leon Bailey, whose first-time effort is parried well by Fraser Forster who gets down quickly.

 

[Barque]

I have a feeling you've asked this before.

"High up" here means high up the pitch. Aston Villa won the ball well into Spurs's half, not far from Spurs's goal.

Could you explain what "high" and "up" mean in football?

They're to be read together and not as separate words - high up. By itself the phrase doesn't have a specific meaning in football, or any other field. It derives its meaning from the context. It could have a different meaning in a different context.

 

[Barque]

See this thread, specifically post #8: https://www.usingenglish.com/forum/threads/up-the-field.290991/