Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Switching play and stopping the switch

stop the switch

General Practice: Stopping the Switch of Play (10 Minutes)

Primary Focus:
The focus of this practice is to improve a defending team’s ability to prevent or delay the opposition from switching play through, around, or over. The attacking team is encouraged to recognise opportunities to switch quickly, while the defending team must press intelligently, block passing lanes, and stay compact. The practice develops scanning, communication, and decision-making.

Organisation:

• Players: 11 players split into 3 teams of 3 (Blue, Red, Yellow) + 2 outside neutral players (Green)

• Area: 25m x 25m square

• Setup: 3v3 in the central area at any one time (1 team attacking, 1 defending, 1 waiting), with 2 outside players acting as neutral wide players (Green)

• Timings: 4 x 2-minute working blocks with 2 minutes rest and rotation between roles

• Ball Supply: Coach has spare balls to maintain tempo and quick restarts

Practice Explanation:

• The Blue team starts in possession. Their aim is to complete 3 passes while being pressed by 1 Yellow defender(with another Yellow blocking passing options).

• After completing 3 passes, the Blues must attempt to switch the play:

  • Through the middle,

  • Around the sides using the outside Green players, or

  • Over the top via a lofted pass.

• If successful, the ball is transferred to the Reds, who repeat the same task.

• If unsuccessful or intercepted, the defending team becomes the next team in possession.

Conditions:

• Attacking team has 10 seconds to complete 3 passes before attempting a switch.

• Outside neutral players (Green) are restricted to 1 or 2 touches (depending on progression).

• Only 1 defender presses while the other blocks (coached to prevent the switch).

Challenges:

• Can the defending team anticipate and block the switch before it happens?

• Can the attacking team disguise and execute a switch through, around, or over?

Targets:

• Each successful switch of play = 1 point.

• Defenders aim to prevent 3 or more switches in their 2-minute block.

Progressions:

• Reduce time limit to 8 seconds before a switch is attempted.

• Limit central players to 2 touches to increase decision speed.

• Add a second pressing defender after 3 passes are completed.

Regressions:

• Remove the pressing player and only have one blocker.

• Increase pitch size to create more space for the attacking team.

Key Coaching Points:

• Stay compact and screen the ball to prevent the switch.

• Defenders must scan and communicate to identify threats early.

• Encourage high pressing after the third pass to disrupt rhythm.

• For attackers: timing, disguise, and ball speed are essential when switching.

• Keep the pitch wide and stretch the opposition to create gaps.