Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Switching Play
FAW Coach Ed
Alan George
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Description
Switching Play to Exploit Space Welsh Way Principle: In Possession – Switching Play Age Group: U13 Ability Level: Youth / Foundation Phase Duration: 10 minutes
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Switching Play to Exploit Space
Welsh Way Principle: In Possession – Switching Play
Ability Level: Youth / Foundation Phase
Duration: 10 minutes
Learning ObjectivePlayers will recognise when to switch play to exploit space away from pressure. Players will execute switches using appropriate body shape and passing quality (Williams and Hodges, 2007).Primary FocusTo develop effective switching of play in order to progress the attack and exploit low-density areas (Garganta, 2009).Organisation
13 players will be organised into 2 teams of 5 with 2 floaters on the outside and 1 target player per team.
Area Size
30m x 30m area divided vertically into two zones.
Player Numbers
13 players in total.
Explanation
The team in possession must complete three passes in one zone before switching play to a floater or target player to score points. This encourages scanning, ball circulation, and awareness of space (Garganta, 2009).
Challenge
Can the team recognise and execute a switch within three passes?
Condition
Players must receive with an open body shape to encourage forward and switching options (Williams and Hodges, 2007).
Target
Score 3 points by playing into the target player and switching play; score 1 point by switching directly to a floater.
Progression
Limit passes into the target player to one touch.
Regression
Remove the minimum pass requirement.
Key Points
Scan before receiving
Open body shape
Speed and accuracy of pass
Maintain width
Planned Coaching Interventions
Drive-by: “Can you see the space to switch?”
Fly-by: Reinforce positive scanning and body shape.
Stop (if needed): Highlight body position and passing angle to support the switch.
5 Corner Tool Box
Physical: Moderate intensity with repeated passing and movement.
Social: Communication to organise positioning and switches.
Technical: Passing quality, receiving on the back foot.
Tactical: Switching play to exploit space.
Psychological: Confidence to switch under pressure.
References
Garganta, J. (2009) ‘Trends of tactical performance analysis in team sports’, Open Sports Sciences Journal, 2, pp. 81–89.
Williams, A.M. and Hodges, N.J. (2007) ‘Practice, instruction and skill acquisition in soccer’, Journal of Sports Sciences, 23(6), pp. 637–650. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1080/02640410400021328