Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Switching Point of Attack (9v9)

Intro - Switching Point Pattern (15 mins)

Organization: - attacking third or similar area (limited space? make wider than higher)

- 3 lines, multiple groups going to maximize reps (mirror other half of field/space)

- 2 cone gates

- 1 goal (gk or small goal)

 Instructions:- 1st attacker dribbles with pace to the first cone gate and performs turn

- resets play to 2nd attacker (CDM- 2)

- 2nd attacker switches to 3rd attacker

- 3rd attacker receives and dribbles through cone gate to score on goal

- rotate - 1st -> 2nd -> 3rd -> 4Gk -> back to 1st

- if resting player, they stand in first cone gate to block - trigger of when to turn..

• knowing when to reset play
• open body position when switching play
• simple and fast while switching, 1-2 touches 
• attack goal fast after switch 
• angles of support
• Reset pass to establish switch of possession

Progressions: - 

• 1st attacker follows play into the box for cross
• 1st attacker becomes 1st defender when switch occurs, goes 1v1 with 3rd attacker - add counter goal 
• 2nd attacker joins after switch, creates 2v1 against 1st attacker 

Small Sided Game (25 mins)

Organization:

7 v 7 match, both teams lined up 2-3-1, the pitch has wide channels marked out. Make the pitch wide. Ball must be played into one of the wide channels before a goal can be scored. The purpose of this is to make teams play to one side of the pitch, which should create space on the other side to switch play.

Coaching Points:

• Managing defending team to ensure they defend realistically
• Creating space and options to play wide
• When, why and how to switch play
• Scan weak shoulder often
• 1st touch direction
• Communication
• Transitional shape
• Movement to separate in 1v1 scenarios to receive ball