Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): OP Defending the Switch

FAW Coach Ed

Othman Chebli

Profile Summary

Name:	Othman Chebli
City:	Washington
Country:	United States of America
Membership:	Adult Member
Sport:	Football/Soccer

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Description

Organisation(Practice Layout and equipment)

- 8v8 SSG

- 8 Reds (attacking) are set up in a 1-4-3 formation based off of a 1-4-3-3 (taking out the 3 defenders)

- 8 Blues (defending) are set up in a 1-4-3 formation based off of a 1-4-3-3 (taking out the 3 attacking players)

- Half-size Pitch

- Pitch split into three vertical zones, using the 18 yard box as a guide, creating channels for the blue team as reference point where to switch play into.

- full sized goal on thehalfway line for the red team to attack

- A full sized goal for the blue team to attack

- Bibs (2colors).
- Balls.

Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): SP

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SP (15 mins)

This is a specific practice, the layout is 8v7.

Walkthrough

Half pitch with 5 zones to help defending team understand their pitch position when stopping the switch

Blue Team (coached) 1 GK 2 CB 2 FB 3 CM

Working back from 11v11 1-4-2-3-1

Removed 1 CF 2 Wide players

Red Team ( managed by captain) 1 CB 2 CM 2 WB 2 CF

Working back from 11v11 1-3-5-2

Removed 2 CB and 1 GK

Main task is understanding how and when to stop the switch of play.

Objectives

Good Use of pitch geography

Good decision making

Can we be compact and leave the furthest player

Move as a unit when switch is played

Keep play predictable

Pressure on the ball

Description

Play starts with Red CB 5, who looks to play out quickly to 6, 6 to 7, looking to draw out the full back to exploit space in behind. Play to alternate direction wise going out to the 11 also through the 5 and 8.

Problem 1

Switch of play is too easy, red team moving the ball quickly and having joy moving the back 4 and creating openings. Back four shifting too early as a unit.

Solution 1

Move as the ball travels , not when it arrives. FB starting narrow then when the ball is played out to the wide player, get out as quickly as possible to delay. The nearest CB then shuffles over to cover the space left and similarly the furthest CB covers him and the Furthest FB then uses the far post as a reference point for where to be to keep it compact. DM`s looks to screen the pass into the midfield and 10 looks to stop the ball into the DM (5). Leaving the furthest player.

Problem 2

Red wide player receives diagonal with defending fullback arriving late with no support creating 1v1 or 2v1 situations

Solution 2

Weak side FB starts to narrow, protecting central area.

One of the pivots look to provide supporting cover

Furthest pivot and 10 look to block passing lines centrally

Challenges

Recognise the triggers to go out to delay

Use the pitch lines as reference when positioning and looking to block off lanes

When winning ball back look to keep possession for as long as possible and if you can score within 9 seconds then try to

Coaching Points:

Delay

Block passing lanes

Be aware of third man runs

Make pitch compact and narrow

Pitch geography

Shift early

Recognise triggers

Stop switch at source

What happens on, around and away from the ball?

Interventions:

Concurrent

Walkthrough

Terminal

Coaching Process

Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): SSG

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SSG (25 mins)

Explanation: Attacking team (Red):

Move the ball at high speed and Maintain maximum width to stretch the defensive block. Must occupe all 3 zones at all times. Use wingers to create. High intensity, limit touches to focus on switching the play. Wingers stay high and wide.

Defending team (Blue – coached):

Protect the middle and restrict vertical passes, keep tight distances between units.. Adjust positioning in relation to the ball using clear reference points. Must occupy maximum 2 zones at all times.

Press the first touch quickly when poor. Move and recover as a unit; constant scanning and communication. Force them wide into touchline

Reference Points for the Blue Team

Centre-backs: start level with each post; protect central channel and adjust with GK’s position. Full-backs: start at corner of 18-yard box; tuck in when ball is central, step out when wide

Two CDMs: screen passes, stay connected, and trigger press on poor touch. GK: high and vocal, acting as organizer and sweeper

Conditions

Blue team must regain and attempt to score in the halfway-line goal within 6 seconds

Challenges

Blue team: protect the middle, deny switches, compact movement and coordinated press

Red team: create overloads and switch play quickly. Must switch to score.

Targets: Blue team: 2 points for scoring within 10 seconds of regain (encourages quick transition). Red team: 2 points for a goal following a switch of play. 3 interceptions in one channel: 1 point.

Block 1 – Problem 1: Protecting the Middle

Problem: Blue team pulled apart by Red’s width, leaving gaps centrally and conceding split passes.

1. Walkthrough

Explain the objective: defending the overload and protecting the middle as Reds build from their GK.

Show starting references: defensive shape, body orientation, distances between lines.

Prompt with questions:“When the ball is central, where should our full-backs be?”, “Who’s responsible for screening that central pass?”, “When the ball goes wide, who leads the shift?”

2. Concurrent interventions:

“Compact — protect the middle!”, “Shift early — travel together!”, “Delay, delay — don’t dive in!”, “Stay connected — no gaps!” Visual cues (hands together for compactness, pointing for shift).

3. Coaching process (mid-block)

Situation: Reds switch and penetrate centrally. Freeze briefly, question players on and off the ball:

4. Terminal intervention (end of block 1)

Praise compactness and central protection.

Challenge next step: “Now can we press higher to stop switches earlier while still protecting the middle?”

Block 2 – Problem 2: Pressing Higher While Staying Compact

1. Quick walkthrough before restart

Adjust height and pressing cues: “GK, push up — defend space behind.”, “Back line, squeeze together.”, “Who leads the press? What’s the cue?”, “Even higher, we still protect the middle first.”

2. Concurrent interventions (during play)

“Press on the cue: go together!”, “Curve the run: force wide!”, “GK, hold the high line!”, “Compact behind the press!”, Encourage communication and recovery after failed press.

3. Coaching process (mid-block)

Situation: Blues press but get split centrally after switch. Freeze and guide through detail.

‘What-If’ Scenarios for Coaching Moments

What if your teammate steps and gets beaten — do you step in or hold shape?

What if you regain possession but have no forward pass — do we recycle or push up?

What if the opponent switches quickly — who leads the recovery shift?