Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Switching Play (Start Time: 2024-10-22 20:30:00)

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Roles and Responsibilities-

GK- Always starts with the ball and gives the ball to the LCB who is standing next to him. Then once they've passed the ball sideways, the GK becomes the 'RCB' to help switch the ball. 

LCB- Will be the 'quarter-back'. The game is completely in front of them. It is their job to decide if they can break a line forwards or if it isn't on and have to work the ball along the back line. 

RCB- Will move out wider as more of a right-back. This gives us width along the back line which stretches the pitch in the hopes it creates gaps in the opposition. 

RB- Rolls inside the pitch to become the RCDM. This creates a +1 centrally. They have to be brave to want the ball under pressure, attract pressure to allow the team to exploit space elsewhere.

LB- Is a more 'conventional' left back. They have to stay wide to give the team width. Looking to play forward where they can but not forcing it if it isn't on to play forwards.

LCDM- They have to be brave, want the ball, if they can receive on the half turn and play forwards then brilliant, if not, can they help recycle the ball along the back line as well as keeping positional discipline.

R10- Important that they have positional discipline, maintain the box midfield shape as the shape is what is difficult to defend against. When they receive the ball, we would have broken the press, can they play forwards into the mini goals or a throughball from a overlap/underlap from a side CB or CDM.

L10- Important that they have positional discipline, maintain the box midfield shape as the shape is what is difficult to defend against. When they receive the ball, we would have broken the press, can they play forwards into the mini goals or a throughball from a overlap/underlap from a side CB or CDM.

Block 1- Opposition Management

- Can the ST arc the ball outside one way to not allow them to play back inside? The ball side winger will arc their run and lock the ball outside when it goes wide to the fullback. 

- The ball side winger should be applying pressure on the ball to try and win it back. The far side winger tucks inside to not allow the far side CDM space to join up play. This leaves the far side fullback free. 

- The Midfield 3 will now be man marking centrally and looking to arrive to win the ball back. 

Block 2- Add Coaching Detail 

- The GK has to be brave to be in the back line on the ball. They have to leave their goal and give us that +1 along the back line to help us switch play. 

- If the ball isn't on to progress down one side, can the team keep possession, switch the ball along the back line through the GK & CB or bouncing through a CDM waiting for gaps to open up.

- We don't want the Number 10's playing on the same line as the Number 4's. Can the 10's play on the outside shoulders of the 4's which opens up a different passing lane.

- It's important that the box shape is kept intact with the midfield 4 as the shape is difficult to defend as it takes players into positions they don't want to defend in. 

-If the ball side 10 does want to make a movement to get the ball, can their movement be towards the touchline? A CDM won't want to track that run wide as it leaves a big gap centrally. 

Block 3- Check Understanding- Let them play

- Coaching position is by the GK to start then float inside the midfield box to get a feel for it. Lots of drive by coaching and commentating.