Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): General defending switch of play

SSG (25 mins)

Set-up

- 3 Quarter pitch required

- 2 - 11 a side goal

- Ball pits around area

- GK - 9v9

- Red Team 4-1-2-1(4-3-1)

- Blue Team 4-1-2-1 (4-3-1

- Red Team players Removed 1xST, 1xRW or LW

- Blue Team players Removed 1xRW or LW, 1xST

- Both teams have added a n10 to help to make the session more realistic for the counter attack.

By setting these formation for both team it will naturally create 1v1 within the wide areas of the pitch. 

Blue Team - They need to force the direction of play where they can hopefully don't the switch and win the ball back to counter attack if its on. Players need to defend narrow and leave the furthest player so that they can keep there shape. But also keep play predictable.

Red Team - They still need to try and make the pitch as big as possible and force the blue to make space for them to exposit. Also the speed of passing is very important for them to switch play, if its slow and predictable then the blue team will be able to get into shape faster and possible win the ball back and counter attack and possible score.

Scenario 

If we do get a 1v1 in the wide area then the Nearest player which will be the RB or LB need to make sure they get tight to the player, so that he needs to play the ball back. when this happens the CB needs to move across with the RB/LB to make sure that he covers the space in behind. But also the whole back 4 needs to move across as a unit.

I have placed 2 Yellow Poles or Cones on the half way line so that the RB and LB have got a mark and reference to know that when either FB reaches that, that the opposite FB need to tuck in and be narrow but also be ready to fly out if the Red team does try to switch play.

These Yellow Poles or Cones can be moved further up the field if we want to press higher up the pitch but also need to be aware of the ball over the top in behind.

To make it more realistic when the blue team wins the blue they need to counter attack and try to score. 

Scenario 

If the LCM gets pulled out of position and dragged over the Red RB then the CF need to drop into CM to help cover the space they have left to stop the Red team breaking the line and playing through the middle.

You can add challenges to this session to help to give the players more things to think about on and off the ball, also its give the players more incentive for them to take more risks.

Challenges - Red Team

• Switch play and score 2 Goals
  
• Normal play and score 1 Goal
• Switch play and win a 1v1 and score then 3 Goals

• Win the ball back and counter attack within 3-5seconds depending on pitch Geography 2 Goals
• Stopping the Switch of play and forcing them to play back and win the ball 2 Goals
• Normal play 1 Goal

Key Points

- Fast pressure 

- Protect middle

- Narrow compact 

- Stop the split pass

- Protect the space behind