Football/Soccer Session (Beginner): SW - Tactical Session - Preventing and Dealing with Switches of Play

Ball Mastery (15 mins)

Ball Mastery

3 or 4 even teams in each channel.

Players drive into first square execute a cryuff turn then a step over turn then move into the next square to repeat.

Once the player has moved from the first square the next player goes.

Right foot one way, left foot back.

Next move is an outsdie cut into an inside cut.

Progress to race.

Screen 3 (35 mins)

SSG Session - Set-Up

• 9v1 small-sided game.
• 8 Black (managed team) playing 3-4-1 (from a standard 1-4-3-3 formation).
  
• 8 Blues (coached team) playing 1-3-4-1 (from a  1-3-5-2 formation).

• Using a half-pitch and full width.
• A full-sized goal for the black team to attack.
• Three mini-goals for the blue team to attack.

Explanation

Black (managed) look to score in large goal. Black to switch play, using the two outside channels as guides.

Blues (coached) look to defend the large goal. Blues to defend against the switch and look to score on the break in any of the three small goals.

Blacks to occupy all three channels at all times (the winger must stay out wide). The black team must continually use the switch in play, taking full advantage of the wingers out wide to create the attack.

Blues to stay narrow and compact (occupy a max of two channels). Only blue full-backs or wingers to enter outside channels.

Throw-ins as normal. Blues do not have corners, the black team do. If a goal is scored, restart from black, or if the ball goes out for a goal kick.

Challenges and targets

• The black team get 2 points for every goal scored for a switch of play including the cross.
• The blue team to score in any of three goals 1 point for central goal 2 points for either wide goals.
• Limit touches for the black to keep the game at high intensity.
• Blues must only play direct at their target goals, to encourage them to lose possession of the ball.

Coaching points

Black (Managed) team:

• Create opportunities to switch into wide areas
• Patience in possession to move opposition around
• Player rotations

Blues (Coached) team:

• 1st defender moves quickly to ball carrier to effect his ability to switch play.
• Curved runs to force wide.
• 2nd defender principles.
• If a switch looks to be happening can the winger on the opposite side look to track the winger/target/threat