Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): SUFC Academy U12 - Switching Play to Other Side (Start Time: 2017-03-24 17:00:00)

Switching play to other side (15 mins)

Practice Organisation:

Practice starts with the ball being played in by coach to the attacking team. The team in possession look to build play through good ball retention and controlled possession, with the objective of scoring a goal. The defending team look to counter attack on gaining possession. Open play continues until the ball goes dead where the practice then recommences with initial set-up arrangements.To score a point, the attacking team must dribble through one of the 3 gates. Possession moves to opposition if a point is scored.

Detail:

Try to spread out into wide areas as an opportunity to exploit space created in central areas to attack the goal. Can the players use quick passing to eliminate pressure and draw defenders to create a 'weak side' to switch play. Look at support play from behind to ensure defensive safety from potential counter attack and provide an outlet passing option. It is important to recognise when to slow play down to secure possession.

Coaching Points

-Stretch opponents from end to end and side to side.

-Attackers determine whether to attack centrally or wide depending on strength of defensive numbers.

-Team out of possession look to remain compact and cover 2 of the 3 channels.

-Attackers look to switch play when faced with defensive numbers and exploit weak side (empty channel).

-Switching play is dependent on quick, accurate and precise passing and awareness of space available.

-Attackers on opposite side must remain aware of potential to make forward runs to receive diagonal passes, whilst ensuring defensive security (against a potential counter attack).

Progressions

Mark a 5 Yd wide channel on each side that wingers/full backs can attack through unopposed.

Switch play and early crossing into central areas with attackers arriving quickly in space.