Football/Soccer Session (Advanced): Switching Play Through Midfield

Technical Activity (15 mins)

Set up: 

• Use an area 30*30 set up as shown in the diagram 
• The players are split into four groups, one in each corner of the pitch. Each corner also features two poles, two cones and a mannequin facing inwards.
• The coach gives the players different technical actions to complete, as well as preparing the players physically for the session. The technical actions are as follows, each of which is shown in the diagram.
• Technical action 1: The first player dribbles through the cones in front of the central mannequins, turns and passes to the next player in the queue. The receiving player must make a movement before receiving.
• Technical action 2: The player dribbles the ball to the mannequin, performs a hook turn with the outside of their foot, and then passes to the next player.
• Technical action 3: The player dribbles the ball to the mannequin before doing an inside chop, then passes to the next player. Once they have passed, they will make an angle to receive a bounce pass from the receiving player before playing back to them (complete a give & go around the pole).
• Technical action 4: Players dribble to the mannequin before completing any turn or skill they like. They will then pass the ball to the next player and join the back of the queue.
  

5v5+5 (20 mins)

Set Up:

• This themed possession practice focuses on switching play away from pressure.
• The pitch has wide channels marked out on either side. There are also two mini-goals at either end, set back from the playing area.
• Players are split into two teams of five, plus five neutral (black in diagram), who play for the team in possession.
• Two of the neutral players are fixed in the wide channels, with the other three operating as a midfield three in the central part of the pitch.
• The team in possession, with the neutral players, can be encouraged to work roughly in a 3-5-2 shape (preference based on team system/game model)
• Both teams should attempt to accumulate 10 consecutive passes, or switch play from one neutral player in a wide area to the other, in order to score a goal.

PROGRESSION

• The practice progresses by having one designated in-possession team and one pressing team.
• The in-possession team will have the same goalscoring conditions as when the practice started.
• The pressing team will be looking to win possession and score in any of the four mini-goals.
• After each working block, the teams switch roles.

• TIMING TO RECEIVE
  • As play progresses, the players in the central area must time their movements to receive the ball as they arrive into space.
  • Making quick, sharp movements as the passer takes their first touch will make it more difficult to defend and help create space.
• SUPPORTING AWAY FROM THE BALL
  • The player furthest away from the ball is encouraged to stay away from possession and find space in pockets, to offer passing angles.
  • This will create the chance to switch play with a limited amount of passes if this player is found.
• SHORT SUPPORT TO CREATE SPACE
  • When possession is won, the players closest to the ball should initially look to play short passes.
  • This will give time for the other players to open the pitch, to offer alternative passing angles that may create a switching chance.
• DRAWING IN PRESSUR - Combining quickly in small spaces will draw defenders in and create space to switch, using one or two passes.
• BALL SPEED - The coach should place a big emphasis on ball speed. The players must pass with the appropriate ball speed in order to keep the ball away from the opposition. Passes should be punched in.