Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Stopping the switch

Screen 2

Ssg stop the switch

 Areas size Half a pitch with 18 yard side lines tapered off.

players 8v8 

red team (coached) 1-4-3 (1-4-3-3) no forwards 

Green team 1-4-3 (1-3-4-3) no defenders 

Objective

for red team to defend the goal by stopping the switch of play by forcing play wide

conditions

green team should always have at least 1 player in each of the 3 zones

If red team win the ball back they have to score within 4 passes

block 1 4 minutes

problem green team look to circulate the ball from side to side to score from a wide area 

solution red team to force play one side  and make play predictable to a green winger, once winger has the ball gk should communicate to nearest play to apply pressure on the ball and Force wide and stop the cross

what if

red defender forces green wide player wide  but wide player beats defender to cross

solution

GK should communicate to defenders to protect the centre and of area and GK should look to anticipate cross and protect the area also 

1minute terminal break 

Block 2 4minutes

Problem/oppo management

green team encouraged to play ball from full back into 9 to switch play, if so they get 3 goals if scored

solution

GK should communicate with midfielders to screen front player and force play one way

what if

green 9 recieves the ball in the space

solution

nearest cb should jump and force play back where it came from, nearest FB must anticipate player movement to intercept pass for counter attack. 

BLOCK 3 PROBLEM green team look to play a direct switch from number 2 to opposite winger to score a goal

solution nearest CM player to recognise opposition movement and anticipate pass so that he can clase down quickly before number 2 can get head up to find a pass



what if

 red player doesn't get to the ball in time

solution

red team must follow the ball quickly when pass is played to stop a cross. GK should communicate with Nearest FB to get to ball quickly and apply pressure  and force wide or block shot 

coaching detail 

make play predictable/force one way

Nearest player applies pressure 

Force wide

Delay play

Leave furthest player free 

coaching intervention
concurrent

coaching process

Walkthrough