Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): UEFA B - Outfield - Switching Play (In Possession) OA3

Specific

FAW/UEFA B Licence - Switching Play - In Possession

Specific Practice into SSG

Welsh Way Principle 

Understand when and how to switch the point of an attack based on the pressure applied by the opposition.

Organisation & Area size

1/4 pitch with full width

2 x 10 yards channels running the length of the playing area

2 x Mini goals as shown & 1 full size for SSG in position (Mini goals will be removed for the SSG)

Balls, Cones, Disks & Bibs

Extra diagonal red taper set up with flats to be used for SSG

REDS 1(GK)-3-4-1

BLUES 1(GK)-3-4-1

9 V 9 Incl GKs

Details 
Switching Play (In Possession)

• Specific
• Age U16/U19
• Number of players: 18 Incl 2 x GKs
• Time - 10 minutes

Explanation/How

• Working with the blue team in possession
• Play will start with the blue GK who will play the ball in to play
• The blue team will aim to get the ball wide into channels, when safe & effective to do so
• Central passes to then play wide if necessary
• The blue team will get 1 point for scoring in the channel goals and 2 points for scoring in the central goal. This will encourage the advanced midfielder or striker to receive from the wings and face a potential 1v1 situation (this is likely to happen in an 11v11 game)
• Resume from the blue GK when the ball goes out of play
• The white teams aim is (once they have won the ball) to score into the large goal as quickly as possible following the same principles as best they can. I will give the white team 12/14/16 seconds to score, once they have secured the ball
• The blue teams fullbacks are encouraged to stay wide to create the space in central areas, this will create an option to switch play using the GK, CB, CM as a pivot
• When the blue team receive the ball with open body shape (open hips) & correct angle, this will enable passes to be fast & accurate as you play the switch. If the ball speed & body shape is wrong, the opposition have the chance to shut off the space & prevent switch
• The blue team must be patient & do it at the right time, don't force the switch, aim to attack weak side
• The whites are only allowed in 2 of the 3 areas at any one time when defending, this creates realistic game scenarios where the opposition would be narrow protecting the space
• The white team will be encouraged to press the blues & apply pressure quickly to encourage the right principles of the switch
• When the whites win possession they will be allowed to play in all 3 zones & attempt to score as quickly as possible.
• Support under the ball to find switch, also creating defensive balance.

Challenges, Targets & Conditions

1 - Find the spare player

2 - Blues to use minimum number of players when switching

3 - Blues are given 2 points for a goal scored in the central goal & 1 point for each mini-goal scored in

4 - Whites challenged to shoot within 3 passes / 10-16 seconds

5 - Blues work hard to force mistakes & apply pressure to regain possession (counter pressure) - pin opposition to touchline then look to play from high to low pressure

6 - Whites cannot be in a channel if the ball isn't in there, only press when the ball has reached the channel

Progression/Regression

• Amount of touches by team, units or position specific
• Move Player positions to allow attacking team to gain success
• Set challenge to CM or GK to play through

Interventions

Concurrent

Coaching Process

Terminal

Walk through (Talk Through) (Visual Demonstration)