Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): PYB - Switching Play (Start Time: 2023-12-08 20:00:00)

Specific & General Practices (30 mins)

How it Works:

Part 1: 7 Minutes LSG - 7 Minutes SSG

Switching play in 4-5-1 (No fullbacks) and 4-3-3 (No fullbacks) set-ups 

5v5 small-sided game: Switching play in small spaces 

Rules:

• A team is awarded 1 point for scoring a goal that does not involve a switch ofplay in the build-up. 

• A team is awarded 2 points for scoring a goal that involves a switch of play in thebuild-up. 

• The exercise lasts 10 minutes

This first exercise focuses on switching play in two different systems, 3-5-2 and4-3-3. As the two systems differ, the approach and method involved in shifting theball from one side of the pitch to the other may vary. This drill helps players tounderstand when and how to switch play when operating in different systems inwhich they occupy different roles. The coach needs to introduce the concept of avertical line in this exercise.

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Part 2: 7 Minutes LSG - 7 Minutes SSG

Timing the switch (4-5-1 v 4-3-3)

5v5 small-sided game: Switching play in small spaces 

Rules:

• A team is awarded 1 point for scoring a goal that involves a first-time finish. 

• A team is awarded 2 points for scoring a goal that involves a switch of play in thebuild-up. 

This exercise aims to enhance players’ intensity and sharpness so that they canswitch play to great effect. Focusing on movement off the ball, quickdecision-making, reading of the game and the timing of the switch pass, ratherthan frequency, allows players to identify the right cues that will ensure successwhen it comes to switching the ball from one side of the pitch to the other.

Smaller Pitches Rationale:

The purpose of this drill is to give players the opportunity to use the sameprinciples of switching play but in tighter spaces, where their individual technicalability plays a more prominent role. There are times when there is no space in thewider areas and so players will need to call on their technical skills and precisepassing to shift the ball from side to side in tighter areas. This exercise allowsplayers to work on these aspects with a view to creating the space to finish.

Key coaching points:

The large pitch allows players to apply certain principles when switching play,such as using anchor points and a range of passes, whereas the smaller pitchenables players to showcase their individual technical skills as they seek toswitch play. 

• Use two different systems that feature various player roles so as to offer playersan understanding about how and when to switch play, based on the system inwhich they are operating. 

• Quick switches of play can allow a team to exploit a defence’s weak area, or inother words, the part of the defence with the fewest defenders. 

• Encourage players to switch play quickly using a range of passes, such as longdiagonal passes or short incisive passes into central players, who act as ananchor point. 

• Before switching play to the other side, think about how the team can stretchthe pitch and create the space to make the switch. 

• Vary the approach taken to switching play and, based on the situation, make adecision about whether it is better to initially build up possession or look toswitch the ball quickly.