Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): General Practice - IP - Switching Play

General - Screen 1

General Session - Set-Up

• 60x60 box (adjustable for player age/size and/or ability).
• 5x5 box in each corner of the large box.
• Large box split into two halves using the centre line.
• 13 players, 6 red (managed) & 6 blue (coached), 1 neutral player playing for the team in possession.
• 4 reds v 4 blues in the central area.
• 1 red player in two opposite boxes, 1 blue player in the other two opposite boxes.

Explanation

• Players look to switch the ball from one 5x5 box to the opposite, using the players in the central area.
• One point per successful switch (must start and finish in opposite boxes without possession being lost).
• Neutral players are to enable more success for the team in possession, as they have an overload.
• Players can not go long from corner to corner.

Challenges and targets

1 point for a successful switch.

Blues can leave the 5x5 zones, to become narrow when out of possession but must then return to their zones, when the team has the ball to maximise width.

Challenge the reds to occupy half the pitch out of possession to close down the ball.

If a switch is successful, the player who made the pass swaps with the player in the corner box. The player in the corner box dribbles into the field of play.

SSG - Screen 1

SSG Session - Set-Up

• 9v8 small-sided game. 
• 8 Blues (coached team) playing 3-4-1 (from a standard 4-4-2 formation).
  
• 9 Reds (managed team) playing 4-2-1-1 with a goalkeeper (from a standard 4-4-1-1 formation).

• Using a half-pitch and full width.
• Pitch split into three zones, using the 18 years box as a guide.
• A full-sized goal for the blue team to attack.
• Three mini-goals for the red team to attack.

Explanation

Blues (coached) look to score in large goal. Blues to switch play, using the two outside channels as guides.

Reds (managed) look to defend the large goal. Reds to defend against the switch and look to score on the break in any of the three small goals.

Blues to occupy all three channels at all times (either the full-back, the winger or both must stay out wide). The blue team must continually use the switch in play, taking full advantage of the full-backs and wingers out wide to create the attack.

Reds to stay narrow and compact (occupy a max of two channels). Only red full-backs to enter outside channels (creating a potential 2v1 situation for the blue team).

Natural overload-induced due to reds having a keeper and therefore forfeiting an outfield player.

Throw-ins as normal. Reds do not have corners, the blue team do. If a goal is scored, restart from Blue 4, or if the ball goes out for a goal kick.

Challenges and targets

• The blues get 2 points for every goal scored for a switch of play including the cross.
• The red team to score in any of three goals 1 point for central goal 2 points for either wide goals.
• Limit touches for the blues to keep the game at high intensity.
• Reds must only play direct at their target goals, to encourage them to lose possession of the ball.

Coaching points

Blue (coached) team:

• Create overloads in wide areas
• Patience in possession to move opposition around
• Player rotations

Red (Managed) team:

• Not touch tight to players (keep an arm's length and in front to stop players running in behind and drifting wide)
• Start narrow and allow the ball to go wide initially, then lock players in the channel.

Realism 

• When playing both teams need to be realistic in their starting positions. 
• Movement when playing from the back. 
• Speed of play - knowing when to be patient and when to be direct and utilise the switch of play to find space.
• Encouraged to try and switch the play but maintain the realism. i.e. if the blues are through on goal they should try and score not switch the play.