Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Specific Practice into SSG / Defending the switch of play in a 4-3-3

Specific Practice / 9v6 (6 reds out of possession)

The Welsh Way Principles of play / Defending the switch of play: 

• Force wide
• Keep play predictable
• Pressure on the ball
• Leave the furthest players

• It’s a 9v6 game, with the red team (coached) (4-3-3 formation in 11 a side) defending in numerical inferiority against the blue team (8+GK) (3-4-3 formation in 11 a side). The red team is consistently working to defend the blue team’s switches of play and aims to prevent goals in the two mini-goals, focusing on the principles of defending switch of play.
• Reds the whole back four have been taken out and blue
• Play will always start with the blue team trying to play from the back starting with the GK.
• The blue team cannot score in the mini-goal on the side that is initially played to. This means they must attempt to switch play and score in the mini-goal on the opposite side.
• If play is switched multiple times, it no longer matters which mini-goal the blue team attempts to score in.
• If red recovers the possession they try to score in the regular goal.

Coaching content (Red coached team): 

• Understand when to stop the switch of play. For example when you press high and keep the play predictable.
• Understand when to screen as a team, allowing the switch of Play and keep the play predictable.
• Keeping narrow the unit itself and all units together. Depending on the pressure applied putting pressure on the ball.
• Assist and show them which players to leave free (in this practice inferiority)

Coaching interventions: 

• Walk through (quick because quiet simple)
• Concurrent
• Terminal
• Coaching process

• Block 1: Challenge 1=  Overload in the middle with a 4v3 (not here, as the second attacking midfielder is absent) Solution 1= The striker presses the ball-side center-back, and the winger presses the ball-side wing-back. The red No. 8 on the ball side presses the ball-side central midfielder. The holding midfielder moves toward the ball side, where a potential blue attacking midfielder might be, while the other No. 8 pushes into the area, creating an ‘L’ shape in midfield. The farther blue central midfielder is covered by the retracted winger from the opposite side, who also anticipates a possible switch to the other center-back. Challenge 2= The 3-4-3 system ensures an overload on one side. Solution 2= In the high press, the striker and team need to identify which side would be more dangerous for them (where they are outnumbered) and direct their press to force the opponent to play to the opposite side. Challenge 3= What happens in a high pressing situation if blue is still able to switch play? Solution 3= Diagonal shifting of the entire midfield block. The goal is to slow down the blue team’s attack to allow teammates to provide support. Often, the No. 8 who has dropped into a double holding midfield will be the next to help. It’s important to be cohesive and support each other.
• Block 2: Challenge= In a low block, the opponent may pass the ball around frequently and switch play multiple times. Solution=  It’s important to maintain compactness and communicate effectively. Even in a deep block, allow the furthest player to remain free while shifting quickly. Avoid losing too much ground to prevent being overwhelmed. A low block does not mean relaxing; rather, it requires hard work within the designated zone.
• Conditions: Blue team cannot score in the mini-goal on the side that is initially played to. Dismantled after multiple switches.
• Target: Reds (coached) = No goals in the mini-goals after a switch of play. After gaining possession scoring in the regular goal.