Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Specific practice - Switching play - In possession

Specific Practice

Organisation
- Create a playing area which is the width of the 18-yard box plus 6
yards each side and runs from the goal line to the halfwayline.
Place a full-size goal at each end.
- Red team - in possession - 1 x GK, 2 x DF's, 2 x CM's, 2 x W's and
1 x CF.
- Blue team - out of possession - 1 x GK, 3 x DF's, 2 x CM's and 1 x
CF.
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How it works
- Play will start with the red team GK (in goal on halfway), who will
play out to one of the reds.
- From there, the reds can play with the aim of scoring against the
blues.
- If the reds score, they will gain one point but if both W's touch the
ball in the build-up they will gain three points.
- The blues must defend and attempt to win possession, if they
are successful, theycan attempt to score against the reds. Any
goal for the blues will be three points.
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Key coaching points
- Play around the oppostion - width and depth.
- Keep the ball moving to draw the opposition out of position.
- Look for split passes to get in behind.
- Look to 'start again' byrecycling the ball through the defenders or GK's.
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Manage the opposition
- Defend and protect the centre of the pitch.
- Force the direction of play.
- Leave the furthest player.
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Challenges
- W's should look to get on the ball as often as possible.
- Use CM's and CB's to switch play
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Conditions
- Red team - Maximum of sixseconds to shoot once the ball is inside the 18 yard box.
- Blue team - Maximum of ten seconds to shoot once in possession of the ball.
- Only one player is allowed into the wide zone.
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Targets
- Get the ball wide early.
- Look for pull backs and depth from crossing positions.
- Switch play when possible.