Football/Soccer Session (Moderate): BP: Switching the play in the Middle third with M3

Passing Practice 1 (10 mins)

Organisation

- 12 players

- Bibs, 5 red, 5 blue, 2 yellow

- Players play the ball end to end rotating with the player on the end after each combination

- Yellows apply pressure

Progression

- 1 ball moving to 6v6 playing end to end.

Coaches Cues

- Direction faced when receiving the balll.

- Open body when receiving.

- Passing accuracy.

- First touch into space

Game Training (25 mins)

Organisation:

- 12 players including 1 GK

- Half pitch

- 1 full sized goal and 2 SSF goals

- Bibs, 6 red and 6 blue

- Markers to keep blue back 4 high to start

Rules:

- 6v5 + GK game to replicate switching play and getting past the advantage line.

- Red team to transfer the ball back and fourth until the 7 or 11 get behind the line of 4. Once they are past the line of 4 they can cross the ball to the 9 for a first time finish.

- If blue win the ball they have 5 seconds to score in SSF Goals (counts as 2 goals)

Blue is to slide with the play and try and force play backwards.

Progression

- Maximum of two touches for red team.

Team Task

Identify when we can switch the play to keep possession and penetrate.

BPO Player task:

1. Immediate pressure on the ball/ nearest player.

2. Slide side to side to form a defensive block

BP Player Tasks:

1. 6 Can you provide depth in our attack to recycle or if possible switch the point of attack?

2. M3 Can you stay connected to each other and the ball carrier but get off the same line and angle as each other?

3. 8,10 Support the ball carrier and look to create a forward pass option?

4. M3 Once we’ve played the ball to 7, 11 can we get in a position to support?

5. M3 Can we combine to play a killer ball in between their FB and CB for our 7 or 11 to run onto?

6. 7, 11 Ball side winger Can you start square and outside, opposite side winger drift inside the FB and CB.

7. 9 Can you stay high to provide depth in our attack

Coaches Cues:

1a. 6 After you have played the ball in to initiate our attack can you provide depth to be an option to receive and look to switch the play?

1b. 6 If the above happens and you can’t switch play, can you combine with someone who can?

1c. 6 Can we create 2v1 situations by playing into the 8 or 10 teaming up with our 7 or 11?

2a. M3 If your teammates are blocked from playing or driving forward can you be an option to receive and look to switch the play?

2b. M3 if one of you drop into the passing lane but are blocked, can you empty the area for another player to move into?

3a. 8, 10 as the 6 starts with the ball can you start narrow before making your movement to create space?

3b. 8, 10 If one goes higher then can the other come deeper on the opposite side to give our attack depth?

4a. 8, 10 Can one of you support the ball side winger (low or high) and the other adjust accordingly on the far shoulder of their 6?

4b. 8, 10 if the 7 or 11 is turned back can the ball side player support on the angle underneath to receive opening out or facing forward?

4c. 8, 10 if the 7 or 11 is angled facing you can the ball side player support underneath and look play a 1-2 to get the winger in behind?

5a. 8, 10 if the 7 or 11 is angled facing you can the ball side player support underneath and look play a 1-2 to get the winger in behind?

5b. 8, 10 Can we identify overload opportunity’s on the opposite side that we can exploit with a quick switch of play?

6a. 7, 11 can you adjust your positioning as the ball is switched from side to side?

6b. 7, 11 if the 8 or 10 is driving forward with the ball can you time a forward run to break the line for a killer ball?

6c. 7, 11 Can the ball side winger combine for a 1-2 (bounce and forward run) to break the line in a wide area?

7a. 9 as the 6 starts with the ball can you occupy the farthest CB to provide some depth in our attack?

7b. 9 As our attack starts can you move between the 2 CB’s to keep them occupied as the ball switches from side to side?

7c. 9 If the 8, 10 are facing forward but cannot play a killer ball can you provide a short option to combine to either help keep possession or switch the play yourself?