Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): FAW/UEFA C License Switching Play General Practice

Out of Possession (10 mins)

Primary Focus

• To improve the players' ability to defend a switch play

Organization

• 25x25m box
• 3 teams of 4
• 1 team outside as neutrals, 2 other teams in middle as attack/defense

• 10 minutes split into 3 x 3 min blocks allowing for 1 min transition

• Balls start with enders
• Played into attacking team
• Attacking team looks to get across to other ender for 1 point
• They then look to switch back and forth between enders for points
• If the defending team wins the ball, they look to dribble out of exit gates in corners for a point
• Players are fixed in roles for time, rotate each rep

• Defending team looks to prevent the switch of play while also looking to create switches of their own to score points when they do win the ball

• Attacking team looks to hit the ender target neutral for points

• Neutrals can be pressed
• Attacking players cannot go over the press

• Initial press- close the gap quickly, curve run to cut off options, slow down upon approach into defensive stance, patience 
• Cover defenders- slightly behind and at angle to prevent splits but also press if initial press is beaten
• Balance defenders - remain compact in order to prevent large gaps from opening up allowing for easy splits
• Leave furthest player to focus on compactness
• Make play predictable