Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): SWITCHING THE PLAY 2

SWITCHING THE PLAY

Block 2 

SWITCHING THE PALY

Switching the Play  SSG

Pitch Dimensions: Half pitch  

Player Numbers: 18 players inc GK (9v9)

Equipment: 2x goals, footballs spaced out around the outside of the pitch

In Possession Final Third

• The blue team will be attacking in a 1-4-3-3 shape against a 1-2-3-3
  
• When attacking the team are in possession they will look to switch the play quickly to disrupt the defensive unit/structure to create opportunities to cross/shoot or be aggressive in 1v1 situations 

• Problems for the attacking team could be if the out of possession team press their CB's who are key for build up
• If this were to happen I would challenge the GK to play to the wide player as quick as possible skipping any build up play if they have space to exploit 
• Another problem could be if they compact the pitch centrally - though we would be able to switch the ball more freely there may not be success in creating opportunities to score
• If this was to happen I would ask the CB to come wider to draw space in the middle and if they still remain compact then create a 2v1 situation in the wide zone
• If the CB steps forward I would also ask the number 6 to get behind the ball to recycle possession or stop any counter attacks and not leaving our last CB isolated 

Technical Detail for Attackers

• Consider ball speed when switching the play
• Body shape to look to play forward
• Create space by being wide
• Variation of passes - diagonal, long or short

Tactical Detail for Attackers

• Angles off the ball to receive
• Create width and depth from wide players & ST
• Recognise space to play into or move into
• Be patient in build up

Challenges

• When defending team win possession can they score directly off the counter
• In possession can the 2 wide midfielders be as wide as possible
• Can the CB be behind the ball at all times to support for a switch of play

• Half a pitch is the playing area
  

• Defending team must score in opposing goal

• Game will restart either with GK or throw ins. Balls are dotted around the pitch for quick restarts to hopefully create more overloads
  

Blocks

• The session will be split into 3x blocks
• Block 1 - CB or GK find the wide players quickly
  
• Block 2 - I would ask the CM players to drop deeper to help with the build up of possession then switch through midfield
• Block 3 - Free play

• I would use terminal interventions to get the players understand how we may create different variations to create scoring/shooting chances - the use of visual aides with the tactics board would be used

• I would also use walk through for coaching points alongside concurrent feedback whilst the ball is in play