Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Football lesson - gameplay & Tactics
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Philip Nemeth
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115 mins
FAW UEFA B Small-Sided Game (15 Minutes) – Switching Play (8v8)
Objective:
Develop players’ ability to recognize and execute effective switches of play to exploit space and progress the attack.
Setup:
- Players: 8v8 (including goalkeepers).
- Pitch Size: 60x50 yards (adaptable based on ability level).
- Equipment: Balls, bibs, cones, two full-size goals.
- Structure:
- Teams play in a 1-3-3-1 formation to encourage width.
- A split pitch is marked into three vertical zones to reinforce switching principles.
- Goals can only be scored after a successful switch of play from one wide zone to the opposite side.
SSG Structure & Rules:
- Normal 8v8 gameplay, but the attacking team must switch play before scoring.
- Ball must travel through at least two zones before entering the final third.
- Defending team aims to compact play and force opponents centrally while being aware of switching threats.
- If the defending team wins possession, they must transition quickly to a counterattack.
- Coaching interventions focus on width, scanning, and timing of switches.
- Rotate teams every 5 minutes for fairness and tactical adjustments.
FAW UEFA B Coaching Points:
- Positioning for Width: Encourage full-backs & wingers to stay high and wide.
- Recognizing Overloads: Identify when and where a switch will exploit defensive weaknesses.
- Ball Speed & Accuracy: Play switches with urgency and precision to prevent defensive shifts.
- Scanning & Decision-Making: Players must assess options before receiving to avoid slowing the attack.
- Timing of Switches: Emphasize switching at the right moment—when the defense is unbalanced.
Progressions:
- Introduce a neutral player to facilitate quicker switches.
- Limit touches in the central zone to force play wide.
- Award double goals for one-touch finishes after a switch.
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Principle Of Play: Switching Play
Specific Practise.
Working Back From 11 A Side: 4-2-3-1 (Blues) V 4-3-3 (Reds)
1-2-3-1 V 4-3
Players: 15
Objectives:
Switch the play around the opposition. Switch the play over the opposition Switch the play through the opposition Final third outcomes.
Description coach Blue Team Block 1 - Attacking team - Unopposed practice Block 2 - Create opposition - Realism - Problems / Solutions Objectives.
Welsh Way Coaching Points:
Make the pitch big
Maintain width
Decision making
Ball Speed
Exploit Space
Session Design:
- Players attempt to switch play and move opposition to one side to allow for a switch to attack the goal.
Scoring Systems:
- 2x mini goals for red team
- 1x 11 a side goal for blue team.