Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Practical 1 / General Practise / In possession / Switch of play

Switching play (20 mins)

Practical 1 / General Practise / In possession / Switch of play

Welsh way principles

Understand when and how to switch the point of attack based on the pressure applied from the opposition.

Organisation / Area Size

Area Size is 20 x 30 mtr with a half way line

4 x red, 4x red, 4 x blue bibs

12 players 4 v 4 in the middle, 3 common players that can play for either side in possession and 1 x yellow as sever.

Session Details

2 min Walk through.

To start the drill both teams will have a ball each unopposed and attempt to switch the ball from wide common player to the other side, they can use the central common player. once they've made a switch after receiving the ball back they can dribble through any of the four gates.

4 x 3min, Terminal feedback given in breaks.

Red team in possession after every switch of play can score by dribbling the ball through any of the 4 gates. Blue team try to win the ball/stop the switch if they win the ball they will adhere to the main principle. If the blue team are enjoying succsess they will need to be challenged by less touches, limited time and number of passess to switch the play.

For this session I will be coaching the RED team in possession and managing the BLUE team.

Key Points

RED Team

1. Make the pitch big (Width and Depth)

2. Use limited touches to move the balll quickly.

3. Speed of switch

4. Weight of pass

5. Movement to receive

6. Switch in as few passess as possible. (Not possession Game)

Out of possession

BLUE Team

1. Force the direction of play (Out wide)

2. Defend narrow

3. Leave the furthest player

4. Stop the switch at source

Challenges,Conditions,Targets

1. At least one player in possession must stay in the opposite half of the ball

2. Extra points for switching from one half to the other in one pass

3. Less touches for the out side players.

What to expect.

1. In possession teams will keep possession instead of working the switch quickly, players will play it safe. (Work on receiving on the back foott, on the half turn, Check shoulders)

2. Outside players will take time getting the ball back in play (Limited time on the ball)

3. Defensive team will stay wide and mark "their man" (Extra point for attacking team through the middle)

4. In possesion players will come to the ball closing down the space for recivers. (Width and Depth)