Football/Soccer Session (Moderate): Switching play through a central zone transition game

Switching play through a central zone transition game drill (20 mins)

Description

8 v 4 situation in this 3 zone possession game. The area (flexible in size) is split into 3 zones: 2 for the team in possession and 1 central zone for a team of defenders.

The defensive team must work in pairs and look to press the attackers who have to pass the ball between them a set number of times before switching the ball through the central area to the other side.

If the central players intercept the ball they then switch roles with the 4 players at the end where the ball was lost. This should encourage all players to think about how they should defend.

Coaching Points

1. Maintain high levels of pressing keep the numbers of passes required low.

2. If players are struggling to keep possession, it may be beneficial to limit the number of defenders who are pressing to one.

3. The area has been 'centralised' to represent a match-realistic scenario where defenders are defending deep in narrow and compact zones at the edge of the penalty area.