Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Switching Play

Specific (30 mins)

Specific Practice

Welsh Way Principle 

- Understanding how & when to switch play.

Organisation & Area size

70yd x 65yd pitch 

70yd x 10 shaded end thirds

3 x mini goals - as shown

1 x full size goal

Balls, cones & bibs

1 x full size goal set further back for the SSG

Extra diagonal red taping to extend the pitch by 15yards for the SSG

Blue Keeper / Red No 9 & Blue No 9

Mini goals will be removed for the SSG

REDS 1-3-4

BLUES 4-2-1

7 x 7 + 1 Keeper

Key Factors:

- Switching play / In Possession

- Specific Session

- Number of players: 15

- Time: 15 minutes

Explanation / How

- I will be working with the RED team in possession.

- Play will start with the RED keeper who will play the ball into one of the RED defenders.

- The REDS will aim to get the ball wide into the shaded channels as quickly as possible.

- REDS must switch the ball from one channel to the next before they are allowed to score in any of the 3 mini-goals.

- The REDS will get 1  point for scoring in the channel goals and 2 points for scoring in the central goal.This will encourage the advanced midfielder or striker to receive from the wings and face a potential 1v1 situation (this is likely to happen in an 11v11 game.

- Resume from the RED keeper when the ball goes out of play.

- BLUES aim is to score into the large goal as quickly as possible following the same principles as best they can.

- REDS fullbacks are to keep wide to create space in the middle,this will create an option to switch play.

- REDS to be clever receiving the ball with opening their body and correct angle,this will enable passes to be quick and accurate as your switching play.If the ball is played too slowly this will allow the opposition as a unit to gain possession quickly.

- REDS must be patient and not rush to switch play if its not on.

- BLUES (managing opposition) are only allowed in 2 of the 3 zones at any time when defending,this creates REALISM in the session.

- BLUES will be encouraged to press the REDS,this will give the REDS  the REALISM of a proper game and will make them think about what they are doing.

- When the BLUES win possession they will be allowed to play in all 3 zones and attempt to score as quickly as possible.

Challenges,Targets & Conditions:

 1.REDS to switch play 3 times before they score in the mini-goals.

 2.REDS are given 3 points for a goal scored in the central mini-goal.

 3.BLUES challenged to score within 3 passes.

 4.BLUES target is to press the REDS and force mistakes and gain possession.

 

Interventions: 

Concurrent

Terminal 

(Walkthrough) Visual Demonstration

Reflection

session went well, good level of understanding from team and a good tempo to the session with a nice flow, in future to improve the session i would say i could overload the defensive team to make it more difficult to break out of the specific.

small sided game was also well taken on with elements of the specific being show well by the group, id probably make the pitch shorter in future as it become a bit too open and had to much space to open up the pitch for the switch of play which took some of the tempo away from the session towards the end.

felt i had good interventions overall which progressed the session nicely, everyone had a good understanding of the next steps through the interventions and helped players individually with there postioning and thought process when switching the play.