Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Samuel Holmshaw - General practice session 4 - Switching Play

OOP 1

Set up: Create a 40 x 15 playing area, that is split into 3 zones, the middle zone being 10m and the two end zones being 15m in width. Split the group up into two teams of six. The team starting IP positions in both end zones (split up into two teams of 3) The team starting OOP can position 4 players in the middle zone, with two players able to start in the wide area.

Timings: 5 x 2 minute blocks, with a 60 second rest in-between.

To Start: the objective of the game is for the IP team to switch the play from one zone. After a successful switch of play, the team can look to score in either goal in their end zone.

If the defensive team win the ball, they may also look to score a goal in the end zone that they won possession from.

Conditions: Each possession team must complete between 3 and 5 passes before switching the play to the other end zone.

The defending team are only allowed 1 players to move into the opponents end zone. They may rotate players, allowing the nearest defender to press the ball. 

Upon winning the ball, the defensive team are now allowed to commit unlimited players into the end zone in an attempt to score 

Target: Try to prevent the team from switching play initially, upon regaining the ball attempt to score a goal in the end zone possession was won from.

Challenges: Challenge the team to stopping the switch and regaining the ball or forcing the ball out of play.

Progressions 

Remove the passing condition for the attacking team, now attackers can switch the play immediately to score. 

Add an IP player on the sideline to allow playing around to switch and allow an IP player enter the middle area to link play and switch. 

Regressions:

If not enough success in stopping the switch of play, consider allowing a second defender to enter the end zone to press. 

Add the condition that the ball can only be played on the floor meaning the team IP is now not allowed to switch by playing over.

Coaching points: 

After block 1: The nearest player should press the ball immediately. Acceleration, Deceleration, Body Shape, Distance from attacker (dictate where), Delay or win ball (how do we decide? {oppositions first touch, body shape, movements, situations around us}). Don’t stab at the ball, use the jockey technique.

Individual + 1: When the player makers the decision to press, teammate drops back into the shape.

Pressing pattern, when pressing in wide areas, attempt to force the player outside to limit passing options to switch, forcing inside may allow the player to find the spare player that engages a switch. Teammates must block passing lanes to prevent play across.

After block 2: Force the opposition to play wide, after nearest player presses, engage in defensive lines to block central passing lanes and shift across left or right to follow the ball.

Individual + 1: When the player makes the decision to press, a teammate must shift across to cover the vacated space.

After block 3: Keep the oppositions play predictable by dictating their play, fast initial pressure and blocking the passing should always force the play wide

After block 4: Leave the furthest players - follow the play, shifting across left or right, if the play is transferred to the furthest player, nearest player fast pressure, remaining defenders engage in defensive lines and shift across.

OOP 2

Set up:

Create a 35 x 50m area. Split the area into 4 zones, with two wide zones being 10m in length and two central zones being 15m in length. Add 3 mini goals as shown in the diagram, two in each wide zone and one in-between both central zones. Split the group up into two teams of 6.

5 x 2 minute blocks, with a 60 second rest in-between.

Conditions: The team in possession can spread across all 4 channels. The team out of possession can move in central areas, but may only move into the wide area once the play has entered the wide area. 

This will assist learning on leaving the furthest players, and forcing the play wide to then get across and press quickly to regain the ball.

Targets: The target for the defensive team is to win possession, then build or switch the play quickly to counter attack and score.

Challenges: Can the defensive team get compact into defensive lines, attempt to dictate the opposition play wide and then press quickly to regain the ball.

Challenge the defensive team to how many times they can prevent the switch of play and how many regains they can make to score. 

Progressions: If the defenders need a progression, add the challenge that once the play has been switched into the wide area, the defenders cannot enter, forcing defenders to stop the switch of play before it is transferred wide.

Regressions: If too difficult for defenders, allow one defender to go into each wide zone, only 1 defender can enter the wide zone at any one time. 

Coaching points: 

After block 1: The nearest player should press the ball immediately. Acceleration, Deceleration, Body Shape, Distance from attacker (dictate where), Delay or win ball (how do we decide? {oppositions first touch, body shape, movements, situations around us}). Don’t stab at the ball, use the jockey technique.

Individual + 1: When the player makers the decision to press, previous pressing teammate drops back into the shape.

Pressing pattern, in wide areas attempt to force the player outside to limit passing options to switch, forcing inside may allow the player to find the spare player that engages a switch. Teammates must block passing lanes to prevent play across. When pressing centrally, attempt to force the player wide though blocking the central passing lanes.

After block 2: Force the opposition to play wide (or around), after nearest player presses, engage in defensive lines to block central passing lanes and shift across left or right to follow the ball.

Individual + 1: When the player makers the decision to press, a teammate must shift across to cover the vacated space. 

After block 3: Keep the oppositions play predictable by dictating their play, fast initial pressure and blocking the passing should either keep the play in one wide area to force a mistake, or force the play wide. 

After block 4: Leave the furthest players - follow the play, shifting across left or right, if the play is transferred to the furthest player, nearest player fast pressure on the ball, especially when transferred into wide areas, remaining defenders engage in defensive lines and shift across.

Repeat coaching points during concurrent feedback when necessary, may use walkthrough feedback when required.

Consider progressing or regressing practice in-between blocks.