Football/Soccer Session (Beginner): Switching play across the pitch (final shot)

Switching play across the pitch (15 mins)

The Drill

The drill starts in position A with a pass played from the left to the centre.

Player in position B receives the ball with their back foot (right foot), opening up his body for a pass out to the right.

Player in position C, moves forward onto the pass and similarly receives the ball with their back foot (right foot), pushing the ball down the line a few yards (simulates taking the ball past a player or driving down space).

Player C, then squares the ball back into the centre of the pitch and continues down the line.

Player B has moved forward to meet the pass, receiving the ball on their back foot (this time left foot), before playing a pass out to Player A (with their left foot)

Player C, moves forward onto the pass and similarly receives the ball with their back foot (left foot), pushing the ball down the line a few yards (simulates taking the ball past a player or driving down space).

Repeat down the pitch until level with the box, from where one wide player is crossing for player B at the front post and the opposite wide player follows in at the back post.

Player A then rejoins line B, Player B joins line C and Player C collects the ball and joins line A

Repeat the full drill until each player has rotated each position at least 3 times.

Coaching Points

Weight of pass

Control of ball (receiving the ball on the back foot), emphasize open up their body to the direction they want to go.

Control touch should get the ball out of the players feet and set up for a pass.

Firm pass, striking through the ball with the inside of the foot (ankle locked, toe up)

Finishing (Hitting the target and picking a corner).

Encourage receiving player calling for the pass.

Progression

Once competent, challenge the players to only have 2 touches (control and pass) with a first time shot.

Player B can opt to check back on receiving pass and play back to same wide player

Players A & C can opt to switch play bypassing Player B (emphasis on pass accuracy and control)