58: Grow Coach Newsletter
Football Coaches: Develop your Coaching Craft.
Welcome from JustCoachMD. We are happy to have you on board and look forward to providing you with helpful content.
Here is What to Expect:
Coaching Craft: Switching the Point of the Attack.
Full 60-Minute Practice: 3 x practices to work on Switching the Point of the Attack.
Patience and vision are key in switching play. Its not just about playing wide, its about seeing where the space is and delivering the ball at the right time. - Carlo Ancelotti
Switch It Up: The Key to Unlocking Defences
Switching play is an essential tactical concept in soccer, involving the rapid movement of the ball from one side of the field to the other. This strategy aims to exploit space, unbalance the opponent, and create attacking opportunities.
Understanding how and when to switch play can elevate a team’s ability to control games and penetrate defensive setups.
What is Switching Play?
Switching play refers to quickly transferring the ball from one flank to the other to bypass pressure or exploit space left by the opposition. It can be achieved through direct long passes, quick combinations, or purposeful ball circulation.
Effective switching disrupts defensive structures, stretches the opposition, and opens gaps for attacking opportunities.
Why Do Teams Switch Play?
1. Exploit Space: Opponents often defend compactly on one side of the field, leaving space available on the opposite flank.
2. Unbalance the Defense: Moving the ball quickly forces defenders to shift across the pitch, creating gaps to exploit.
3. Counteract High Pressure: Switching play can bypass intense pressing by moving the ball into less congested areas.
4. Create Attacking Overloads: By switching play, teams can create numerical superiority on the weak side, giving attackers more time and space to operate.
5. Increase Tempo: Switching play at speed allows the attacking team to dictate the pace and keep the opposition on the back foot.
Key Coaching Points for Switching Play
Individual Execution
1. Passing Technique
Ensure passes are accurate, well-weighted, and purposeful. Use driven, lofted, or clipped passes based on the situation.
Use proper body shape and follow-through to deliver precise long-range switches.
2. Scanning and Awareness
Always scan the field before receiving the ball to identify open teammates and available space.
Look for weak-side opportunities by checking the positioning of the opposition.
3. Body Positioning
Position yourself side-on when receiving to open your body toward both flanks.
Use the first touch to prepare for a quick switch of play, either directly or through a teammate.
4. Decision-Making
Assess whether the switch is the best option, and don’t force it if better solutions are available.
Decide quickly to avoid giving the opposition time to adjust.
Collective Execution
1. Creating Angles
Players on the weak side should position themselves wide and high to stretch the opponent’s shape.
Midfielders must provide diagonal passing lanes to facilitate the switch.
2. Ball Circulation
Move the ball quickly and cleanly across the pitch, using a mix of short and long passes.
Avoid over-reliance on lateral passes by including vertical or diagonal options to maintain unpredictability.
3. Stretching the Opposition
Use width effectively to create space in central areas. Wingers and full-backs should stay wide to occupy defenders and create room for midfielders or forwards to exploit.
4. Timing and Tempo
Switch play when the defence is compact on one side, ensuring the ball arrives on the weak side before the opponent can recover.
Increase the tempo when switching to catch the opposition off-guard.
5 Tactical Considerations for Switching Play
1. Recognising Triggers to Switch
Overload on One Side: If the opposition commits too many players to one flank, switch to exploit the underloaded side.
Space on the Weak Side: Identify when the weak-side player has time and space to advance or cross.
High Press: Switch quickly to escape pressure and transition into attack.
2. Use of Wide Players
Wide players must stay engaged and ready to receive switches. They should provide width and time for their runs to capitalise on the space created.
3. Involving the Full-Backs and Goalkeeper
Full-backs are often key in receiving and delivering switches, either through overlapping runs or long passes.
The goalkeeper can also switch play with precise distribution, bypassing pressure and initiating attacks.
4. Breaking Defensive Lines
Switch play to penetrate rather than just recycle possession. Look for players between the lines who can exploit gaps after the switch.
5. Game State and Context
In a defensive phase, use switches to maintain possession and relieve pressure.
In an attacking phase, switch play to accelerate transitions and increase attacking momentum.
Player Questioning | Slice or Switch
For Individuals
Are you scanning the field before receiving the ball to recognise the opportunity to switch play?
Are your passes accurate, purposeful, and well-timed?
For the Team
Can we use width effectively to stretch the opponent and create space?
Do we recognise when and how to switch play to disrupt the opposition’s structure?
On Timing
Are we switching play quickly enough to exploit space before the opponent can shift?
Can we identify the triggers to switch and execute with precision?
Final Thoughts:
Switching play is one of the most effective ways to break down compact defences and dominate possession. It requires technical skill, tactical intelligence, and collective coordination.
For players, the key lies in scanning the field, making quick decisions, and delivering precise passes. For coaches, the focus should be on teaching players how to identify opportunities, maintain width, and use tempo to stretch the opposition.
When executed well, switching play frustrates opponents and opens up a world of attacking possibilities. It is not just a tactical tool but a mindset that empowers teams to dictate the game and unlock their full potential on the field.
When you stretch the game, you create space not just for wingers but for everyone. Switching play is about moving the opponent, not just the ball. - Jurgen Klopp
Fast Passing Patterns | Switching Play
Fast Passing Patterns to Switch Play
⚽️ Created On: @SSPlanner
Aim:
Fast passing patterns to work on switching play
Set-Up:
20 by 45-yard space. Space out some manikins and place a player on each one.
👕 Teams: ⚫️s work through the passing patterns. They pass and follow around to the next zone.
How to Play:
Players work through the following passing patterns:
1️⃣ Pass and follow (back foot receiving focus)
2️⃣ Pass- Set - Slide
🚧 Constraints:
🏆Reward: Add mini-goals to the patterns and players score in the mini-goal when they return to the start point.
👨🏫 Review: Back foot receiving, fast and firm passing, setting up the next action with your touch.
🚫 Restriction: Time limit to get around the passing circuit.
Possession Practice | Switching Play
⚽️ Created On: @SSPlanner
Aim:
Switching play to score.
Set-Up:
On a 45 by 20 pitch, break up the field into thirds. (A. B. C.)
👕 Teams: ⚫️s Attacking and defending team,🔴s Attacking and defending tea, 🟡 Support players.
How to Play:
Each team scores by connecting 3-5 passes in their allocated scoring zone.
⚫️s score in zone C.
🔴s score in zone A.
The defending team regains the ball ⚽️ and transfers via the middle zone.
Teams must connect at least three passes in the central zone before transferring the ball ⚽️ to their scoring zone.
🚧 Constraints:
🏆Reward: Bonus goals for one-touch transfers to a team’s scoring zone.
👨🏫 Review: Secure the ball, Stay on the ball or switch it? - How do you know which option to take?
🚫 Restriction: Reduce the touch limit and pass limit in the opponent’s scoring zone and central zone. (Two touches).
SSG | Switching Play | Secure and Score
⚽️ Created On: @SSPlanner
Aim:
Small small-sided game to target when to switch the point of attack.
Set-Up:
On a 45 by 20 pitch, break up the field into thirds. (A. B. C.).
Place a pair of mini goals back to back with a small gap between 🥅. (A. C.)
👕 Teams: ⚫️s Attacking and defending team, 🔴s Attacking and defending team, 🟡s Support players.
How to Play:
The possession team look 👀 to connect 3-5 passes in zone B. Before moving the ball into zone A or C to score in a mini goal 🥅.
If a team scores the opponents restart the practice from the goal 🥅 where they conceded.
They must work the ball into the central zone (connect the pass target 3-5) before being allowed to score on any goal. 🥅
🚧 Constraints:
🏆Reward: Double points if a team can receive the ball into zone areas A & C before scoring.
👨🏫 Review: Body shape to open up the space, Speed and accuracy of passing, When to stay on the ball and when to move it on.
🚫 Restriction: Get rid of passing targets centrally and put a 2-pass target in each area (A.B.C.) before scoring.
The secret to creating chances is to bring the ball from one side to the other as quickly as possible. The opponent cannot adjust fast enough, and this is where the gaps appear. - Pep Guardiola
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