Switching play (moving the ball from one side of the pitch to the other) will allow teams to create significantly more space on a soccer pitch creating greater opportunity for possession and can lead to better goalscoring situations.

Changing the point of attack requires team coordination, reasonable passing ability and timing, but get it right and it’s a potent weapon for your team.

How to set it up:

• Set up a 60 yd wide  x 60 yd long playing area.
• On both end lines create two goals, five yards wide using flags or cones. Place goals 10 yards inside the sideline. Each team defends the two goals on it’s endline while attacking the two goals on the opposite endline.
• Teams of 5 v5 or 6 v6 works well.

Getting started:

• Teams maintain possession while trying to score in either goal on the opposing end line.

Tactics and coaching points:

• Tactically if one goal gets crowded the offensive team should switch play and attack the more open goal. Use quick switching of  play to find space – with both short and long passes to score in either goal.
• Transitions from D to O should offer counter attacks in the opposite field.
• A team with the ability to possess should be able to draw the defense to one side/goal and switch play quickly to attack openings on the opposite field finding 2 v 1′s, or slashing runs of teammates making runs from one goal to the other.
• Swing ball around the back to maintain possession and create attacking opportunities as the defense shifts to protect obvious goal opportunities.
• Encourage horizontal or diagonal runs by attackers similar to runs to a flag or across a defensive front to stay onsides until the ball is played. diagonal runs are great for seeking space as well as creating space behind the runner.
• Encourage short passes when teams have numerical advantage while looking to switch play with a long ball to attack.
• Attacking from the sidelines gives the passer an option to play a through ball toward the near goal or a long cross to the far goal.
• Attacking from the middle of the field gives players the opportunity to force defenders to commit which could create wall passes, third man options, solo runs etc…

Why this works:

The session encourages possession and patience and teaches players not to force play when the part of the side of the field they are attacking becomes crowded. Learning to switch the field of play is essential to keeping possession of the ball and it stretches defenses which will create space in which players can have more time to make a decision and allow them to take better risk when warranted. Teams that can hold onto the ball and make use of the space will create lots of scoring chances.

Defensively this session will help players work on rotating to the ball to close down passing lanes and shooting lanes. Communication is key to make sure the most dangerous player is marked on transition and when field of play is switched successfully by the opponent.