Turn on the switch – Warm Up

WHY USE IT

This three-part session develops players’ awareness and ability to switch the play in the creative phase, with the aim of creating gaps in the opposition’s defence to play a killer central pass and creating goalscoring opportunities.

SET UP

Set up an area relative to your players’ age and ability. Split the area into quarters. Two teams of five can play simultaneously to start, working in opposite directions, with a ball each. Two players from each team should start on opposing sides of the area, with their remaining players working in the middle. Add a neutral player to play centrally for both teams if numbers allow.

HOW TO PLAY

Teams aim to switch the play from one of their end target players to the other, via the central players where possible. Once they have been doing this successfully and at a good tempo for a few minutes, they can then play against each other with one ball.

COACHING POINTS

Encourage central players to work in different quarters to their team-mates, offering angles of support. Players should aim to receive with the back foot, with an open body, to enable a quick switch of play.

1. Two teams play simultaneously in opposite directions, switching play through their central players