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Switching the point of attack LATEST SESSIONS

Picking the right pass forward
by Tony Docherty in Attacking
Switching the point of attack
PRINT  Defending crosses
Switching play to score
This is all about encouraging players to switch the point of attack at pace. We would run this if we were Improving the defence
playing against a team with narrow support, such as a narrow back three and a diamond mid eld. The Attacking combinations
idea behind the session is to get the ball into wide areas of the pitch, enabling teams to cross into the Direct distribution
runs of the attackers. Possession with penetration
Mid eld magic
As we like to get the tempo of the session as high as possible straight from the start, we warm up with 1v1s through the middle
an intense possession practice. The session then progresses through a series of activities that will make Keeper match day warm-up
players think about switching the point of attack at speed and making supporting runs into the penalty Defending as a back four unit

area to meet crosses delivered from the wide channels. SEE ALL

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Passing through the lines
Defensive organisation
Counter-attacking
SET-UP Defending as a back four
Passing on the half turn
Area Crossing and nishing
Up to 60×70 yards Breaking lines
Equipment High speed counter-attacks
Balls, bibs, cones, 4 mannequins,
Attacking with an overload
4 mini target goals, 2 full size goals
Turning to play forward
Number of Players
Up to 16 players + 2 goalkeepers
Session time
Warm-up: 10mins COMING SOON
Switch play: 15mins
Owen Coyle
Switching to cross: 15mins
Preparing the back four
Runs to attack cross: 15mins
Paul Peschisolido
Conditioned game: 20mins
Creating space in mid eld
What do I get the players to do?

Warm-up IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

We set up a hexagon-shaped area with each of its six sides measuring seven yards in length. We’re using
10 players, split into two teams of ve. Three players from each team are positioned on the outside edges
of the hexagon, leaving two players from each team in the centre, as shown [1].

One team passes under pressure, with the inside players linking up with their team mates on the outside
to keep hold of the ball, creating a 5v2 in favour of the team in possession.

We can progress the warm-up by increasing the dimensions of the hexagon to eight yards on each side GET OUR FREE EMAIL
and by adding a player to each team, making it 3v3 in the centre. NEWSLETTER
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1. It’s 2v2 in the centre of the hexagon. The reds pass the ball to keep possession
2. The reds can use their team mates on the outside to help them keep the ball, making it 5v2 when
in possession
3. The blues in the centre press and try to win possession

Switch play

We set up an area of 50×30 yards with a row of mannequins between the two halves. Two target goals
are positioned at an angle on each side of the pitch, level with the mannequins. We’re using 13 players
divided into two teams of six, plus a oater.

The possession team starts with all of their players in one half, while their opponents have four players in
that half and two players in the other half. The possession team links with the oater to keep hold of the
ball and they must make at least four passes before attempting to score in one of the target goals, as
shown [2a].

2a

1. Play starts with a pass from the coach to the blue possession team of six
2. The blues link up with the yellow oater to switch the ball from side to side at pace
3. The possession team must make four passes before scoring in a target goal. If they score they
keep possession and switch the play again to score in the other goal
4. The four reds press the possession team and try to win the ball

If they score in one goal, the coach serves another ball to the possession team and they continue to pass,
switching the play to the other side of the same half so they can score in the second goal.

The defending team attempts to win the ball and if successful, they must quickly switch the play to their
two team mates in the other half by passing through the mannequins, as shown [2b]. The four pressers
then join their team mates in the other half, along with the oater. Four of their opponents also change
ends, creating a new 7v4 in the other half. They are now the new possession team and together with the
oater they should pass the ball under pressure and try to score in one of the mini goals.

It is important for the success of the activity that teams switch the play from side to side with pace.

2b

1. After scoring, the blues retain possession and play restarts from the coach
2. The reds win the ball and quickly switch the play by passing through the mannequins to their
team mates in the other half
3. The four reds and the oater follow the ball into the other half and become the new possession
team. Play continues with the reds now trying to score
4. Four of the six blues should also follow the ball into the other half to become the new pressing
team

Switching to cross

This activity is all about switching the point of attack and scoring from a cross.

We set up an area of 60×40 yards with a 20×20-yard box marked out in the centre and a full size goal and
goalkeeper at each end. Four mannequins are positioned as shown [3].

We’re using 15 out eld players, split into two teams of seven and one oater, who plays for the team in
possession. It’s 5v5 plus the oater in the central box and each team has two unopposed wingers
outside the box in the half they are attacking.

The team in possession must make six passes incorporating a switch of play and then pass to one of the
wide players outside the box. On receiving the pass, the wide player dribbles past the mannequin, while
two attackers make runs out of the central box to attack the cross.

If the possession team scores from the cross, they restart with the ball. If they don’t score, the other team
gains possession with a starting pass into the central box from their goalkeeper.

1. The reds keep the ball with the help of the yellow oater. They must make six passes, including a
switch of play
2. The blues press the ball and try to gain possession
3. After six passes the reds can pass out to the winger, who dribbles past the mannequin to cross
4. The pass to the wide man triggers two attackers to break out of the central box. If they score
they keep possession when play restarts again

Runs to attack cross

We set up on half a pitch, with a goal and a goalkeeper at one end. We’re using four out eld players for
this crossing drill, set up as shown [4].

Player 1 starts with a pass to player 2 and then makes an overlapping run into the wide channel. Player 2
receives and passes to either player 3 or player 4, who combine to work the ball out to player 1 in the
wide channel. Player 1 crosses and players 2, 3 and 4 make runs into the penalty area to attack the cross.

Repeat the drill on the left so crosses come from both sides of the pitch.

1. Player 1 starts the drill with a pass to player 2 and then makes an overlapping run into the wide
channel
2. Player 2 passes to either player 3 or 4, who combine to work the ball to player 1 on the wing
3. Player 1 crosses into the penalty area
4. Players 2, 3 and 4 make runs to attack the cross and try to score

How would you put this into a game situation?

Conditioned game

We set up an area of 60×50 yards with additional 10-yard wide channels on either side and a goal and
goalkeeper at each end. Four mannequins are set up in the wide channels, as shown [5]. We’re using 16
out eld players in an 8v8 game.

The players are encouraged to pass the ball into the unopposed wide channels as quickly as possible.
Only one wide player can go into the channel to receive the ball and he must beat the mannequin and
cross into the box, where his team mates attempt to score.

1. Play an 8v8 game and condition players to pass into one of the wide channels as quickly as
possible
2. One wide player can go into the unopposed wide channel to receive the pass. He then beats the
mannequin and crosses
3. The forwards attack the cross and attempt to score

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About Tony Docherty

Currently assistant manager of Aberdeen in the Scottish Premier League, Tony Docherty began his coaching
career in 2002 at Falkirk, initially as a community coach but later as assistant manager.

View all sessions by Tony Docherty >

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