Counter Switch Play Grid

Objective

• -Practise switching the point of attack
• -Improve the long, driven pass and its control
• -Coach the shape that makes the switch available

Setup

1. 1A wide grid split into three vertical zones in a 42 x 32 yards area.
2. 2Place two mini goals on the halfway line for the counter-attacking side to aim at.
3. 3Balls in each wide zone, two sets of bibs.

How to play

1. 1Team keeps the ball in one wide zone until the switch is on.
2. 2A switch across the middle zone scores one point.
3. 3The receiving zone must take a controlled first touch forwards.
4. 4The team in possession starts each rep in their own half and must build forwards.
5. 5Turnovers earn a direct counter at the mini goals worth two points.

Progressions

• +Counter must be finished inside five seconds
• +Raise the demand once the group is consistently successful

Regressions

• -Award the counter goal for simply carrying over halfway
• -Simplify the area or the service until success returns

Variations

• -Swap the counter goals for a dribble-through gate
• -Run the practice on the opposite side of the pitch

Common mistakes

• -Switching straight into pressure
• -Far side drifting inside too early
• -Dribbling into traffic when the counter is on