Underload 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 34 x 24 yards area.
2. 2Add one extra defender to the working area and mark their start position with a flat cone.
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 attacking group starts a player short, so every entry pass has to be sharp.
5. 5Defenders score a point for every clean turnover; attackers need three clean end actions to win the round.

Progressions

• +Add a second extra defender
• +Raise the demand once the group is consistently successful

Regressions

• -Even the numbers up again
• -Simplify the area or the service until success returns

Variations

• -Attackers get one 'free pass' per round they can call
• -Run the practice on the opposite side of the pitch

Common mistakes

• -Switching straight into pressure
• -Far side drifting inside too early
• -Trying to beat two players instead of releasing early