Wide Channel 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. 2Mark five-yard channels down both touchlines with flat cones.
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 practice is started by a pass into one of the wide channels.
5. 5End actions only count when the ball has travelled through a wide channel first.

Progressions

• +Defender allowed into the channel to make it live
• +Raise the demand once the group is consistently successful

Regressions

• -Channel is a free zone with no defender at all
• -Simplify the area or the service until success returns

Variations

• -Switch the ball to the far channel before the end action
• -Run the practice on the opposite side of the pitch

Common mistakes

• -Switching straight into pressure
• -Far side drifting inside too early
• -Everything funnelling into a crowded middle