There’s a lot of talk about possession style football [soccer]… To possess the ball you need to know how to switch the field. There are different ways, but the most common is using your defenders. Whether in the defensive or middle third, the defenders can switch the field by either playing through the center back or mid. Another option is hitting a long ball from left to right or vice versa. If players are not encouraged or taught it won’t happen much. When in the attacking third you could also switch the field, but it’s not as common – unless it’s a very skillful & patient team. Most teams in the attacking third are crossing or playing through balls.
Player positions who switch the field most
Every position allows it and plays a key role.
With a possession team, the center mid and backs get more touches because they link both sides.
The outside players off the ball movement is vital in staying wide because it opens up space in the middle.
When things get congested in the attacking third it’s a good idea to play the ball back to switch or play the long ball across.
Training on your own
How to practice by yourself – switching the field
You need 2 rebounders or 1 + a wall…
Brick walls are free and work great, but not always easy to use where you need.
Get this rebound net – less expensive OR more expensive, BUT larger, multi use – my favorite
Why very few youth teams possess
Most youth teams even in high school are not possessing the ball. You’ll see 2-4 passes and then a turnover.
If your team isn’t connecting 6-10 passes in a row several times through out the game, you’re not a possession team.
For there to be young teams playing like pros there has to be a mix of good coaching yes, but also a complete roster of players who have knowledge and comfort on the ball.
U12 Barca-USA vs FC Dallas ⇑
One of the main things that has to happen is for the coach to be willing to let players make mistakes.
Players have to be allowed to take risks.
In practice there needs to be lots of rondos to build 1st touch and passing while under pressure.
Then making the team play out of the back as well as possessing in the middle third. When in the middle third there has to be times where players pass the ball backwards for the defenders to then switch the field.
3 ways to switch the field
This depends on the part of the field…
Playing out of the back, middle and attack thirds.
3 common situations
- It could be outside back, to center back, then to the other outside back or mid.
- Outside mid to either of the backs or even a big switch to the other outside mid.
- Any outside player passing to the center mid, who then switches the field [passes the ball] to the other side of the field.
“Players must be continually taught and reminded.”
The art of switching play – part. 2
When your opponent “parks the bus”
Parking the bus means when the other team keeps most of their players back.
When there are 8 players close together guarding the goal it looks like a bus full of people:)
Switching the play/field is needed because it draws the defenders out wide.
Once the ball goes wide some of the defenders have to go, while others stay in the middle.
The defenders who stay in the middle have to mark up, but when the ball is wide it’s hard to see the man and ball at the same time.
Patience is needed for the attacking team…
There’s no rush.
The key is to keep possession of the ball and get quality crosses and combinations in the box.
⇑ Private 1:1 with college defender Parker [University of Cal Poly]
Training players to switch the field
1:1 or small group
One way to train players is having them switch the field at team practice in an unopposed drill [no pressure].
Then after spending time with no pressure, add 1 or 2 defenders to make it more game-like.
Team settings
In a full squad session have 1 team play out of the back…
- Younger or less skilled team: Have them only go against 3-5 players. Making it easier will allow them to possess the ball more and get used to switching the field.
- More advance team: Play out of the back [from the keeper] going against a full team. Try it with low and high pressure to see how they handle it.
Players need to know and be reminded that it’s okay to make mistakes and that to be a really good team you have to take risks.
The reward is more possession and shots on goal.
How one player can set the tone
In case you’re a player and don’t have a coach who encourages or teaches possession, you can be the one to do it.
If you watch youth soccer [any age] you will hardly see teams switching the play…
Part of it is a player who panics and just kicks the ball up – ruining any type of flow.
At the end of the day, the players have more power because they’re actually on the field making the decisions.
In my 7 years playing pro soccer, 4 years in college and growing up as a youth – most of my coaches allowed us to play and make our own choices in games.
As long as you’re not losing the ball a lot, you should be fine to do what you want.
So here’s what you do…
A few times a game make the choice to pass it back to the center back or outside back and tell them to switch the field.
In doing this, you’ll help train your teammates to trust the process.
Scanning the field before getting the ball
Remember to constantly scan the field.
Players who do this give themselves a huge advantage.
If you know who’s open before you get the ball it’s less stressful and you can release it sooner if needed.
Scanning also allows you to evade defenders without having to look up after you get the ball because you already know where to pass.
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