Week 29

Outcomes

• ✓Players can identify when the ball side is overloaded and execute a switch within three passes
• ✓Players can deliver a driven, accurate switch pass across a 35-yard distance
• ✓Players can time a run to the far side to receive a switch and attack 1v1 before defenders recover
• ✓Players can trigger a switch from a midfield pivot position with a disguised turn

Equipment

• 14 cones
• 4 bibs (2 colours)
• 4 balls
• 2 full-size goals
• 2 goalkeepers
• 1 whiteboard + marker

Run of show

1. 1. Activation & 11+ Warm-Up

   15m

   Set up: Two groups of 6 in a 40×25 yd grid. Cones mark a central pivot zone (10×10 yds in the middle).

   How to run it: FIFA 11+: forward jog, lateral shuffle, backward run, hip mobility, single-leg balance, lateral hops, two acceleration runs. Add a switch warm-up: players pass to the central pivot zone, pivot player turns and switches to the far side. Increase tempo each rep. Finish with two 30-yd diagonal runs.

   • ›Pivot player opens their body before receiving so they can turn without an extra touch
   • ›Switch pass is a driven, low ball – not a lofted chip
   • ›Far-side runner checks their shoulder before the switch arrives

2. 2. Technical/Functional Practice – Switch Pattern Drill

   15m

   Set up: 40×30 yd grid. Cones mark a ball side (left), a pivot zone (centre), and a free side (right). Three pairs work simultaneously.

   How to run it: Ball-side pair plays a 1-2 to pull a passive defender toward them, then passes to the pivot. Pivot receives, turns, and plays a switch to the free-side player who has already started a diagonal run. Free-side player controls and crosses or shoots on a mini goal. Progress: add a live shadow defender on the free-side to create a 1v1.

   • ›Ball-side combination must be convincing to pull the defender across
   • ›Pivot's turn must be explosive – one touch to control, second touch to switch
   • ›Free-side player's run must be diagonal (not straight) to attack the space behind the recovering defender
   • ›Switch should land 2–3 yds in front of the runner – not at their feet

3. 3. Skill/Phase Game – 5v5 Overload Switch

   15m

   Set up: 50×35 yd pitch. 5v5 plus two permanent wide targets (one on each touchline). Teams score by switching to a wide target and then receiving a lay-off back into a runner.

   How to run it: Teams earn a point each time they successfully switch to the wide target and receive a lay-off inside the 10-yd scoring zone. The wide targets play with whoever has the ball. Switch must travel 25 yds or more to count. Play for 8 minutes, then reverse roles of the wide targets.

   • ›Identify the weak side before switching – are fewer defenders there?
   • ›Wide target must set their body to give a quality lay-off, not just receive
   • ›After the lay-off, the wide target must move to the box to become a third-man option

4. 4. Conditioned Tactical Game – Switch Bonus

   20m

   Set up: Full 60×44 yd pitch, 9v9 with goalkeepers. Cones mark two wide channels (5 yds each side of the pitch, full length).

   How to run it: Normal 9v9. Any goal scored within five seconds of a successful switch of play (ball travelling from one wide channel to the other) counts double. Coach counts passes after a switch to reinforce speed of transition. Freeze once to show the weak side opening up after a switch.

   • ›After receiving the switch, attack immediately – don't slow the tempo
   • ›The pivot role should be the deepest midfielder; they see both sides of the pitch
   • ›Defenders: shift compactly and quickly on the switch – the whole line must move together
   • ›Avoid switching into a crowded area – look before releasing the ball

5. 5. Scrimmage – Free Play

   15m

   Set up: Full pitch, 9v9, goalkeepers.

   How to run it: Open scrimmage. Observe switch attempts and note: Was the trigger (overloaded ball side) present? Was the pass accurate? Did the far-side player attack quickly?

   • ›Look for players identifying the switch opportunity organically
   • ›Note communication: is anyone calling 'switch!' or 'far side!' during play?

6. 6. Cool-Down & Debrief

   5m

   Set up: Circle on the centre spot.

   How to run it: Light stretching while coach asks: 'What has to be true before you switch play?' (Answer: ball side must be overloaded or closed down.) Name one player who made an excellent switch and one who needs to work on far-side movement.

   • ›Reinforce that switching is a tool, not a reflex – read the situation
   • ›Set homework: switch practice at home with a friend or against a wall

Outcomes

• ✓Players can create a 2v1 overload by switching the ball to an advanced wide player who then receives an overlap
• ✓Players can progress a 2v1 into a 3v2 by adding a third-man support runner in behind
• ✓Players can make the correct decision at the point of overload: dribble, pass, or shoot
• ✓Players can prevent the reset and score before the defence recovers its shape

Equipment

• 12 cones
• 6 bibs (3 colours)
• 4 balls
• 2 full-size goals
• 2 goalkeepers

Run of show

1. 1. Activation & 11+ Warm-Up

   15m

   Set up: Three groups of 4 in a 30×25 yd grid, each group with a ball.

   How to run it: FIFA 11+ warm-up: jogging, lateral shuffles, cutting movements, single-leg balance, lateral hops, two acceleration sprints. Add a 2v1 warm-up game: attacker 1 passes to attacker 2, who plays a 1-2 to create a 2v1 against a solo defender in a 15×10 yd mini zone. Attacker must score on a mini goal within 5 seconds of the 2v1 forming.

   • ›Attacking player on the ball: get close enough to commit the defender before playing the 1-2
   • ›Attacking player off the ball: move to support only after the pass is made, not before
   • ›Defender: deny the return pass first, then recover toward goal

2. 2. Technical/Functional Practice – Overload Exploitation Sequence

   15m

   Set up: Full-size goal with goalkeeper. 30×25 yd attacking zone. Start: 3 attackers vs 2 defenders. Ball starts with a central midfielder at the top of the zone.

   How to run it: Midfielder switches to a wide attacker (2v1 with an overlapping fullback). Wide attacker and fullback exploit the 2v1 against the defending fullback. A third attacker makes a late run into the box to create a 3v2 with the arriving central midfielder. Attackers must score within 8 seconds of the switch. Rotate all five roles after each rep.

   • ›2v1: draw the defender onto the ball before releasing to the overlap
   • ›Overlap player: attack the space behind the defender, not beside them
   • ›Third-man runner into the box must be the last to arrive – not an early, trackable run
   • ›Keep the overload compact – if the free player is 15 yds away they can't be exploited in time

3. 3. Skill/Phase Game – Overload Game (3v2+GK)

   15m

   Set up: Attacking half of pitch. Starts as 3v2 with goalkeeper. Coach adds a fourth attacker (3v2 becomes 4v3) once the ball enters the final third.

   How to run it: Attacking team builds from midfield in a 3v2. Once in the final third, the coach sends on a fourth attacker. Attacking team now has 4v3 plus the keeper. They must score within 10 seconds of the fourth attacker joining. Rotate roles every 3 reps. Defending trio earns a point for each completed clearance to the halfway line.

   • ›Identify the free player in the 4v3 immediately – play to them first
   • ›Don't over-dribble when outnumbered; the pass creates the advantage
   • ›Defenders: one stays central to block the cutback; two press the wide options

4. 4. Conditioned Tactical Game – Overload Reward

   20m

   Set up: Full 60×44 yd pitch, 9v9 with goalkeepers. Neutral player who plays with the team in possession adds a +1 overload throughout.

   How to run it: 9v9 (10v9 effectively). Neutral player rotates every 5 minutes. Goals scored from an overload situation (attacking team clearly has more players in the final third) count double. Coach uses one freeze to highlight an overload situation and ask the team: 'Where is the free player?'

   • ›Use the +1 overload to create pressure on one side, then switch to the unguarded side
   • ›Wide overloads create crossing opportunities; central overloads create through-ball or cutback options
   • ›Defending team: compensate for the overload by holding a compact shape, not chasing the ball
   • ›Neutral player must be a team player – no showboating; find the free player quickly

5. 5. Scrimmage – Free Play

   15m

   Set up: Full pitch, 9v9, goalkeepers.

   How to run it: Free scrimmage. Coach observes whether players recognise overloads without being prompted and exploit them with speed.

   • ›Watch for players who are consistently finding the free player
   • ›Note any instances where the overload was present but the team slowed down and lost it

6. 6. Cool-Down & Debrief

   5m

   Set up: Circle on the centre spot, static stretching.

   How to run it: Stretch while discussing: 'What are the three options when you have a 2v1?' (dribble at the defender, play through them, play behind them). Name one overload sequence that worked perfectly today.

   • ›Reinforce: overloads are won or lost in two seconds – decision speed is everything
   • ›Close positively and assign homework