switching play in the back 4

Consider: in possession
Formation: 1-4-2-1
Primary player/unit: 3,6,5,2
Secondary unit; team: 1,4,8
Specific area of pitch: defensive half

LEARNING OUTCOMES
What do I want my players to achieve?

• Understanding strong side/weak side
• Recognising when under pressure in the defensive half from the opposition when and how to exploit the weak side by switching play (short pass, short pass, long pass)
• Understanding the tempo of play to assist them in exploiting the weak side of the opposition
• Keeping defensive balance even when switching play and forward moving up the pitch
• The role of the number 4 (defensive playmaker/quarterback) in combining with the back four to play forward and switch play
• Introduction to the five line/channel theory and understanding of how these channels are marked out on the pitch

​Does it relate to match day?
- Yes most teams we play against usually press high and try to win the ball in the attacking or midfield third.

Principle of play - attacking: penetration, create space, movement, support
Technical component - passing, receiving

KEY PICTURES
What are the game related pictures I want to recreate?
​
Picture 1
Opposition are compact centrally when the ball is at our goalkeeper or centre backs, when the ball is passed to our full back positions (2 or 3), the opposition winger presses the ball and their midfield locks on to ours.
Full back drops all back to centre back who switches play to opposite full back passing the ball into space in front of them to run onto exploiting the weak side

Picture 2
Defensive playmaker number 4 creates space to receive a pass from full-back however cannot play forward and therefore drops ball back to centre back on strong side to switch play in one or two touches to opposite fullback.

COACHING DETAIL
What detail will help the player improve their understanding and performance?

• Angles and distance of the supporting position for centre backs 5&6
• Timing, weight and accuracy of the back passes by fullbacks 2&3
• Ensure that 2&3 get wide and high up the field as possible to receive the ball
• Encourage the ball to be switched quickly (exploiting opposition around the side)
• Recognise when to play one touch or two touch (pressure?)
• When to play 2 feet? when to play to space in front of the player? (Receive under pressure to hide/protect possession or play into space to reveal the ball and attack opposition)
• Keeping the integrity, balance and shape of the back four (in case of turnover and possible counter attacking opportunities for opposition)
• No.4 body position to receive the ball from full back (or centre back support)

PRACTICE DESIGN
Area layout and size:

• Half of pitch
• Introduce channels 1&5 
• Central goal and small samba goals

Other considerations: set up as 1-4-2-1 vs 5-1 (majority defensive unit versus attacking units)

Scoring system:

• If ball is switched from channels 1-5 and goal scored centrally counts as 3
• If ball is switched from channels 1-5 and goal is scored in small goals counts as 1
• Scoring zone centre circle for central goal and 15 yard score zone for small goals

Opposition Management

• Compact play realistic to match day
• High pressing and tight "locked on" marking in central midfield.
• If possession is won in attacking third and goal scored counts as 5
• If possession won in central midfield third and goal scored counts as 1

Players per team: 8v6 overload
Tempo and timings: 3x15 minute game blocks to swap out midfielders and attacker with opposition.