Functional Football Drill – Switch of play

Description

This is a football drill to train the switch of play. Two teams play a possession game (important for players to play in their positions) in a box located in one of the two wide lanes. The drill starts with the red team in possession. The players must complete minimum 4 passes in order to progress to score a goal. After the 4 passes the team can:

  • Play a vertical pass or dribble outside the box to go for a cross or a shot
  • Switch play outside the box with the inverted winger or attacking midfielder
  • Switch play to the wide open player on the far side (full back or winger)

*Which players will be in each position is related to the formation the team is playing under their Game Model.

Objectives

  • Midfielder’s and inverted winger’s position to create space
  • Quality in passing and receiving / Body orientation
  • Fast speed switch of play or vertical passing
  • Finishing

General notes

  • Simple Functional drill with restrictions that allows the training of switch of play and the movements of each player
  • The player’s movements are based on the opposition’s reactions
  • The idea is to identify the free space and the free player (vertical passing on the ball side or switch play to the weak side?)
  • Play quickly and whenever possible vertical

Jurgen Klopp is a coach who loves the switch of play. Even from full back to the other side full back. Alexander-Arnold has a percept long pass and he is able to switch the play towards Robertson. Similar drills and material for football coaches regarding Liverpool’s and Klopp’s way of play you can find in the book JÜRGEN KLOPP LIVERPOOL ATTACKING TACTICS – TACTICAL ANALYSIS AND SESSIONS TO PRACTICE KLOPP’S 4-3-3.