Tactics / In possession
Switch the play
When the other team crowds one side, move the ball quickly to the other side, where there is space.
Why it works
A team defending well slides across towards the ball. That leaves the far side light. A quick switch catches them before they can slide back.
What players do
- Before you receive, look at the far side.
- Switch quickly: one long pass, or two short ones through the middle.
- The far winger stays wide and ready, even when the ball is a long way away.
With young players
Try the four-goal game: a team attacking two goals soon learns to switch when one is crowded.
Drawn on a 105 × 68 m pitch. Orange attacks left to right; numbers are the usual shirt numbers for each position.