SWITCHING PLAY IN CENTRE FIELD
This is similar to the previous practice, except midfield and forward players are brought into the exercise.
Now, as opposed to just switching play, the players involved are developing a technique to manoeuvre routes through opposition midfielders and so setting up threats at goal.
Diagram (1)
In practice 1, goalkeeper (G) starts by throwing the ball out to (7) who, if possible, lays it back first time to (4) (pass A)
(4) takes control, and switches play into the opponents half with a cross-field pass to (11) (pass B)
If two strikers are used i.e. (8) + (9), then (11) has two options. He can lay it off to the deeper lying (9) (pass C1) or find (8) who is moving to a new position as in diagram (1) (pass C2)
Whichever receives the, then plays it back to (10) who has moved forward, ( passes D1 and D2) he controls then switches the play back to the right flank where (7) has advanced to a more attacking position (pass F)
THIS PASS AND MOVE PRACTICE IS ONLY ONE EXERCISE. COACHES CAN DEVISE OTHERS TO SUIT EACH TEAMS NEEDS. BUT BASICALLY, THEY MUST BE REALISTIC, WITH NO DEFENDERS YET INVOLVED.
Diagram (2)
In practice (2), (10) receives from the goalkeeper (G)
(11) moves back quickly to receive the ball from (10) (pass A), and, when possible, transfers it first time to (8) (pass B). Accuracy essential here
On receiving the ball (8) sees two options ahead, as both (7) and (9) are on the move
(7) leaves the flank to move into centre field, (8) would find him with pass (C1)
(9) sprints from the central area out to the flank, (a cross over run with (7), and (8) looks to play the ball ahead of him (pass C2).
