ADDING DEFENDERS: SWITCHING PLAY CONTINUED
The earlier practices are used initially to promote ideas to the players. Clearly they should experience a measure of success as with no obstacles to pass, they simply have to concentrate on the control of the ball, accurate passing and timed movement.
Once the players have progressed, coaches should introduce defenders to make the practices more realistic.
In diagram (1) a defender is placed around the edge of the box as the players try to prise a route through to goal.
Diagram (1)
So as (4) passes to (8), back to (9) who provides the through ball for (8) and (4) to run on to (as described in a previous practice) they now have to by pass defender (D) who positions himself where he could (a) cut out the through ball from (9), and (b) make it difficult for (8) or (4) should they get possession of the ball - as in diagram (1).
(D) must try and win the ball if he can.
In practice (2), another defender is added, as the 4 attackers try to perfect a move described earlier.
Diagram (2)
(11) in possession plays to (6), on to (9) who lays the ball back to (4)
(11) continues a run into the box, (9) and (10) turn and make for the penalty area, as (4) tries to switch play from the right across the area towards the 3 attackers moving in on goal
The 2 defenders (D1) and (D2) (initially marking (9) and (10) must weigh up the points of danger to their goal, concentrating on (a) cutting out (4's) cross field pass into the box and (b) marking the players moving into the area on to (4's) pass
The goalkeeper (G) must cut out the cross if he can, and the attackers must concentrate on not running offside - particularly if (D1) and (D2) hold their positions.
The introduction of the defenders makes the practices more realistic and if need be coaches can introduce other e.g. (D3) acting as a midfield/defender chasing around as (11), (6), (9) and (4) try to combine play.