Match moments / We have the ball
Go round them
When they crowd the ball, the space is on the far side. The way there is quick: back inside, one touch across, and out to the free full-back.
In the match
- Decision 1Full-back
- Decision 2Midfielder
- Decision 3Holding mid
You are 2, our right-back.
You are trapped by the touchline. What do you do?
Play the build-up, then choose.
Best choice
The way out of a trap is the way you came in. 8 is facing the other side, where the space is.
It can work
It keeps the ball, but deeper into the trap, with 7's back to goal.
Costly
Three of them, one of you, next to the touchline. They win it high up the pitch.
In the match, play carries on from the best choice.
You are 8, our central midfielder.
Their midfielders are shifting across to you. Where does it go?
Play what happened next, then choose.
Best choice
One touch is faster than they can shift. 6 is facing the empty side.
It can work
It can work, but it is long and in the air, so their players have time to get across.
Costly
By the time you look up, their whole team has shifted and the switch is closed.
In the match, play carries on from the best choice.
You are 6, facing the empty side.
3 and 11 are free on the far side. What now?
Play what happened next, then choose.
Best choice
Quick and firm along the ground. 3 runs into space with 11 ahead: we have gone round them.
It can work
Safe, but slower. Every pass gives them time to shift back.
Costly
Straight back into the trap we just escaped.
How you know it is happening
- Their players are crowded on one side.
- A teammate on the far side is free and wide.
- You are trapped near the touchline.
Why it works
A team can only crowd one side by leaving the other. Switching play uses the space before they can shift across, and the quicker the ball moves, the less time they have.
Your job, by position
- FBFull-back and wing-back
- When trapped, play back inside.
- Far-side full-back: push up and stay wide.
- CMCentral midfielder
- Open your body to see both sides.
- One touch across.
- DMHolding midfielder
- Face the empty side before the ball arrives.
- Switch it firmly, along the ground.
- WWinger and wide midfielder
- Far winger: stay wide even when the ball is miles away.
- Attack your full-back as soon as the switch comes.
- CBCentre-back
- Be the safe pass if the switch is closed.
- Switch from the back if you can see it.
How to explain it
- Count touches: switches with two touches or fewer.
- Ask "where is the space?" every time the ball goes wide.
- Praise the far winger who stayed wide.
On the training pitch
- On your ownWall passes across the bodyThe technique underneath it, with a ball and some space.
- The practicePass and followThe same decision, over and over, with a little pressure.
- The gameSwitch itA small-sided game set up so the moment keeps happening.
Set the game up so it keeps happening
- A goal counts double if the ball went from one wide channel to the other in the move.
- Two-touch limit in the middle third.
Three things to say
- Back inside.
- One touch across.
- Firm and along the ground.
On Saturday
Tick them off on the day. Nothing is saved: print the page if you want to keep it.
After the whistle
Ask yourself
- How many times did you play out of a trap?
What to look back on
- When we switched, did we get forward?