Match moments / They have the ball
They switch it
We have crowded the ball on one side, and they switch it to their free winger on the other. The full-back's run out, the cover behind and the winger's sprint back decide whether the switch hurts us.
In the match
- Decision 1Full-back
- Decision 2Centre-back
- Decision 3Winger
You are 3, our left full-back.
The ball is in the air to their winger. What do you do?
Play the build-up, then choose.
Best choice
The flight of the ball is your time. Closing the gap while it travels means you are close when they take their first touch, side-on so you can show them down the line.
It can work
By the time you arrive, the winger has the ball under control and is running at you.
Costly
Arriving at full speed, the winger only has to touch it past you.
In the match, play carries on from the best choice.
You are 4, our left centre-back.
3 has gone out to the winger. Where do you go?
Play what happened next, then choose.
Best choice
The whole back line moves together towards the ball. You cover 3 and keep their striker in front of you.
It can work
The middle is protected, but there is a big gap between you and 3.
Costly
Two on the winger leaves their striker free in the middle.
In the match, play carries on from the best choice.
You are 11, our left winger.
Their winger is facing 3. What do you do?
Play what happened next, then choose.
Best choice
3 is in front of them and you arrive from behind. Their winger is trapped against the touchline with nowhere to go.
It can work
Useful for the counter, but 3 is left on their own against a winger with space.
Costly
The ball has gone. Pressing the player who passed it does nothing.
How you know it is happening
- We have crowded the ball on one side.
- Their far winger is free and wide.
- Their midfielder lifts their head and opens their body.
Why it works
Crowding the ball is good defending, but it leaves the far side open. A switch takes time to travel, and that time is what the far full-back and the whole back line use to slide across. Arrive as the ball does, not after.
The tactics behind it
Your job, by position
- FBFull-back and wing-back
- When the switch is in the air, go.
- Slow down as you arrive and get side-on.
- CBCentre-back
- Slide across together, behind the player who goes out.
- WWinger and wide midfielder
- Sprint back and make it two against one.
How to explain it
- Use a rope or a line of cones to show the back line sliding together.
- Say: the ball in the air is our time.
On the training pitch
- On your ownClose down and jockeyThe technique underneath it, with a ball and some space.
- The practiceSwitch itThe same decision, over and over, with a little pressure.
- The gameFour-goal gameA small-sided game set up so the moment keeps happening.
Set the game up so it keeps happening
- Attackers score double after a switch.
- Defenders win a point when the far full-back arrives before the first touch.
Three things to say
- Go while it flies.
- Arrive side-on.
- Slide together.
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
- Were you close when their winger took their first touch?
What to look back on
- Did the back line slide as one?