Tactics / Chance creation

Switch the play

When the other team crowds one side, move the ball quickly to the other side, where there is space.

In possessionFrom 7v7Match moment: Go round themMatch moment: They switch it

CROWDEDSPACE31110968527GK
  • Us
  • Them
  • Pass
  • Run
  • Dribble

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.

Common mistakes

  • Taking too many touches, so the defence has time to slide across.
  • The far winger coming inside to look for the ball, so there is nobody to switch to.
  • Trying a long switch that is too hard, instead of two short passes through the middle.

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, showing the part where it happens. Orange attacks left to right and the other team is in blue; numbers are the usual shirt numbers for each position.

Put it into your own team's plan in the team builder, and see what it asks of each player.

Next: The third-man run

What it asks of each player

The same idea, from every line of the team. Set it up for your own team in the team builder.

  • GK
    Goalkeeper
    • Help switch from the back: you can see the far side.
    • If the switch is on from your hands, roll it to the far full-back.
    • Shout "switch" when you see the far side empty.

    Position guide: Goalkeeper

  • DEF
    Defenders
    • Receive and switch quickly; two touches at most.
    • Open your body before the ball arrives, so you can see the far side.
    • Use the keeper as a link if the direct pass is blocked.

    Position guide: Centre-back · Full-back

  • MID
    Midfielders
    • Open your body so you can play to either side.
    • Drop into the middle as the ball is on one side, so you are the link.
    • Two touches: one to set, one to switch.

    Position guide: Holding midfielder · Central midfielder · Attacking midfielder

  • ATT
    Forwards
    • Far winger: stay wide and ready, even when the ball is miles away.
    • Far winger: do not drift in towards the ball.
    • When the switch comes, take your first touch forward and attack the full-back.

    Position guide: Winger · Striker

Practices that train it

Start with the first, and build up to the game.