SWITCHING PLAY IN THE ATTACKING THIRD
OF
THE FIELD  Preparing
players to play the ball and then move OR simply make space for themselves by
making runs off the ball when their team is in possession is important as it makes
it more difficult for opponents to mark them.
This applies particularly when the team is attacking and is nearing the opponents
goal.
Sharpness
of movement, (whether they get the ball or not) is a key item in attack, as it
makes space either for the player making the run OR a colleague.
Practice
(1) is a simple practice for strikers in the opposing penalty area (see diagram
1)
Diagram (1)
(4) starts in possession, he feeds (8) who comes back simply to position (8z)
as if to shake off a marker, and he lays it off (first time) to (7) who is advancing
down the right flank.
(7) moves quickly forward, preparing to cross the ball into the penalty area,
and as he does this, (8) turns round quickly, to take up an attacking position
for any near post attempt at goal.
Meanwhile (9) and (10) cross over (again as if to shake off a marker) and they
will cover any cross that is in the centre of the six yard box, or the far post. Practice
(2)
Diagram (2) 
(11) starts in possession feeding the ball back to (6), who has various options,
but in diagram (2) he passes to (9) (pass (a))
(9) first time if possible, passes to (10) (pass (b)), who plays it on to (8)
who has made a run from a deeper position (pass c)
(10) turns and makes for the penalty area, where (9) is already positioned with
(11) coming in behind the back post they move quickly should (8) decide to shoot
for goal and move in, or if his goal attempt is only parried away by the goalkeeper. The
practice is to try and get 3 or 4 attackers in the box, and they should finish
with a shot at goal whenever possible.
(7) is also in the practice (as in practice 1) and (10) may decide to again feed
him the ball in the run (pass (c)) and (7) can then cross from the flank with
(10), (8), (9) and (11) all racing into score. | 
