Building Up and Switching Play Across the Full Width | Full-Width System

Overview

• 9 players
• Played in a third of the field
• 3 attackers, 3 defenders, 1 keeper, plus a support player
• Keep it flowing—rotate attack and defense so you make the most of your session time

Objectives

• Sharpen your players’ ability to build up across the full width of the field
• Develop the read for when to switch play and pull a packed defense apart
• Get them moving the ball quickly off their teammates’ runs
• Finish the whole sequence—from the cross to the shot—as one complete attack

Setup

In this drill your players string together several passes in a tight area, break the defense down, draw the play out wide, and finish by creating a real chance in front of goal.

1) The ball starts with the center back

2) Three players link up with pass and move to open up space away from the defenders

3) As the ball shifts, the center back or a wide player carries it out to the flank

4) Before the wide player crosses, the three central players time their runs and get into position

5) The player on the end of the cross either shoots or plays the next ball, and the rep is done

6) Switch attack and defense, and go again