Switching Play

Switching Play

There are questions to be asked when moving the ball from one side of the pitch to the other:

How do we switch the play? 

When to / do we switch play?

Why ? 

How do we Switch the play? 

A method in todays game of switching the play is moving the ball through unit. For example through the defensive back four and passing combinations within the central midfielders, to switch the ball from one side to another. Keeping possession of the ball and transferring the play will work the opposition, effecting their formation and constantly effecting the transition of their team. This then moves onto creating space to move the ball forward and score centrally. 

The long ball is the simple and very effective way of switching the play but this doesn't work the opposition as much. Also with the long ball you have to be certain the ball is going to arrive almost perfectly with your team mate. Any poor pass can result in the opposition counter attacking. The long ball is a masterclass developed over time. 

Players such as Tom Huddlestone and Xabi Alonso are great examples of this. 

Xabi Alonso Long ball  https://youtu.be/pzJDiKWUvsU

When to / do we switch play?

There is never really a certain time within the game that you must switch the play. It all depends on whether you have possession of the ball, where do you have possession of the ball and also is the opposition closing you down. Therefore can we keep possession and switch the play to attempt another attack. 

All in all it depends on the situation you and the ball are in. The intelligent players will know when to switch the play and how in the situation. For example; you are going to use more of a long ball approach, if you're a goal down in the 89th minute, compared to when you are in the first half of the game. Again it is based on the situation. 

Why switch the play?

Switching play opens up the field and the opposition, creating space to make forward runs and attacking opportunities. A fast an effective switch of play will put the opposition defenders under pressure forcing them to make mistakes. 

Switching play using the long pass will put the opposition defenders out of position therefore opening up gaps within their defence and the clever attacking players will see and exploit this. 

Overall switching play is constantly used within the game and I believe it is a vital area within the game that has to be used to create goal scoring opportunities.