Patterns of play ยท U13 to adult

3-5-2 wing-back switch of play

Draw the opposition to one side, then switch to the far wing-back arriving unmarked. The signature attack of a 3-5-2, practised as a pattern then as a 7v5 game.

U13 to adultAges
10 to 14 plus a keeperPlayers
Three-quarters pitchArea
20 minsTime

Your assistant coach: turn this drill into a full session, plan the weeks around it and tell me how it went.

Set-up

  • Back three, two central midfielders, both wing-backs and two strikers.
  • Start unopposed; add five defenders as a back four and a midfielder.

Equipment: Cones, balls, goal, bibs

How it works

  1. Build on the left through the left centre-back, left wing-back and a midfielder.
  2. When defenders shift across, switch to the right wing-back (one pass or two).
  3. Right wing-back crosses first time or attacks the full-back; strikers attack near and far post.

Coaching points

  • Far wing-back: stay wide and high, don't drift towards the ball.
  • Switch quickly: two quick passes beat one slow long one.
  • Strikers: cross over in the box, one near, one far.

Formations this drill suits

Add this drill to a session plan โ†’

Make it easier

  • No defenders
  • Allow three touches to switch

Make it harder

  • Switch must happen within six passes
  • Defenders score on a counter goal if they win it

AttackersDefendersKeeper / neutral- - โ†’ Passโ†’ Runใ€ฐโ†’ Dribble

Questions about this drill?

Free AI coaching help from Gafferbook. Ask anything about coaching your team.

More patterns of play drills