An introduction to angles and switches

The switch pass is notoriously difficult to coach. Try out this activity to let your players develop the right sort of skill.

There are lots of moving parts in a switch pass which mean, even at the top level, they can be difficult to execute. This activity gives the players more awareness of their running lines and potential passes.

1. Put up to eight players in the box with up to half the players carrying a ball.
2. Start by having the players walk around and when you shout “pass”, the ball carrier passes backwards from the direction they are moving.
3. They might have to wait for a player to become available.
4. As the players become better at this, increase the pace.

1. Develop by putting a ball carrier and another player each at the corner of the smaller box.
2. To start with the ball carrier runs across the box into the space between the middle and diagonally opposite corner, the non-ball carrier runs behind him to other space.
3. Swap roles and repeat several times.
4. Then ask the ball carrier to see if he can pass to the player running behind him.

1. Finally, if the players have made progress far enough, stand on the cone at the far end.
2. If you move to where the ball carrier is going, he passes. Otherwise he dummy passes.

TECHNIQUE

• Hold the ball in two hands at all times.
• Turn the shoulders to pass.
• Pass up as much as passing across.