Choose Save as PDF in your browser print dialog. A4 or Letter works; turn off browser headers for a clean pack.
Switch and Support
U11–U12 · Session Pitch · v2.0.0
A switch reaches the far side but the new carrier has no support. Move while the ball changes sides.
Your practice
Move to support immediately after changing the point of attack.
U11–U1245 min12 starting players28 × 34 mField practice
Bring 6 balls and 8 cones. Use ground play and line targets. Keep water available.
Look for progress
Move to support before the switched ball is settled.
Offer different angles around the new carrier.
Share balls within numbered stations. Rotate carrier, receiver and observer roles at each round.
45 minutes: retain a separate application task, with shorter exploration and game blocks.
Check the surface, boundaries and equipment before play. Pause or simplify whenever needed. Confirm local youth football rules. Numbered slots replace names.
Begin at walking pace in the numbered stations. Pass across the station, then walk diagonally toward a support position that remains outside the passing line. Share the ball when needed; an observer watches the same decision and takes a ball turn on the next assigned round. In a three-player station both partners receive; when a group has only two players, the empty corner remains an available movement target. In larger stations, extra players observe and rotate into the trio.
Switch, then help the next player. Support movement starts after release and finishes clear of the ball path.
Run the activity
Pass across the station, then walk diagonally toward a support position that remains outside the passing line.
Pause on a raised hand and point to the space you chose.
Swap the ball on the round signal and notice this feature: Support movement starts after release and finishes clear of the ball path.
Play
Pass across the station, then walk diagonally toward a support position that remains outside the passing line.
Ground play only. No heading, sliding, body contact or tackles at a player's feet. Intercept loose ground passes only. Offer water or a pause whenever needed.
Watch for
Support movement starts after release and finishes clear of the ball path.
If you see: The passer follows straight behind the ball.
Try: Mark the diagonal support destination verbally before restarting.
Organisation
4 separate stations. Roles: carrier and two receivers when the group has three players; extra players observe. Advance one slot each round. 3 turns cover every player. A first carrier turn can take up to 84s of activity. Waiting is active observation; add balls or reduce group size if it becomes too long.
Easier: Stop after the switch and walk to support before another pass.
Next step: Receiver carries one touch forward before returning.
Move on: Stop the balls and identify the start positions for switch chase.
28 × 34 m clear area with a 2 m perimeter buffer. 4 numbered stations, 12 numbered player slots, 4 balls and 8 cones. Each station shares one ball and rotates roles; dashed arrow shows an example travel or pass route. Focus: Move to support immediately after changing the point of attack. Diagram shows starting positions, not fixed player locations. Three steps show switch play using the first round's numbered players. Solid gold routes show the ball; dashed pale routes show player movement; dotted blue routes show a shadow or defender. Routes stay inside each numbered station. 1. Return through the middle: Use central support when the direct route is closed. 2. Move the ball across: The central player looks across and connects the far side. 3. Support the new side: Move to offer a supporting angle.
Partners start across the station with one ball and an agreed support side behind the receiver. In a three-player station both partners receive; when a group has only two players, the empty corner remains an available movement target. In larger stations, extra players observe and rotate into the trio.
Switch, then help the next player. Support movement starts after release and finishes clear of the ball path.
Run the activity
Send a ground pass across to the partner.
Walk diagonally outside the ball route into the support side.
Receiver controls and checks that a return angle is available.
Play
Send a ground pass across to the partner.
Ground play only. No heading, sliding, body contact or tackles at a player's feet. Intercept loose ground passes only. Offer water or a pause whenever needed.
Watch for
Support movement starts after release and finishes clear of the ball path.
If you see: The passer follows straight behind the ball.
Try: Mark the diagonal support destination verbally before restarting.
Organisation
4 separate stations. Roles: carrier and two receivers when the group has three players; extra players observe. Advance one slot each round. 3 turns cover every player. A first carrier turn can take up to 120s of activity. Waiting is active observation; add balls or reduce group size if it becomes too long.
Easier: Stop after the switch and walk to support before another pass.
Next step: Receiver carries one touch forward before returning.
Move on: Stop in place, recall support movement starts after release and finishes clear of the ball path. and walk to water with the balls still.
28 × 34 m clear area with a 2 m perimeter buffer. 4 numbered stations, 12 numbered player slots, 4 balls and 8 cones. Each station shares one ball and rotates roles; dashed arrow shows an example travel or pass route. Focus: Move to support immediately after changing the point of attack. Diagram shows starting positions, not fixed player locations. Three steps show switch play using the first round's numbered players. Solid gold routes show the ball; dashed pale routes show player movement; dotted blue routes show a shadow or defender. Routes stay inside each numbered station. 1. Return through the middle: Use central support when the direct route is closed. 2. Move the ball across: The central player looks across and connects the far side. 3. Support the new side: Move to offer a supporting angle.
Offer water and rest. Leave balls still outside the walking route. Before restarting, show the next decision: Supporters arrive on different lines.
Switch, then help the next player. Every player has a rest opportunity and understands the next start position.
Run the activity
Stop every ball and offer water or seated rest.
Check the surface, clear the next station and keep boundary buffers empty.
Name what to look for next: Supporters arrive on different lines.
Play
Stop every ball and offer water or seated rest.
Ground play only. No heading, sliding, body contact or tackles at a player's feet. Intercept loose ground passes only. Offer water or a pause whenever needed.
Watch for
Every player has a rest opportunity and understands the next start position.
If you see: Players begin moving balls while others cross the area.
Try: Keep every ball still until the area is clear and all players have heard the start signal.
Easier: Demonstrate only the first action, then begin slowly.
Next step: Invite a player to point out the next receiving or observation position.
Move on: Show the first decision in far-side triangle before the restart signal.
28 × 34 m clear area with a 2 m perimeter buffer. 1 numbered stations, 12 numbered player slots, 0 balls and 4 cones. Players gather for rest or reflection; no ball is used. Focus: Move to support immediately after changing the point of attack. Diagram shows starting positions, not fixed player locations.
Three players form a triangle. One cross-station pass changes which side holds the ball. In a three-player station both partners receive; when a group has only two players, the empty corner remains an available movement target. In larger stations, extra players observe and rotate into the trio.
Switch, then help the next player. Supporters arrive on different lines.
Run the activity
Switch to the far-side receiver.
Both other players walk into separate nearby supporting angles.
New carrier chooses the clearer option before the next switch.
Play
Switch to the far-side receiver.
Ground play only. No heading, sliding, body contact or tackles at a player's feet. Intercept loose ground passes only. Offer water or a pause whenever needed.
Watch for
Supporters arrive on different lines.
If you see: Both supporters move to the same side of the receiver.
Try: Freeze and name a near angle and a deeper angle.
Organisation
4 separate stations. Roles: carrier and two receivers when the group has three players; extra players observe. Advance one slot each round. 3 turns cover every player. A first carrier turn can take up to 128s of activity. Waiting is active observation; add balls or reduce group size if it becomes too long.
Easier: Place the support positions before making the first pass.
Next step: Coach closes one supporting line after the switch.
Move on: Stop the station balls, show the game target lines and explain this condition: After switching to a side exit, score at the opposite end line with a new support pass.
28 × 34 m clear area with a 2 m perimeter buffer. 4 numbered stations, 12 numbered player slots, 4 balls and 8 cones. Each station shares one ball and rotates roles; dashed arrow shows an example travel or pass route. Focus: Move to support immediately after changing the point of attack. Diagram shows starting positions, not fixed player locations. Three steps show triangle move using the first round's numbered players. Solid gold routes show the ball; dashed pale routes show player movement; dotted blue routes show a shadow or defender. Routes stay inside each numbered station. 1. Show passing angles: Use the available players to show angles. 2. Pass and relocate: Move after the pass to reopen the triangle. 3. Connect the next side: Use the next angle, then look up again.
After switching to a side exit, score at the opposite end line with a new support pass. Use the numbered teams and neutral roles for this pitch. Agree line targets inside the shown area. Restart with a gentle ground pass; opponents retreat at least two metres until the first touch.
Switch, then help the next player. Watch for a support pass soon after a switch that helps reach the opposite end line.
Run the activity
Before each round, explain the scoring condition: After switching to a side exit, score at the opposite end line with a new support pass.
Play within the marked pitch using the current numbered roles; restart from the nearest boundary after the ball leaves.
At the next pause, give one observed example: Watch for a support pass soon after a switch that helps reach the opposite end line.
Play
Before each round, explain the scoring condition: After switching to a side exit, score at the opposite end line with a new support pass.
Ground play only. No heading, sliding, body contact or tackles at a player's feet. Intercept loose ground passes only. Offer water or a pause whenever needed.
Watch for
Watch for a support pass soon after a switch that helps reach the opposite end line.
If you see: Both supporters move to the same side of the receiver.
Try: Freeze and name a near angle and a deeper angle.
Organisation
2 pitches. Teams use numbered A/B slots. Odd groups use a neutral who helps the team with the ball. Rotate slot assignments between rounds; everyone plays and each odd-pitch player takes a neutral turn.
Easier: Pause at each restart to show the available choice. Place the support positions before making the first pass.
Next step: Coach closes one supporting line after the switch.
Move on: Stop every ball, bring the numbered groups together and leave a clear space for walking or seated reflection.
28 × 34 m clear area with a 2 m perimeter buffer. 2 numbered pitches, 12 numbered player slots, 2 balls and 4 cones. A and B are teams; N is the supporting neutral. End lines are scoring targets. Focus: Move to support immediately after changing the point of attack. Diagram shows starting positions, not fixed player locations. Three steps show decision game using the first round's numbered players. Solid gold routes show the ball; dashed pale routes show player movement; dotted blue routes show a shadow or defender. Routes stay inside each numbered station. 1. See the options: Look for a carry, pass or safe return. 2. Choose a clear route: Choose the route that is clear now. 3. Keep the next option open: Move to help the next player with the ball.
Leave the balls still and walk comfortably within your own station. Recall one choice from the session, then ask: Where did you move after the switch?
Switch, then help the next player. Move to support before the switched ball is settled. Offer different angles around the new carrier.
Run the activity
Leave all balls still; choose comfortable walking or seated rest.
Point to the movement you remember without a ball, then reflect: Where did you move after the switch?
Share one observed example or say that you need another look; count the players and equipment before finishing.
Play
Leave all balls still; choose comfortable walking or seated rest.
Ground play only. No heading, sliding, body contact or tackles at a player's feet. Intercept loose ground passes only. Offer water or a pause whenever needed.
Watch for
Move to support before the switched ball is settled. Offer different angles around the new carrier.
If you see: The review names only the score and misses the choice that led to it.
Try: Ask for one specific example: Watch for a support pass soon after a switch that helps reach the opposite end line.
Easier: Allow a pointing gesture or one word instead of a spoken explanation.
Next step: Invite a player to explain what they would change if the same route closed next time.
Move on: Check every player and collect stationary equipment before leaving the area.
28 × 34 m clear area with a 2 m perimeter buffer. 1 numbered stations, 12 numbered player slots, 0 balls and 4 cones. Players gather for rest or reflection; no ball is used. Focus: Move to support immediately after changing the point of attack. Diagram shows starting positions, not fixed player locations.
