Long-Short Switch Pattern

Develop a range of passing: combine short to feet, then strike an accurate driven switch to change the point of attack.

Stations on both sides of a wide area with a central link player; ball starts on one side.

1. Play short into the central link and get a set back.
2. Strike a driven switch across to the far station.
3. The far side repeats the pattern back the other way.
4. Both feet and both sides over the course of the drill.

• Short pass crisp and to the correct foot.
• Open up before the switch — plant and drive through the ball.
• Keep the switch low and accurate, into the receiver's stride.
• Receiver opens out to take it across the body and attack.

• The long pass is floated and easy to read — drive the switch flat and fast.
• Receivers control the switch square-on and kill the attack — open up and take it on the back foot.
• Short passes before the switch are casual — the short-short sells the long; tempo matters.

• First-time switch after the set.
• Add a target zone the switch must land in.
• Add a defender on the link.

• Lofted switch allowed.
• Shorten the distance.
• Static receivers.

• The switch must be a driven (not lofted) ball once warmed up.