Tag and Switch | Soccer Coaching Drill

Activity Flow:
1. All the players are moving on the playing field, no one is standing (you can also give them a special task like a warm-up exercise)
2. The coach calls out a colour and then the catching team tries to tag as many players as possible from the opposite teams
3. The players needs to stay in bounds and try to escape the catching team
4. The players that get tagged leave the square and need to do a somersault (or push up / jumping jack)
5. After certain amount of time (for example: 30s) the action is over, whoever is still in the playing field (not tagged) collects a point for his team
6. New action - coach calls out a new colour

Organisation:
1. What do you need to set up?
4 cones
Bibs in three different colours (number depending on number of players)
2. Mark an approx. 25x25m large field with cones
3. Distribute players into 3 teams

Coaching Points:
1. There is no ball in this exercise, however it is important to be aware of these Coaching Points for Movement- Movement to create space to receive the ball for yourself or a team mate
Awareness / Orientation - Before moving to support the player on the ball check over your shoulder to see where the space, opponents and your teammates are on the field
Type of Movement -Move in front of an opponent, in to out, out to in, in between or in behind the opponent
Deception - Making more movements to move the defender to leave space to receive the ball in

Variations:
1. Easier or Harder - Depending on your focus - When you increase the size of the playing field, it's getting harder for the catching team and easier for the other teams, find a good balance
2. Rule - Different tasks when tagged (push up, jumping jack, sit up,..)
3. Competition - Teams are playing against each other, play several actions in 10 minutes and then count the score
4. Harder - Do the same exercise with a ball on the foot