FREE Session Plan: Changing The Point Of Attack

In a game that evolves every single year — new systems, new rotations, new pressing schemes — one attacking principle has remained consistently effective across all levels of football. This week’s Modern Soccer Coach Breakdown dives into a free, full training session built around this timeless concept. Whether you’re coaching 7v7, 9v9, or 11v11, the ability to move opponents, open central spaces, and break pressure through intelligent circulation remains essential. And in the modern game, switching the point of attack is no longer about simply hitting a long diagonal. It’s about creating the conditions for the switch:pulling defenders apart, manipulating shape, and accessing central routes at the right moment.

If you enjoy these Breakdown sessions and want even more practical, ready-to-use material, Modern Soccer Coach Insider is the next step. Insider members receive a brand-new training session every week, full access to our entire webinar library, exclusive bonus content, and entry into the private coaches WhatsApp group where we share ideas, discuss session design, and take topic requests directly from coaches. It’s built to give you consistent, high-quality support throughout your season — all for only $10 a month.

You can watch the full breakdown below. Please 'like' and subscribe if you enjoy it.

You can also find session organization and details below:

Part One: 3v3+1

• Teams play a 3v3 game inside a 22x18 yard grid with four scoring gates positioned on the outside.

• Two players are placed on opposite sidelines and can move up and down their line to support their team in possession.

• Teams score by dribbling the ball cleanly through any of the four gates, encouraging constant awareness of space and opportunities to change the point of attack.

• The players in the end zones act as connection players to help circulate the ball, release pressure, and move the opposition before attacking a new gate.

• All transitions are live, the team that regains the ball immediately plays with their neutrals, and restarts come from the coach or the last team in possession.

Part Two: 4v4+3

• Eleven players are organized into two teams of four and three neutrals

• Teams play a 4v4 game inside a central area that measures approximately 30x24 yards, with two wide channels of about 3 yards each marked on either side.

• One neutral player is positioned in each wide channel and must stay locked in that space, while a third neutral plays freely inside the main zone.

• All three neutrals work with the team in possession. The aim is for teams to keep the ball, use the central neutral to connect through pressure, and recognise opportunities to switch the point of attack by playing through a wide neutral and out the opposite side.

• When a switch is completed, the attacking team looks to attack quickly and finish in the opposing mini-goal.Normal rules apply, ball restarts with the coach or nearest neutral, and transitions are live on possession changes.

Part Three: 8v8+2

• Teams play an 8v8 game inside a 60x44 yard pitch divided into five horizontal channels.

• There are no restrictions of player movement.Two neutral players can move freely inside those zones to support the team in possession.

• Normal rules apply with one exception:

• Players cannot pass inside the same channel and a free-kick is

awarded if they do

• This aims to encourage diagonal movement and passing, opening up wide spaces and inside channels