Soccer: Diamond formation practice

Red team vs Blue team.

Set up a diamond midfield formation

2 strikers, 4 midfield, 4 defenders.

Set up cones as shown on the diagram

(3 sets of cones. 2 pairs before the top of the diamond numbered "1", one pair of cones lower down in the middle of the diamond numbered "2")

Works on the Defence channelling the ball into certain areas.

The 2 red team strikers try to stop the blue team from playing the ball through either of the "1" cones, so that play is encouraged into a central area (top of the diamond).

Once the blue player with the ball has reached the top of the diamond, players will looks to direct him outside of the "2" cones and into wide areas (occupied by the 2 red wide midfielders).

Red fullbacks need to recognise where the ball is going and move into an advanced wide position to put pressure on opposition's wide players.

By doing this the red team are attempting to dictate how the ball moves.

Play for half an hour.

Play 2 v 2 in the area furthest from goal and 2 v 3 in the defensive area around the goal. Make 2 small goals on the end line for the defense to play out through.

The attacking team (gold) in the area furthest from the goal, combine to play the ball into the two attackers in the opposite area. The two defenders in the area furthest from the goal attempt to intercept passes as they are played through. The three defenders in the defensive area mu st pressure the ball, marking tightly when close to the ball or goal. Defenders from the area furthest from the goal may enter into the defensive area to support the three defenders and to serve as midfield players for clearances from the back. If defenders intercept the ball, they should attempt to play the ball through either of the small goals at the bottom of the diagram.

This drill encourages players to work together in a Defensive unit and is especially relevant for midfield players.

Set up 3 areas in a line: 5 x 5 yards, 20 x 5 yards and another 5 x 5 yards

Opposite this, within shooting distance (about 15 yards), set up 4 goal areas in a line, marked by cones. The 2 inside goals will be used for the first game and then just the 2 outside goals will be used for the second game.

Have 1 player restricted to each of the 5 x 5 areas, and 2 players in the 20 x 5 area. The goal of these players is to pass amongst themselves to score (firstly in the goals marked "1" and then in the goals marked "2").

Against them will be 4 defenders who will need to work together to shut down these shooting opportunities, starting midway between the boxes and the goals.

The coach plays the ball to the Attackers, and at this time the Defenders will approach the Attackers. They cannot travel into the boxes but will use angles to try to stop a quick pass and shoot option.

Red defends blue. The blue player must try and beat the red defenders and reach one of the blue cones, with the ball still under control.

Red player 2 role is to cover the other defender. Whenever either red player gets in possession, the other red must find space so as to create a passing option.