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Football: diamond

DRILLS (8)SESSIONS (1) ANSWERS (5)

diamond DRILLS

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Ball Shield - whole body

Set up as shown with 2 players and 1 ball between the two. The area should be a 4x4 diamond, however the shape and size can be modified depending on the level of your players and the main aspect of ball shielding you want to achieve. Play begins with the external player making a firm pass into the middle player. The external player closes down his pass and aims to win the ball back. The player in the middle aims to keep the ball, shielding it away from the defender for 10 seconds and then acclerates out of the diamond.

1 v 1 skills

Diamond formation practice

Diamond formation midfield in an 11 a side game. Reds vs blue. Set up in the formation: 2 strikers, diamond midfield, 4 defenders and a GK. The midfield players are attempting to channel the attackers to one side of play, to keep pushing them out towards the side and limit their options. Encourage individuals to channel the ball and contain players in certain areas and to be aware of covering other Defenders.

Defending

Diamond Midfield Channelling

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.

Defending

Exterior Interior Quick Passing

Set up as shown with 2 players outside the small diamond area. 1 ball between the two. The area should be a 4x4 diamond, however the shape and size can be modified depending on the level of your players and the main aspect of controlling and passing that you want to achieve. Players pass to each other, taking 2 touches, the first with the exterior to control and the second with the interior to pass. At any moment one of them can take the first touch with the exterior to another side, this is a trigger for the other player to quickly take up a new position oppposite and they keep working again from this new position.

Passing and Receiving

Fish Tank

Set up a 10 x 10 area fish tank (any shape you see fit - diamond, square, circle, etc) and set up small goals on the outside. Have 4 players on the outside of the fish tank with a ball each. 1 player in the middle without a ball. The players (fishes) on the outside try to go across the tank without the player in the middle (shark) taking their ball. If the player in the middle takes the ball he/she tries to play it outside the area into one of the goals.

Conditioned games

Interior Exterior Quick Passing

Set up as shown with 2 players outside the small diamond area. 1 ball between the two. The area should be a 4x4 diamond, however the shape and size can be modified depending on the level of your players and the main aspect of controlling and passing that you want to achieve. Players pass to each other, taking 2 touches, the first with the interior to control and the second with the exterior to pass. At any moment one of them can take the first touch with the interior to another side, this is a trigger for the other player to quickly take up a new position oppposite and they keep working again from this new position.

Passing and Receiving

Movement to Receive 1

Set up as shown with 2 players and 1 ball between the two. The area should be a 4x4 diamond, however the shape and size can be modified depending on the level of your players and the main aspect movement to receive that you want to achieve. Play begins with the internal player making movement to receive the ball and then exiting the diamond. Once they exit the diamond the player on the far end makes a pass into the middle player who controls and passes back. The sequence is repeated with the middle player making a new movement to receive on a different side of the diamond.

Passing and Receiving

Roll Passes

Set up as shown with 2 players with 1 ball working around a small diamond. The two players pass to each other using the soles of their feet. One of them can roll the ball across to another side to instigate a movement to change positions.

Passing and Receiving

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diamond SESSIONS

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Working as a Defensive Unit

Drum in the defensive roles and responsibilities of your players and make sure they understand what you want from them in order to win the ball back and turn defence into attack.

diamond ANSWERS

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I need some advice and drills to help wiht the movement?

I need some advice and drills to help with the movement of my forwards and center mids in a 3-5-2 formation. I am having difficulty teaching them how they should move once we have possession of the ball.

Archived User Coach

I am still looking for an answer to my question regarding movement of forwards and center midfielders. I know that there is someone smart about soccer that can help me with this. Thanks

Ask a question and have it answered by Coaches from around the world and Sportplan's team of Experts.

Archived User Coach

How to teach players the correct positioning in 7 a side?

How do I teach players about positioning in a 7 a side game

Scott Coach, England

what the best formation for 7 aside?

what the best formation for 7 aside?

ayman Coach, United Arab Emirates

No subs-Under 10's 9 a-side

Hi all, due to lack of recruits I only have 9 players this season for my 9 a-side U10 boys team. I have tried very hard looking for recruits but no luck....so far. My season is starting and I have to work with what I have. I just want to see what tips do you have for me? What can I focus on to ensure this is not too much of an disadvantage!

Craig Killian Coach, Australia

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