Diamond Midfield Session
Part 2: 4v3 Overload
By Justin Faust
I usually do this drill in a grid size of 20x20 as shown in Figure 1. The white team has the diamond formed and works the ball back and forth to the endline players on white. If the yellow team wins possession they try and score on the two small side goals. They may use the yellow players on the outside as neutrals. I like to make all outside players use 1 touch for drill because it will create more transition moments.
Figure 1
The white team working in the diamond can effectively work the ball around the 3 defenders by using superiority in the middle of the field. While the yellows will have a 7v4 when they get possession. I encourage the yellows to initially go to goal upon winning possession, but use the outsides if it is not there. When out of possession the white team need to immediately out pressure on the ball to prevent scoring, but also to prevent being without the ball for long stretches. Figure 2 shows how this coaching point will play out.
Figure 2
To add a progression to this, I like to allow one yellow on the outside to enter the field of play if they receive a pass from their team on the inside. They will be able to dribble it in, and also go right to goal if they are unmarked. If not, it becomes a 4v4 game. This forces the white team, who are playing in a diamond, to quickly communicate and pressure the ball immediately in that transitional moment. Figure 3 shows the loss of the ball by white, leading to yellow hopping on to creatine a 4v4 game.
Figure 3
