Diamond Midfield Session
Part 3: Diamond Functionality in a 9v9 Format.
By Justin Faust
This exercise features the players right down the middle of the field. In Figure 1, the yellow team simulates the 4-4-2 Diamond in midfield plus the center backs and two forwards. I have them compete against the white team who will play in a 3-2-3 Formation. This is to force the yellow team to have to focus on their rotations in and out of possession. The grid can be 60 yards long and 45 yards wide.
Figure 1.
Figure 2 will show a variation that I add to incorporate wing backs into the SSG. On the outside of the grid each team will have two neutrals they may play when they are in possession. Once receiving the ball this neutral can enter the field of play.
Figure 2.
What I tend to do in Figure 3 is remove cones to make it a much smaller 11v11 game. This will create more touches on the ball, but also plenty of transitions that will require the diamond to adjust accordingly. The White team will play in a 3-5-2 against the Yellow team, which will be set up in a 4-4-2 Diamond.
Figure 3
