Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): UEFA B - Attacking Play with a Midfield Diamond (Start Time: 2017-04-18 21:40:00)

Function (10 mins)

Key Factors

The aim of this function is to:-

- introduce the concept of the diamond midfield

- explain roles and responsibilities in the formation particularly in attack

Organisation

Coached team = RED - requires 8 Players set up 1server; 1 target; midfield diamond 4, plus 2 wing-backs

Managed team = BLUE - require 4 players - set up in a midfield diamond

Set-up is an area around the centre circle that is 30yds wide by 40 yds long.

At one end there is a channel less than the width of the centre circle (say 16yds) and 5yds deep - this is occupied by the target player.

Play starts with the server and the aim of the Red team is to advance and play a pass into the target.

NB Set up two or three piles of balls to encourage serves from different positions

If Blue win the ball, they have 4 passes to play ball back to server

Conditions

- Wing-backs only allowed 3 touches and cannot pass to target man from their defensive half i.e. they must be in the attacking half. (This makes the overload realistic and pulls defenders out of position.)

- Initially, Blues must all be in their defensive half until ball is played to DM. (This enables us to work on DM body shape and passing options.)

- After 5 mins - Bring FB's back to behind the serving line to serve; this provides variety of serving angle.

- After 7-8 mins Allow Blues to start wherever they like BUT server can now play to any RED

Coaching Points

- Explain shape and set up diamond - avoid straight lines North-South and East-West

=>WHY? Straight lines make it easy for defence to mark multiple players, cut off passing lines and make interceptions.

Remember: Angles = Options

- Ideally, CAM and Target should be diagonal to each other

- Similarly, LM & RM should work on a pivot (one slightly forward/one slightly back), tucked in but able to support wing-back

- DM stays back at base of diamond to provide defensive support (think Eric Dier & Michael Carrick)

- Wing-backs high & wide to provide key width

The Coaching Process

Key Points to Remember:

a) Decide what you want to coach

- have a plan of what you want to coach but remember to coach what you see (not what you want to see!)

- Use conditions on the opposition to ensure they help you highlight your points.

b) Coach what you see to ALL of the players

- On the ball

- Around the ball

- Away from the ball

Explain your point and show How, What, When, Where & Why

c) Demonstrate the FULL Coaching Process

1) OBSERVE the Practice

2) DIAGNOSE the problem

3) RECREATE the situation

4) Provide FEEDBACK

5) REHEARSE Performance

6) PLAY LIVE from the Situation

- Aim to do it at least ONCE in each part of the session.