Football/Soccer Session (Beginner): Pressing - Diamond Duel

Press 1v1 (10 mins)

Organisation

Using four cones, set up a 10x10 yard diamond-shape.
 
Players split into pairs and line up at opposite points of the diamond, next to a cone. One pair is the attacking team. The other is the defending team.

The pairs line up at opposite points of the diamond, next to a cone.

How to play

The aim of this game is for the attacking team to win points by reaching the cones before the defenders.

Warmup

1v1 without footballs 

The game starts with an attacker moving off their cone.

One of the defenders then enters the diamond. They aim to tag the attacker and prevent them from getting to the cones.

If the attacker gets to one of the side cones, it is worth one point. If they get to the back cone, it’s worth three points.

To stop the game, the defender needs to tag the attacker or force them to run outside the diamond.  

The attacker ends the game by getting to one of the cones.

The players then join the queue at opposing ends of the diamond. The next pair take their turn.

Play for five minutes, or ten rounds, then count each player's score.

1v1 with footballs 

• Once the players have mastered the game, introduce footballs 

• Start with the defender playing the ball into the attacker’s feet (for younger players, try rolling it in) 

• The attacker now needs to dribble to the cones to score points 

• The defender aims to win the ball off the attacker – if they do, they can counter and score points by dribbling to the cones 

• The game stops once the ball goes out of the diamond or the attacker dribbles to one ofthe cones

 • The players then join the queue at the opposite end of the diamond, and the next pair take their turn2v2 with footballs 

Progression

• Get all four players involved in a 2v2 – the rules are the same as ‘1v1 with footballs

Coaching Points

3 D's 

Dictate using bodyshape, Skateboard position 

Delay, slow down closer to player with ball.

Deny - steal the ball, dont kick it out.