Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Defending With A Diamond Midfield

Warm Up - Positional Rondo (30 mins)

Session Organisation - positional rondos for the warm up. A second grid set up with right sided players playing in appropriate positions. The blues can operate in any of the 3 boxes.

How to Play - the 2 defenders are locked into their half of the pitch. The other players try to keep possession of the ball and try to link the ball from the keeper to the forward with everyone getting a touch. When the forward receives the ball he sets a MF player who returns it to the forward to clip into the GK to start again.

Progressions -

1. Defenders can work in the same section of the pitch.

2. CM can rotate out with the wide MF players.

Tech/Tact Focus - passing & receiving. Support play.

Physical Focus - control the tempo initially as this is just the warm up. Position specific movements in a limited area.

Social Focus - team & unit work. Set the tone for the session.

Psychological Focus - mental preparation. Attitude.

Diamond midfield (40 mins)

Session Organisation - pitch as shown. Reds have a GK, back 4 and a midfield diamond. Blues have 2 defenders, a flat midfield 4 and 2 forwards.

How to Play - The red team can score by hitting the back of the empty net on the full or running the ball through the pole gates. Blues are trying to score past the keeper. In this example the midfield diamond pivots so that it retains its shape behind the ball. 7 would spin out to double up on the wide player with the full back. 4 would come across to screen the pass in to the forward. 10 would drop in behind the level of the ball to encourage the ball to be played backwards rather than square. 11 would tuck in as his direct opponent is the least threatening player on the pitch. (Note the new positions marked by the semi-transparent players keep the diamond shape)

Progressions - work the ball into different areas of the pitch and, if necessary, walk the players into the positions you would expect them to take up.

Tech/Tact Focus - try to make play predictable, you are surrendering some width so if the ball gets played out there, defenders must react quickly. Get behind the ball.

Physical Focus - match specific movements. Attack at pace. Counter attack from the defensive team.

Social Focus - team and unit development.

Psychological Focus - communication, leadership, willingness to defend.