Pressure Rotating Diamond

Objective

• -Build clean passing angles in a rotating shape
• -Link the pass to the movement that follows it
• -Improve weight and accuracy of the ball

Setup

1. 1Four cones in a diamond with a player on each in a 18 x 18 yards area.
2. 2Position a recovering defender behind each working player, starting two yards back.
3. 3One ball to start, spares beside the coach.

How to play

1. 1Ball travels round the diamond with players following their pass.
2. 2Every fourth pass is played across the diamond to switch the pattern.
3. 3Change direction on the coach's call.
4. 4The defender is released the moment the ball leaves the server's foot.
5. 5The working player scores by completing the action before pressure arrives; the defender scores by blocking it.

Progressions

• +Defender starts level rather than behind
• +Raise the demand once the group is consistently successful

Regressions

• -Defender presses at jogging pace only
• -Simplify the area or the service until success returns

Variations

• -Two defenders alternate so pressure is constant
• -Run the practice on the opposite side of the pitch

Common mistakes

• -Standing still after passing
• -Passing into the wrong foot
• -Facing your own goal and getting trapped by the press