Peter Schreiner Institute for Youth Soccer Germany

(ps@ifj96.de www.soccer-coaches.com )

One Touch Passing: Variations in diamond formation

Drill 1: Rebound pass in diamond formation (basic)
This is the basic exercise in the diamond formation. Passer and wall player continuously trade positions. The variations feature different running paths and passing lanes. Not only do players have to pass cleanly, they also have to stay focused and communicate with each other. And once again: The passer should pass to the wall players right (outside) foot, to make it hard for opponents to win the ball.

Exercise sequence:
1a, 1b 2a, 2b 3a, 3b A1 passes to B and sprints into the middle. B passes into A1s path and runs to Cone A. A1 passes directly to C and takes Bs position.

Phase 2:

Exercise sequence:
4a, 4b 5a, 5b 6a, 6b C passes directly to D and sprints into the middle. D passes into Cs path and runs to Cone C. C passes directly to A2 and takes Ds position.

U19 Schalke 04 One Touch in a diamond.

Drill 2: Rebound pass in diamond formation (variation 1)

In this variation, instead of trading positions with the passer, the wall player sprints toward the next passer. A plays a through pass to C and moves to the open wall passer position. Wall passer B sprints across to Cs position.

Phase 1: Exercise sequence:

1a, 1b 2a, 2b 3a, 3b A1 passes to B and sprints into the middle. B passes into A1s path and runs to Cone C. A1 passes directly to C and takes Bs position.

Phase 2:

Exercise sequence:
4a, 4b 5a, 5b 6a, 6b C passes directly to D and sprints into the middle. D passes into Cs path and runs to Cone A. C passes directly to A2 and takes Ds position.

Drill 3: Rebound pass in diamond formation (variation 2)

In the second variation, A1 passes to the left, receives the rebound and plays a through pass. The wall passer runs in the direction of play (e.g. left), while A1 runs in the opposite direction (right).

Phase 1: Exercise sequence:

1a, 1b 2a, 2b 3a, 3b A1 passes to B1 and sprints into the middle. B1 passes into A1s path and runs to Cone C. A1 passes directly to C and runs to Cone D.

Coaching instructions:
Dont forget to do the countermove, the running fake. One, two, through and go to the right. The wall player drops the ball back and then runs to the left.

Phase 2:

Exercise sequence:
4a, 4b 5a, 5b 6a, 6b C passes directly to D and sprints into the middle. D passes into Cs path and runs to Cone A. C passes directly to A2 and runs to Cone B.

Drill 4: Wall pass in diamond formation

This is the final exercise in the diamond formation. After the first rebound and through pass, the first passer (here, A1) attacks the second passer (C). This is followed by match-character wall passes. The diagrams only show wall passes played on the left side. In this case, the wall player should pass with the inside of the right foot. B attacks, and A plays a wall pass with C. E runs to the left starting cone, and A attacks. D plays a wall pass with E, and C runs to the right starting cone. The passer should not pass directly unless the attacker has gotten too close; otherwise he should briefly control the ball before passing.

Exercise sequence:
1 A1 passes to B1 and sprints into the middle. 2 B1 passes into A1s path and runs to Cone C. 3 A1 passes directly to C and then runs to attack C. 4 C plays a wall pass with D, passing directly and then running around A1. 5 D passes into Cs path and runs to Cone A. 6 C passes directly to A2 and then runs to attack A2.

A typical mistake: A left-footed player runs around his weaker right foot in order to use his left. This wastes time and is easy to overlook. The coach should run all exercises in both directions and make sure all players are using both feet.