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beginnerpassing15-20 minutes4-8 players

Passing Diamond

Four-player passing pattern that develops combination play, movement, and technical execution. Players form a diamond shape and rotate positions after each pass sequence.

U8-U10U11-U12U13-U14U15+

Setup

Set up four cones in a diamond shape, approximately 10-15 metres apart (adjust based on age). Position one player at each cone. The drill begins with the player at the bottom of the diamond passing to either side player. After passing, players follow their pass and take the position of the player they passed to, creating constant rotation. Multiple diamonds can run simultaneously with groups of four.

Coaching Points

  • 1Play with maximum two touches, receive across your body
  • 2Pass into the path of your teammate, not at their feet
  • 3Follow your pass at game speed, do not jog
  • 4Communicate before and during each pass
  • 5Keep your head up to see the next pass before receiving
  • 6Focus on both feet, encourage weaker foot development

Variations

  • Progress to one-touch passing once players are comfortable
  • Add a central player who receives and plays back (5-player diamond)
  • Include a defender who pressures but cannot tackle
  • Change direction of rotation periodically
  • Introduce overlapping runs where players sprint past the receiver

Frequently Asked Questions

What age is the passing diamond suitable for?

The passing diamond works for players as young as 8 years old. For younger age groups, reduce distances between cones and focus on basic passing technique before adding movement and rotation.

How does the passing diamond improve players?

The drill develops passing accuracy, first touch, movement off the ball, spatial awareness, and communication. Players learn to play and move, a fundamental principle of football, whilst improving their technical execution under controlled conditions.

Can the passing diamond be used as a warm-up?

Yes, the passing diamond is excellent as a warm-up drill. It increases heart rate gradually, activates key muscle groups, and gets players focused on technical execution before more intense training activities.

How do I progress the passing diamond for advanced players?

For advanced players, reduce the number of touches (one-touch only), increase the speed of execution, add defensive pressure, or include specific movement patterns like overlaps or third-man runs.

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Related Keywords

passing drillcombination playmovementrotationtechnical trainingpassing patternsyouth footballcoaching sessionwarm-up drillpassing accuracyfootball basicstraining ground

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Passing Diamond - Football Coaching Drill | FootballGPT