Handbook for 1-4-4-2 ‘’DIAMONT’’

The '' Diamond '' of formations!

Vasilis Papadakis
UEFA A’ Soccer Coach
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 Contents
• 1. Formation vs Formation
• 2. Application-movements in the attack phase
• 3. Application-movements in the defense
phase
• 4. Indicative training drills for the
implementation of the formation

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 Chapter 1

Contrasting formations

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 Strong points
• The big ‘’gun’’ of the formation is the 4 playing
closed midfielders, making it possible to every
other point formation.
• The 2 attackers with the attacking midfielder,
also creates a very strong triangle in attack.
• Central zone, is always '' full '‘ in defence.

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 Weak points
• Formations with more than 2 players to
extremes, can create defensive problems.
• The promotion and monitoring of full-backs,
‘’opens’’ the diamond.
• No width in attack.

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 1-4-4-2 diamond

• Basic triangles cooperation. The promotion of

full-backs creates two more.
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1-4-4-2 vs 1-3-5-2
The central-zone for the two teams leading the game at the edges. The
team based approach and partnerships-moves, will turn out
supernumerary at the ends, will acquire offensive advantage.

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1-4-4-2 vs 1-4-3-3
On offense, there are supernumeraries and advantages on all lines.
Defensively we have to monitor the promotion and problems that
enables us to create, the opponent's full-backs.

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1-4-4-2 vs 1-4-2-3-1
The above player in the center is the one that must be grasped to make then
supernumerary in our aggressive or 1vs1 in attack zone. Defensively the
check promotions of opponents full-back, is an essential prerequisite for good
defensive operation.

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 Chapter 2

Application-movements in the attack phase

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 1-4-4-2 diamond

• The basic moves aggressively for players.

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Development of extreme back-solutions
The defensive midfielder, right midfielder , center for and the center
back should support and give solutions in places that have been created
with combination moves.

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Development of extreme back by changing terms
With the defensive depth is always necessary, for lack of risk, change side
by fast passing, is a good choice to find spaces and disorganized
opponent.

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Development of center-solutions-moves
When the ball is on defensive midfielder the other 3 diamond's
midfielders and the full-back give solutions, while the center backs must
always give security options.

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1 center-for aside-moves
When a CF founds with the ball aside, the aggressive midfielder becomes
the 2nd striker in the box and our sides midfielder comes high in
offensive roles or '' hidden '' offensive.

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Direct development of central defensive
When the σtoppers climb with the ball and our midfielder are closed, a large
pass in fan CF, can become a very good solution for immediate development.
This long pass should be supported directly by our midfielders and 2 nd
attacker

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Direct development-rising full-back
In this case, the inner midfielder claimed the wall-pass back of CF and
the promotion of our full-back, gave us solution for aggressive
development that will lead possibly to kick-off in the box.

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Instant deployment-ball in CF back space
The wall-pass from one CF, supported by aggressive midfielder and ends
in a vertical pass in the back of the opposing defense, in space that
combined has moved our 2nd striker.

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Changing the game-moves
Transferring with passes and moves to mislead the enemy on one side,
choose quick change in the opponent's zone defense impossible, for our
players who stayed and moves in this area.

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Rising full-back for kick-off-movements
In the final phase of attack and shortly before kick-off, our 3 players in the
box(2 CF and 1 CM), changing spaces creating offensive triangle. The goal is
always to have space to move the time of kickoff, to escape from the
diffenders

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Contrary moves of 2 CF-vertical final pass
The 2 CF with opposing moves lure the 2 CB to come out, for a final
vertical pass .

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CF’s Opening -Penetration central midfielder
The 2 CF’s open the 2 CB’s, to be able to move our aggressive midfielder
for penetration or final pass.

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Midfielder move in CF’s back side (3rd player)
Holding of 3rd player, with collaboration of 2 CF and an overlap move of
an CM .

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Midfielder move in the box
By orienting the opponent with passes and deceptive moves on the
other side, exploit the promotion of inner instrument of the opposite
side, on the back of the defense.

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Crosswise movement of 2 CF -vertical pass
In any formation with 2 CF, classic ΄΄crosswise΄΄ move generates space in
the back of defense, enough to do at the right time.

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Final aggressive positioning-roles-moves
In the final phase of the attack, we create 3 lines for a) harnessing the
kickoff in the area, b) back pass for shoot or securing the rebound from
defenders and c) supernumerary in defense and avoid a counterattack.

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 Chapter 3

• Application-movements in the defense phase

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 DEFENSIVE OPERATION
• In graphics look attitudes, in relation to the
opponent ball holder.
• Their learning is done with ΄΄shadow drills΄΄,
passing drills per line or 2 lines and small
sided games.
• In slow tempo-passively for the defense, in
warm-up games.

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Ball in opponent back-Forechecking
Whole group combined offset to the side of the ball. Close all the short
passes, aiming to bring the opponent to wrong choices and the
interception of the ball.

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Ball in opponent CB - Forechecking
The 3 aggressive players closes all options for a short pass, the opponent
back s is controlled by the midfielder. The placement of trying to avoid
the side change.

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Ball in opponent defensive midfielder-pressing
Always when the ball found in the center in an opponent defensive
midfielder, the ‘’diamont’’ closes for superumerary , pressure and stealing the
ball. One CF returns to press (double-press) and along the 2nd CF close the
back pass in an CB.

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Ball into right-center Pressing
Displacement of ‘’diamond’’ on the side and 1 CF closes for pressure. All
possible short passes are controlled and trying to avoid changing side
with right angle mark.

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Ball in an opponent striker (CF)
Defence 4 closing and create defensive depth. Check the other aggressive
players. Returning of defensive midfielders or double-press, other
midfielders and aggressive returns for closing lines (coherence).

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Movements in terms of change
If the opponent manages to pass the ball to the opposite side of us, gets
combined quick shift with diagonal movements, aiming to control the
passes and to close areas again.

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Pressure on the holder and check all near passes
It is very important to close the nearby ball holder transfers.

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Change side-moves
Quick diagonal movements with predefined roles and areas of
responsibility is the key. Important the correct assessment of the
situation, so if need be a delay, to re-establish the numerical balance.

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Organized defense in 1-4-4-1-1
When selected the non-press high, the aggressive midfielder returns and are
divided into 2 zones, with early defense oriented space ball. The 1 CF moves
closer to the ball, to help in pressure and help in a possible counterattack.

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Defensive attitudes in triangles (1)
Coherence of lines and players through triangular relations in depth and
width.

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Defensive attitudes in triangles (2)
Comparative form of placements in relation to the ball, for consistency
lines and players, through triangular relations in depth and width.

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Defensive attitudes in triangles (3)
Suggestive moves and placements, with the ball at the opponent CF, for
consistency lines and players, through triangular relationship in depth
and width.

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 Chapter 4

Indicative training drills for the

implementation of the formation

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 Indicative training drills
• Drills for warm-up
• Racing combined drills with ending phase
• Small Sided Games.
• Final Games

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Warm-up drill
In 2 subgroups: a) defense and defensive midfielder for change
and promote full-back and b) internal MD, aggressive CM and
2 CF for moves and reception. Give ball and follow your pass.

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Warm-up drill
In formation with diamond. Form: give and follow your pass.
The last CF, drives the ball at the beginning. Indicator series of
passes.

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Warm Up drill-Aerobic
Specialization coaching positions in form give the ball and
follow. Topped with driving in starting position. Running
simultaneously on both sides. In the variant finish phase with
2 ways (shoot or vertical pass).
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Warm-up drill
In 2 subgroups: a) 4 defenders and a defensive midfielder
(topic change side) and (b)) 4 midfielders and 2 strikers. Give
and follow.

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Special Endurance drill based on the formation
Movements and cooperations based on the positions of players. Runs
alternately from left and right, with subgroups 2-3 players per position.
The defensive midfielder after the pass, drive a ball and shoot in the
other goal.

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Specializing in attacking 3 & full-backs in crosses
Collaboration of 2 footballers for a cross in the box and
combined moves of aggressive 3 (offensive triangle)

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Specialized offensive 3 and 1 full-back
Collaboration of 3 attackers (1 CF-1 CM) and 1 full-back for
kick-off. The drill is running unopposed. Can gradually be
added 1 or 2 defenders.

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3 vs 2 in crosses
In simple form crosses with aggressive syupernumerary and
final placing 1st-2nd shootout and crossbar. Emphasis on
attack moves, in the correct placement and quality of kickoff
(mark player).
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.
5 vs 2 specialisation with ending phase
Sync partnership with using players in their positions. 5
attackers against 2 defenders. Emphasis on synchronization of
movements and the quality of the final pass.

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Diamond specialization SSG 4vs3 (+ 2 + 2) (A)
In gated triangles in center, 4vs3 SSG, using external 2 CB
and 2 CF. Emphasis on blue players exists on each
triangle. If you missed the ball direct pressure for
recovery (supenumerary)
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Diamond specialization SSG 4vs3 (+ 2 + 2) (B)
In progress of the game put 2 small goalies on the side , out of the drill area.
If the defenders (red) steal ball trying to score playing in side-goalies, to win
the diamond. The 4 players of diamond, tries to directly press on the ball , for
non-pass in the sides.

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3 vs 2 & 4 vs 3
With aggressive supernumerary and utilization of players at
their position. We create the conditions that we are placing
players into positions. Specializing cooperative movements (1-
2, overlap, penetration, etc.)
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6 vs 6 shoot game
Movement zones: 3 defenders and 2 CF move in zone A and
the 3 defenders averages in zone G. In the neutral zone B can
only moves the attackers averages of diamond (red) to shoot.
If the blue win the ball, scores in 4 passes.

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5 vs 5

Formation SSG e.g. 3 midfielders + 2 attackers vs 4 defenders

+ 1 defensive midfielder

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SSG 8 vs 6 FOR shots or crosses
Small Sided Game with supernumerary into zones, aiming
shoots or crosses and finishing phase. Specialization of
defense (Blue 4 + 2) & attack (Red 2-4-2). If the blue team
wins the ball, direct pressure of reds, to not allow 6 passes.

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8 vs 8 game into zones of specialization
3 zones 20 x 40 m. Formation of 2-4-2, which becomes in final
zone at 3 vs 2 aggressively, as can 1 midfielder to promote.

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8 vs 8 game to shoot or kick-off
Game with emphasis on shots or crosses (to side zone, enters
only 1 defender). Same formation for 2 teams.

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Game 8vs8 (2-4-2 vs 4-4-0)
Game tutorial predatory and defensive diamond formation:
team with aggressive roles 2 full-backs, 4 midfielders-2
attackers. The defence team 4 midfielders and 4 defenders.

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8 vs 7 Game
Game aggressive diamond application (missing 2 CB), against the team
that defends on 1-4-3-3 (missing 3 attackers). Emphasis on
supernumerary in centre and the use of full-backs. In a variant full-
backs play in external zones for crosses.

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Game 8 vs 8 for ball transfer
Aerobic tactical formation game 2-4-2 (missing 2 CB). Goals in every successful
transfer (with min. 8 passes) from one external to another. When you win the ball,
you must give back in the outside players, to start the attack.

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Game 10 vs10 in space 70 x 60 m.
Preseason game. Formation vs formation. Zones with limit
touches. Defence zone 2 touches, central zone 3 touches,
attacking zone free.

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10vs10 with supernumerary in defense , in field 70 x 60 m.
Game in zones with emphasis on the development from the
defense zone (4vs2 or 4 vs3). Aggressively can climb 1 player
to the next zone.

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 Author
• Vasilis Papadakis
• UEFA A’ Soccer Coach
• Chania-Crete-Greece-May 2016

• Email: vvpapadakis@yahoo.gr
• Web Page: www.soccercoach.gr
• Blog: www.vpsoccercoach.blogspot.gr

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