Diamond Midfield Press Resistance
Press Resistance
Legend
- players
- opponents or partner
- ball
- core action
How it works
Circulate the ball through a midfield diamond against pressing opponents to develop press resistance in the middle third.
What you need
- cones
- soccer ball
- scrimmage vests
Your focus
The midfield is where most presses are designed to trap possession. Building press resistance in a diamond midfield structure teaches players to play quickly, find free teammates, and move the ball through the most congested and pressured area of the field.
Set up a 20x20 yard diamond of 4 midfielders. 2 pressing players in the center.
Diamond midfield circulates; 2 pressers try to win the ball.
Diamond earns 1 point for 6 consecutive passes; pressers earn 1 point for winning ball.
Maximum 2 touches for the diamond players.
Play for 6 minutes; rotate pressers every 90 seconds.
Debrief: when were the pressers most effective? How did the diamond escape?
Goal
Success is completing 6 consecutive passes through the diamond under pressing pressure, patience through the press, not panic when defenders close.
Helpful cues
- Move before you receive, show for the ball with body open
- When one presser comes, play around them to the free player
- Speed of play beats pressing intensity, be quicker than their press
Adjust the challenge
Make it easier
Strip it back
3 touches allowed; one presser instead of two.
UpLVL it
Add the next challenge
3 pressers in the diamond, now must be 1-touch only to escape.No account needed
Build a practice plan
Add drills, keep the plan in this browser, then share a link with your staff or parents.This library helps you find the right drill. Inside UpLVL the right drill finds the player.
This library helps you find the right drill. Inside UpLVL the right drill finds the player.After every practice, UpLVL automatically surfaces the drills each player needs to work on most. See it for yourself.