The Role of Players in a Diamond
While on the Attack
By John Dingle
The diamond shape in soccer is the basic tactical building block. In the diamond, all individual and group tactics can be taught and executed. Before coaches use the diamond as a building block for teaching tactics, the players must understand the body positions and specific roles to the positions in the diamond. It is important to note that players rotate positions throughout effective 4v4 and 4v4 plus goalkeeper activities.
Body Positions
Facing Goal: A player if facing goal when their hips are open to the goal they are attacking. The deep player in the diamond spends most of the time facing goal.
- Side On: Playing side on refers to a player who has their side facing the goal.
By playing side on, the player can have their hips open to the majority of the field. This position increases vision from a wide starting point. The wide players in the diamond have the prominent body position of side on.
Back to Goal: A player with their back to goal is facing the goal they are defending. The target player in the diamond usually plays with their back to goal when the ball is possessed by the deep player.
Roles of Deep Player while on the Attack
- Recognize visual signs: When in possession of the ball, the opposition’s position on the field dictates where the ball can be played. When the middle is cut off at least one wing is open. When the wings are cut off an angle in the middle can be found.
- Support: The deep player must support the ball. The angle and distance of the support depends on the pressure on the ball. When the ball is under low pressure the deep player can go in advance of the ball.
- Connect/balance: By moving up and down the field in relation to the ball, the deep player stays connected to the wide players and the target player.
- Circulating: The deep player must have the ability to play the ball away from pressure. Circulating the ball from one side to the other is a role provided by the deep player.
Roles of Wide Players while on the Attack
- Support: The wide player must find passing angles when the deep and target player has the ball. The distance and angle of the support changes according to the amount of pressure on the ball. Wide players need to understand the angle and distance relationship to pressure. Wide players need to understand when the player with the ball needs support the ball for a pass to feet and when they can make a run for a ball to space.
- Connect: The side players connect the deep player to the target player. This transitional component is tested when the ball is played from the deep player to the target player. The side players act as a piston throughout the game.
- Timing of runs: The side player needs to time runs when on the non ball side. Runs are set up to arrive to the space as the ball arrives. Wide players are encouraged to make early runs for the defense and timely runs for the ball.
Role of Target Player while on the Attack
- Check to the ball: The target player must be able to check to the ball effectively. Checking to the ball separates the player from the opposition and creates space.
- Playing with back to goal: The target player must be able to hold possession of the ball until help arrives. The back to goal position is used to hold possession. The target player must be strong on the ball to play with heir back to goal and must be able to find supporting players while under pressure.
- Diagonal Runs: The target player needs to be able to time diagonal runs are also used to create space in the middle of the field for team mates.
- Runs for through balls: The target player must be able to time runs to stay on side for through balls. The target player needs to understand when to make runs from the defenders blind side and when the run can be made in front of the opposition.
Copyright, Soccer Source 360, 2008
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Filed under: Tactics
