Soccer
Pressing
Diamond Midfield Press
Soccer drill for pressing training sessions
Central midfield diamond practises coordinated pressing traps in the middle third.
What This Drill Improves
This soccer drill is best for advanced players who need focused work on pressing. It works well with 12 players and can be adjusted by changing the space, pressure, or scoring rules.
Setup
4-diamond midfield vs 3-4 opponents. Coach feeds to various positions.
Instructions
- When ball is played to CM, nearest mid presses immediately.
- Two deeper mids shift to cut passing lanes.
- Advanced mid drops to cover the space behind.
- Trap ball into corner or sideline zone.
Coaching Points
✓ Press must be triggered — not random.
✓ Cut the easy pass, then press the ball.
✓ Diamond must rotate shape as a unit.
Common Mistakes to Watch For
- Defenders diving in instead of delaying and controlling space.
- Teammates pressing individually rather than moving as a unit.
- Poor communication before the ball arrives.
Progressions: Make It Harder
→ Live match — press in real game flow.
→ Possession team score if they play through the press 3 times.
→ Press team scores on turnovers.
Regressions: Make It Easier
Reduce the number of defenders or make pressure passive for the first few rounds.
Increase the playing space so players have more time to make decisions.
Want to add drills directly to a session plan?
View Premium