The shape
A back four, a holding midfielder at the base of a diamond, two shuttling midfielders either side and a number 10 at the tip behind two strikers. It is narrow by design. With the ball the full-backs provide all the width and the shuttlers break into the channels. Without it the diamond squeezes into the middle and the strikers press the centre backs.
Roles
- Goalkeeper. Plays short to the holder or either centre back, and goes long to a full-back when the middle is crowded.
- Full Backs. The only wide players in the team. Push high for width and recover fast, because nobody in front of them will.
- Centre Backs. Deal with crosses and long balls with a holder in front of them. Step out when the strikers press.
- Holding Midfielder. The base of the diamond. Screens the back four and keeps the ball moving.
- Shuttlers. Work the half-spaces, press wide when the ball goes to the opposition full-back and support the attack in the channels.
- Number 10. The tip of the diamond. Finds space behind their midfield, feeds the strikers and presses their holding midfielder.
- Strikers. Stretch the back four across its width. One drops, one runs. Both press the centre backs.
Strengths
- Four players in central midfield dominate the middle of the pitch.
- Two strikers plus a 10 give three attacking threats close together.
- Short passing triangles everywhere in the middle.
- Suits a squad with several good central midfielders and no wingers.
Weaknesses
- Narrow, so the full-backs can be isolated by wide players.
- Opposition full-backs are left free to attack.
- Crosses into your box come often if the shuttlers do not shift wide.
- Needs two very fit full-backs and a disciplined holder or it falls apart.
When to use it
Pick it when your squad is packed with central midfielders and short of wingers, and you have two strikers who can play together. It works on a narrow pitch, where the lack of width matters less, and against teams who play through the middle. Avoid it on a wide pitch against quick wingers and attacking full-backs; the shuttlers will spend the afternoon running sideways.
What to coach in training
- Diamond rondo 4v2 in a 15 by 15 box with the midfielders in their diamond positions, so the holder, shuttlers and 10 learn the angles and the one-touch bounce.
- Shifting wide: the coach plays to an opposition full-back and the near shuttler and full-back press while the holder slides across and the 10 drops to cover the middle.
- Width from the back: the holder receives and plays a first-time diagonal to the far full-back, who takes it in his stride and crosses for two strikers.
Works well against
It overruns a 4-4-2 and a 4-5-1 in central midfield, where four against two or three means the 10 and shuttlers find space. It is most vulnerable to a 4-3-3 or 3-4-3 with quick wide players attacking your full-backs, so against those drop a shuttler to the touchline on the ball side.
