Flick's Barcelona double diamond: one-two, circulation and long diagonal
Two identical diamonds mirrored either side of the halfway line. Each diamond circulates the ball first time from a feeder's one-two and ends with a long diagonal to the central player, who finishes in the opposite diamond's mini goal. The two diagonals cross through the middle.
El 3 se descuelga del cono; el 1 juega la pared al primer toque.
Objective
First-time circulation with support players peeling off their cones to open passing lines, a switch of play with a long diagonal and a finish after an oriented first touch.
Organisation
Two cone diamonds 10-15 m between points, mirrored either side of the halfway line, with a mini goal next to each diamond's feeder cone. In each diamond: feeder with balls at the cone by the mini goal and one player at each of the other three cones. One central player near halfway for each diamond.
Development
- 1The feeder (1) starts with a first-time one-two with the nearest side support (3), who has peeled off the cone to offer a line.
- 2Player 1 plays to the support on the other side (2), who has also moved off the cone; 2 plays to the far point (4), who drops to receive facing play.
- 3Player 4 switches play with a long diagonal to the central player (5), positioned near halfway on the opposite side.
- 4Player 5 takes an oriented touch, drives and finishes in the mini goal next to the other diamond's feeder.
- 5Meanwhile the other diamond does the same in mirror image, so the two diagonals cross through the middle; after the finish the drill resets from the other side.
- 6Rotation: 1 to 3, 3 to 2, 2 to 4, 4 to central, and the central player returns to the feeder of their diamond with the ball.
Coaching points4
- Side supports move off the cone as the pass is played, not before, to receive with an advantage.
- Everything first time when the tempo allows: the ball never stops in the diamond.
- The long diagonal is driven with the laces to the central player's far foot.
- The central player receives side-on to the mini goal to finish in two touches.
Common mistakes3
- Supports receiving standing still by the cone and the diamond losing tempo.
- A soft or lofted diagonal that makes the central player wait for the ball.
- The two diamonds out of sync so the diagonals arrive when the central player is not ready.
Variations3
- Limit to two touches (control) or one (full tempo).
- The central player returns the ball short to the feeder instead of finishing, to work circulation only.
- Replace the mini goal with a keeper in a full-size goal.
Progressions2
- Passive defender on the central player, forcing the touch away from him.
- Both diamonds start with two balls at once and must cross without collision.
Regressions2
- One diamond running while the other watches, then swap.
- 8-10 m distances and free touches.
Tips
- Synchronise the starts with a coach's signal until both groups share the same rhythm.
- Plenty of balls by each feeder so the mini goal never slows the circuit.