7 Little Words Squares And Triangles

[Alice Palecek]

Myname is Craig Lansing and my goal is simple - to expand soccer knowledge to any coach that wants to be involved in a conversation. We all have different styles, theories and knowledge of the game but we simply get better by expanding our education and learning to listen to others so we can become the best coach in our own unique way.

As a soccer coach we are always talking TRIANGLES when speaking of game positioning. On any given training night I could probably count dozens of calls for "make a triangle." I myself have many times said those exact words. I recently was listening to a Podcast by Tom Mura who was talking about some sessions using a Double Diamond passing pattern. Although I am sure the Diamond or Double Diamond have been done for years by any number or youth and professional coaches it got me thinking of how I preach to my players that "little things make big differences".

I as a soccer coach have on many occasions setup a Rondo SQUARE and not thought anything about it because that is how I was taught to do it. As my son points out so eloquently "is a SQUARE and a DIAMOND not the same thing just turned a bit". Yes, Yes it is I responded. But then I asked the question question that turned on the light bulb, when was the last time you heard me or any other coach (either in pre-game or in the game) say "we need to make SQUARES today". Plain and simple we don't say those words. I am pretty sure I have never said in a pre-game strategy session that we are going to work on "making a SQUARE today."

I ask all my players to consider how much better they are when we perfect small details such as proper foot to use or body position. If I expect them to follow small details then I should hold myself to a higher standard if I want to teach them and be their role model.

CIRCLE: This round shape is often used in different activities such as warm-up sessions and Rondos but is not generally a shape we use in a soccer game. Although I have had a couple of seasons I joked that my girls team was playing a Donuts formation based on the fact that my midfield was bare due to them either being pushed up too far in the attack or swinging out wide on the wings.

SQUARE: It is a shape we see on the soccer field and in training from time to time. The problem most of us have in playing something like a 2 defender formation is that we always talk about being 'split'. So if the formation was a 2-2 most experienced coaches might move it around to a 1-2-1 formation as it makes it harder to split the players up the middle. So I would hope we can all agree a SQUARE is a DIAMOND but most of us do not play a square formation. So if we don't play a SQUARE formation should we maybe not run activities around it.

TRIANGLE: One of the most popular shapes in soccer. The poster child of on field positioning is the glorious TRIANGLE. The 3 corner approach allows for good passing, amazing ball movements such as give-and-go's or wall passing. But if you think about our Principles of Attack we always talk about penetration, width, depth and support. The TRIANGLE can provide some of these items if you set it up but will always lack one of them - because it only has 3 sides. If we want to make our training's 'game like' then lets step up to the DIAMOND.

DIAMOND: Last but not least the precious DIAMOND. Although a close relative to the SQUARE it seems the most well-rounded (pun intended) to provide all of the core of Attacking Principles in that it has width, depth and support. In training sessions I am going to start using the DIAMOND more often as I believe it adds the additional layer which in turn can give my players more options, more decisions and more challenges to improve on.

A few years ago, I was surprised to realise that many people in my local quilt group did not know the trick for calculating what to cut for triangles. They were lost without a pattern. I cannot remember where I learned this little gem of information, but it means that I can work out the size to cut my fabric for almost any pieced quilt block, and it allows me to sew whatever block catches my fancy, with or without a pattern.

With Yvonne (Quilting Jetgirl) and Cheryl (Meadow Mist Designs) hosting a festival for sewing tips and tutorials, I thought I would share some simple quilt maths, which I first shared in my local guild newsletter.

A half-square triangle is, as the name suggests, a triangle that is formed from drawing a diagonal line through the centre of a square to form two halves. The grain direction of a half-square triangle is as pictured.

The same measurements work whether you prefer to cut your triangles and then sew them together in pairs or you like to place two squares right sides together, mark a diagonal line through the middle and sew a scant inch on either side of the line before cutting along your marked line.

When making the pieces for the 6-inch pinwheel block, I added 1 inch to the finished size of 3 inches and cut two 4-inch squares in each fabric. I then cut these all on the diagonal, sewed them back together in pairs, pressed and trimmed to 3 inches before assembling the pinwheel.

The important difference between half-square triangles and quarter-square triangles is the grain direction. The grain of a half-square triangle runs parallel to the short sides of the triangle; the grain of a quarter-square triangle runs parallel to the long side of the triangle.

For example, if I want to make the 12-inch finished Ohio star block pictured, I need four yellow quarter-square triangles. To determine the fabric cutting size for the yellow areas, I add 1 inches to 4 inches and cut one 5-inch square, which I then cut in half twice on the diagonal. When sewn together with one white and two blue quarter-square triangles, also cut to the same measurements with a scant -inch seam allowance, these form neat 4-inch squares.

I stopped actively updating this blog in 2021, but I do read and reply to comments, and I am still sewing, knitting and crocheting.

If you have been inspired by the projects or tutorials on this blog, please share your photos on Instagram (@grannymaudsgirl).

Carla

Then just look to the right, and choose the measurement in the first white column if you are making them to the exact size. Choose the measurement in the second white column if you are making them larger for trimming. This is the measurement that you will cut the squares.

Remember that however many squares you cut, that is now many HSTs you will end up with. So, if you cut 2 squares and sew them up according to this method, you will end up with 2 identical HSTs. If you cut 50 squares and assemble them according to this method, you will end up with 50 HSTs.

This chart came at the perfect time for me because of the project I am starting today. Thank you. Often I think of the words at the bottom of this page. It has made quite a difference (all good) in my life. May Peace be with you.

Thank you so much. I have been looking for something that would give me some guidance on how much fabric to purchase and how large/small to make the triangles to achieve the finished results. This has been most helpful.

Hi Jacquelynne

I have sewed 80 HST and wondered what method would be the best to trim them to 4.5 inches. You suggested the 45 degree lines. Thank you so much for the advise.

Regards

Dalene

Annie and Samantha are bringing you a fun and exciting roundup of our favorite bag patterns and notions. From adorable backpacks to charming zipper pulls, we've got something for every sewing enthusiast.

Karen O'Connor used several blocks from previous Blockheads, her own unique setting, and fabrics from Crystal Manning's Julia collection to create a truly stunning quilt inspired by Julia Child -- and she's sharing the pattern on the Moda blog!

Welcome to Month 7 of the Chatsworth quilt-along! Today's blog post features Doug's tips for constructing the block setting and the braided flying geese, as well as links to helpful step-by-step videos! Grab your Chatsworth book and get ready to sew along!

When I first started making quilts, I loved strip-piecing. Nine-patches and four-patches, Irish Chains and Rail Fences - even strips that finished at less than 1" didn't seem that difficult. I made a Sun and Shadow quilt, a Trip Around the World and a Lone Star - it was still strip-pieced. But half-triangle squares? Not. On. The. List.

The only thing my pieced units had in common with half-triangle squares is that they both had four sides. Ninety-degree corners? Yeah, right. I was lucky if I could manage getting one that could be deemed to be a right-angle.

Not half-square triangles - though they are required to make a half-triangle square. It's been the subject of some amusement since I started working here because I have always called the square made up of two equal-size triangles a half-triangle square. A half-square triangle is the single triangle part. (And yes, I use the same distinctions for quarter-triangle squares and quarter-square triangles. I know... I'm an odd duck.)

Whatever you like to call them, I think it's important to know as many ways as possible to make them because you never know when you might need to use a different method. Tools for the toolbox, right?

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