The midfield position is the most diverse area of the pitch in soccer, with numerous roles and rules often handed out to each individual midfielder.
Some play as defensive midfielders, acting as cover for the defenders, while others play as playmakers, serving as the creative creative hub of the team that puts passes into dangerous areas. However, the main role of a midfielder is to act as the bridge between a team’s defensive and attacking units, tasked with transitioning play from one half of the pitch to the other.
While the areas surrounding the goals is where all of the action happens, most of a soccer game is played in the middle. As a result, it is often the case that midfield players tend to cover more ground than their teammates throughout a match. As a result, it is vital that midfield players have the stamina to cope with the demands of the position.
However, while vital, stamina is the minimum that you will need to play in midfield successfully. To become a midfield maestro you will also need to spend time mastering:
Ball control:
The middle third is the most crowded area of the pitch. Midfielders must be able to adequately control the ball to ensure possession is not lost to the opposition.
Footwork:
Possessing good footwork will allow midfield players to navigate out of tricky situations without losing the ball.
Passing:
Midfielders are called upon to create attacking situations and must therefore be able to perform a range of passes, including crosses, short and long passes, to get the ball to the team’s attacking players.
Dribbling:
Particularly important for midfielders deployed on the wings, good dribbling skills will allow players to drive the ball out of their own half into the opposition’s territory.
Give it a try: Soccer golf
This drill offers a fantastic way for midfield players to practice their passing techniques outside of a match setting. Better yet, as this drill can be performed alone, there are very few limitations to when players can perform it.
Start by setting up two cones in a goal-like fashion on the pitch and then repeat the process in a number of different areas of the pitch. The area between these cones will serve as the ‘holes’, much like the flags at a golf course. Another single cone should be positioned at the other end of the field, marking the starting spot.
To begin the drill, the player should kick the ball towards the nearest ‘hole’, attempting to put the ball in between the two cones using a variety of long and short passes. The player should not move onto the next hole until they have successfully passed the ball between the previous hole. You should record how many touches of the ball it takes them to score through each hole, so that they can attempt to beat their score the next time.
If the player in your charge finds this drill to be too easy, you can increase the difficulty in a number of ways. Try varying the distance between the two cones, or placing obstacles in their way.
Learn More
Soccer Positions: Goalkeepers
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