Coaching a midfield is about making sure each of your midfielders understands their role and responsibilities. With good coaching and organisation your midfield should be able to support the defence and take the ball up the pitch, combining with the forwards to create and score goals. They need to have vision to see where to pass, and the skill and speed to execute their tactics.
These soccer drills and small-sided games look at a number of different midfield scenarios and suggest methods and coaching games to play to boost your midfield players’ skills.
Lewis Cook became the first man to lift a World Cup for England since Bobby Moore lifted the old Jules Rimet trophy in 1966, after leading the Under 20s to a win over Venezuela in the final. They won a frantic game thanks to a first-half strike from Dominic Calvert-Lewin and aided by a second-half […]
This possession-based session gives players a good idea of looking and moving to the pass and awards points if the players succeed in moving the ball through the thirds. Why use it This is a session based on passing and moving between the thirds. It is quite a technical game but an excellent session in […]
A key to a passing team is retaining possession in midfield. Use this session to show your players how to keep hold of the ball in the middle of the pitch. Why use it Holding onto the ball is the best way to ensure opponents don’t score. Passing and moving using good control is the […]
What an amazing achievement for Chelsea’s N’Golo Kante to win back-to-back titles at different clubs. He’s been the model of consistency with the way he breaks play up and £32 million looks a bargain for such a match winner. The weekend saw Kante win his second consecutive Premier League title when Chelsea saw off West […]
Yaya Toure can drive defenders backwards, find space and exploit it. Use this fast session to teach your midfielders how to drive play in different ways, just like the Ivory Coast star. Why use it Attacking play from midfield can fire a team forward and create the kind of chances in the final third that […]
This session is all about cover and support play. Every player has to attack and defend which helps you to develop match play in training. Why use it Big overload for team with no goalkeeper coaches players in the need to shoot early when outnumbered and for the overload team to cover at the back. […]
Use this session to teach players the value of hard working midfielders. They can disrupt even the best passing teams by working in pairs to block any moves through midfield. Why use it Working in pairs in midfield or attack is an ideal way to disrupt passing teams by positioning and support play. Anticipation is […]
Give your players plenty of decision making opportunities in this fun transition game, which also exposes players to lots of overload situations. Set up Pitch size: 30 x 20 yards (minimum) / up to 40 x 25 yards (maximum) Two teams of four players Two goals Two keepers Rules Each team defends one goal. One […]
Encourage your players to be as creative as Juan Mata around the penalty area and teach them the importance of a well-weighted pass and a well-timed run. Why use it Creativity around the box is vital to ensuring the creation of scoring chances. The type and accuracy of pass are key, as is a good […]
Develop the ability of your players to pick out team-mates and create space for them with quick but effective passes, just as Tom Cleverley has done for Manchester United this season
