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.
in Midfield, Small Sided Games
This game develops quick thinking midfielders like Christian Eriksen. Players like this can set up attacks by reacting quickly to moments of transition in a game, principally moving from defence to attack. MORE
To make your attacking midfielders effective in front of goal you need to get them to shoot at every opportunity. This session is about scoring and reacting, beating a keeper or getting past a defender. MORE
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Attacking midfielders have always been great to watch... especially when I have had the benefit of a great attacking midfielder in my own team. But even if I haven't been blessed with one I can create attacking midfielders that will run the game for me. MORE
Developing a three-man midfield is important because it will give your team domination and versatility. Formations that include three players in midfield, such as 4-3-3 and 4-5-1, are the most popular used in the English Premier League. MORE
Use this session to improve the link play between your midfielders and forwards. Midfielders who are looking to get the ball to an attacker need to create space to thread passes through, while target men need to learn to receive and control the ball MORE
When a team is on the attack it is vital midfield support is quick and the passes are the correct weight and into space. MORE
When a team is on the attack it is vital midfield support is quick and the passes are the correct weight and into space MORE
The success of Spain at international level proves a game based on possession can win the biggest trophies. Try this exercise with your players and they will start appreciating the value of keeping the ball. MORE
The enforcer’s role in the team is to stop opponent’s attacks by applying pressure and making tackles. He plays just in front of the defence and is often the first resistance an opposition attack faces. MORE
This is about creating space in midfield when build ups start from the back and fullbacks or centre backs have possession and want to use it cleverly. MORE
Arsenal and Barcelona are excellent examples of teams that play composed football through their Midfield Maestros (Fabregas, Nasri, Wilshere, Xavi, Iniesta, Busquets). This session will help your team launch attacks through the middle of the pitch. MORE
This session is all about possession play in a tight midfield area. Players must use quick decision-making coupled with crisp, clean passing to move the ball between target players. MORE
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Long passes and long shots can be a spectacular way to get the ball in the back of the net. MORE
The conductor may be the person who controls a group of musicians but on your team, he pulls the strings when it comes to attacks. Xavi Hernandez of FC Barcelona is one famous player who thrives in this crucial role. MORE
in Midfield, Soccer drills and skills
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. MORE
The term “box to box” is given to midfielders who are able to get from one penalty box to the other in order to both create and score goals. This dynamic type of player is worth his weight in gold because he is vital in defence as well. MORE
One of the attacking midfielder’s key jobs is to get into advanced positions to create goalscoring opportunities for strikers and find the back of the net himself. MORE
Use this session to encourage your players to get the ball wide in order to open up the pitch for an attacking move and to create more scoring opportunities MORE
If you want to score more goals, use this activity to teach your players to develop solid midfield passing and to attack with the help of wide midfielders MORE
in Defending, Email newsletters, Midfield
If you find that even the brightest of your young stars is prone to losing possession when on a surging forward run, always make sure that each member of your team understands how important it is to get the ball back as quickly as possible. MORE
in Midfield, Small Sided Games
If you want your players to understand the role of the midfield enforcer, try this challenging game to teach them how to win back possession. MORE
Central midfielders are key to the development of all matches. Help your “middle men” influence the game by improving their movement and their ability to gain possession of the ball. MORE
in Midfield, Soccer drills and skills
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. MORE
in Email newsletters, Midfield
To dominate the centre of the park you need players who can drive through midfield with excellent close control and balance, get into advanced positions and link with strikers to create goalscoring opportunities. MORE
