Soccer Midfielder Tips and How tos
The midfielder contributes to both attack and defense in a soccer team, often the midfielders will cover the greatest distance during the course of a game. Midfielders must possess stamina, defensive ability and the ability to keep possession for their team. Some teams pair a defensive player with one who has more attacking instincts. If a defensive midfielder is not designated players must have the awareness for at least one midfielder to hold and not have the team exposed to a counter attack. Positional discipline is particularly important in the central midfield area. Wide midfielders must have the ability to put quality crossed balls into the area.
Central Midfielders
The central midfield department is often referred to as ‘the engine room’, or the ‘backbone’ of a team. Both of these common references show the perceived importance of a central midfielder to a team. Defensively central midfielders must pressure the ball and provide cover in the areas away from the ball. Diagram A illustrates good defensive positioning for central midfielders; Image created with Coachfx
Diagram A
In diagram A midfielder O6 has possession of the ball and X8 is pressuring the ball. X8 puts the opposition under pressure and wins a tackle for possession if possible, he is also cutting out the possibility of a pass into the feet of O9. X6 is adopting a cover position that allows his to intercept a pass to O10, or to close down O8 and pressure the ball if it is passed sideways. Wingers X7 and X11 pressure the ball in wide positions. If an opposing midfielder makes a run forward the midfielders must track the run goal side unless the defender is unoccupied. For example in diagram A if midfielder O8 runs goal side of X6 it creates a 3 v 2 mismatch against the central defenders. However, if O11 runs and X7 communicates early and clearly he can be passed on to defender X2, who is otherwise unoccupied.
When their team is in possession central midfielders are an integral part of the teams attack. If a central midfielder can beat his man, and create a 3 v 2 mismatch in central or wide areas it will cause problems for the defensive team. When making forward runs into the penalty area, midfielders should monitor the situation in front of them, and enter the area when both central defenders are occupied with forwards. Midfielders can also create problems from deep with clever passing. If a midfielder receives the ball from the left sideline, she should open up and look to pass right, taking advantage of the fact the defense is shifting from side to side. If a forward or winger is forced to stop and go backwards to avoid losing possession, at least one central midfielder should be an option for them to pass back.
The midfield below of Chelsea and England national team star Frank Lampard contains his highlights, and shows the damage an attacking midfielder can do to the opposition by joining the attack effectively;
Click here to view the VideoWide MidfieldersWide Midfielders
Left and right sided midfielders, often referred to as wingers are responsible for providing width to their team and stretching the opposition defense laterally. When the ball is central the wingers should have their heels on the sideline providing optimal width for their team. When the winger has possession in a 1 v 1 situation out wide, they should look to penetrate the back line and put a quality cross into the area, this can be done off the dribble or by using a give and go pass. A wide midfielder should develop their dribbling ability as the ability to penetrate the opposition is a huge asset to your team, and a big danger to the opposing defense.
When a winger has possession in the attacking third he should look to get quality crosses into the penalty area. A winger with the ability to cross well from a range of angles and distance, can be a huge threat even without significant pace to penetrate the opposition. England national team star David Beckham is a good example is this kind of player. When the opposite winger is in possession and likely to cross the ball, a winger should run toward the back post, aiming to get goal scoring opportunities when the cross clears everybody.
