By Mike Smith
“Real” soccer for me develops through the midfield. What I mean by “real” are the aspects which make the game beautiful and allow teams to impose their will consistently on their opponent. Now, it is possible to pack the defensive third with 8 or 9 guys and call a few of them midfielders, but in reality they are all defending for their lives until their one star striker can break away and try to steal a win( I have been guilty of playing this way when over matched in win or go home tournament games). However, from a development standpoint, coaches owe it to their players to instill a more mid field based mentality, which when consistently applied will provide strong defense, aggressive attack and the ability to possess the ball : in effect, control the game.
Here are a few key ideas I have used successfully to teach players the basics of how midfielders should move around the ball. Below, an outside defender has come away with the ball. Ideally, 4 midfielders should provide the noted options at all times – Wide Outlet, Close (square ) Support, a Check In to pivot play and a Check In / Out to switch play. Pivoting play swings play between the left , right and center where as switching play takes the game directly from the left to the right, both are important and while a switch can be done directly, having a pivot point makes switching easier and less predictable.
Below, the close supporting midfielder has the ball and now there is one less option available to the midfielders as far as supporting positions. In this case, for me, the check down should be Close ( square ) Support, Check In to Pivot and Check In / Out to Switch. When a midfielder has the ball, someone from the defensive or forward lines can / should provide additional width.
Finally ( below ), the forward has the ball so the midfielders re assume the responsibility for providing some width and the progression continues.
A good group of 4 midfielders who constantly take up these supporting positions around the ball will provide a team with consistent possession and attacking options. Note below how the forward can now easily connect with an open defender, who then can easily connect to several dangerous situations for the defending side. IF a defending midfielder steps toward the open outside attacking back, then the play through the midfield is there for the possessing side.
Try this activity at practice to get your midfielders thinking about these supporting runs:
Set Up
Set up a 30 x 30 cone grid as shown. 5 possession players ( yellow ) pass the ball with in the grid against 3 defending players. Attacking players “score” for every 15 consecutive passes, defending players for every 6 consecutive passes. The diagram shows the various passing options based on the supporting runs, the challenge will be to flow in and out of these under some pressure. Add defenders as needed. Adding an additional attacker and scoring on splits is a good progression.
Coaching Points
The coach should make sure the players are moving to support the ball in each of the 4 ways listed at all times – Close Support, Wide Outlet, Check in to Pivot, Check in to Switch.
By Mike Smith
Currently the Head Coach for University Heights Academy Boys Soccer in Hopkinsville, KY , Mike is in his 14th year as a high school head coach with 23 years coaching experience overall and 34 year as a student and fan of the game. He holds a USSF D License.
