By Mike Smith
Over the years, I have been fortunate enough to coach a few players who I just wanted involved in every play and touch on the ball. Unlike the specialized players like lock down defenders or natural goal scorers or wing players who could always hit the right cross given time and space….. these players were just good at supporting every aspect of play – defense, transition, possession and attack. However, in a world of triangles and diamonds and squares, etc… players sometimes feel “locked in “ positionally and while no player can be everywhere all the time, freeing one or two up from the triangles and diamonds can have a positive impact on your team’s play. I just always asked these players to run a circle in the middle of the formation, and as long as the other players understood the concept, it worked. Here is how it is done:
Let’s assume the right mid is the player we want everywhere and on the ball as much as possible. From the right mid position in a 4-4-2 this player can connect with most of their team mates but is isolated on the right side of the formation. ( below )
It may seem like an over simplified idea, but by designating the right mid as the player who should roam the entire center of the formation in a circle, things open up. As shown below with just a small drop back, the right mid can now connect with all the players on the team and can impact all sides and lines of the formation.
The additional two diagrams show the extent to which the field is opened up to the right mid by adding the concept of the circling run. This does require the center mid to act more as a holding mid at times but an experienced group will quickly understand how to cover each other and switch between the circling and holding roles, giving even more flexibility here.
If you have one or more of those players who can do it all, try teaching them to run this circle. When the ball is up on the forward line, they will be there, on the right, left, center, back – it’s a lot of ground to cover but with time and practice, they will learn to almost be everywhere. Try this passing drill to help identify , build and implement the players and concept into your system.
Set Up
Build a 4 section grid around the center circle using 15yd x 15yd sections ( as shown below ). Place an attacker in the center circle and one in each grid for a total of 5. The attackers must stay in their grids, the attacker in the center must stay in the center circle. 4 defenders can go where ever they like inside the entire grid. An additional attacker in red simulates the circle run. Play starts with the attacking team attempting to have every member make a pass TO the attacker in red. For example, ( shown below ) two wide players combine to hit the attacker in red coming down to the corner of the circle and the mid line.
The player in red may now combine with the attacker in the circle or hit an additional wide attacker. As the goal is for every attacker to make a pass to the attacker in red, the attacker in red should end up with the ball at the completion of the cycle. IF the defenders get the ball, they should try to possess it. The attacking team may break position to win the ball back with in 10 seconds. If they are able to win it back, they must get back in their grids, if not, the defenders pick attackers to switch out with. The attacker in red is the only player who does not switch.
Progression
This is a great warm up and can be progressed by adding defenders or additional attackers who work outside the grids at the top, bottom or sides to simulate forwards, defenders or wings.
Coaching Points
The only real goal is to make sure the attacker in red is moving around the holding mid to support all aspects of play. It is also critical the roaming attacker combine with the holding mid as this will create almost constant numbers up scenarios in a match.
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.
