By Mike Smith
This year I have a player who I think will make a text book holding mid. He loves soccer and has played recreationally his whole life but this year ( his junior year of high school ) is his first season of real, organized, competitive play. However, he has worked his way into the starting line up and his competitive IQ may be the best on the team. In fact, not too long into my efforts to teach him the attributes of the holding mid he very respectfully asked – “ Coach, what am I “ holding” for?” This caused me to think – “ What a great question” and for me and this years team, the answer is three fold. First, when defending, make sure we do not leave any shooters unmarked at the edges of the 18.
Second, when attacking, push up far enough to be in range for deep follow up shots and / or to deny the opposition the chance to play out cleanly up the middle. Obviously there are others aspects of the position but this simple clarification helped him make a marked improvement in his play. Here is the idea:
In my case, I want the holding mid running across the face of the back line in a center rectangle. On attack, ( as shown above ), I want the holding mid looking for those chances to keep the pressure on or at least stop a quick counter before it starts. I love a deep shot here because even a miss guarantees there will be no quick counter and gives our guys a little time to get back and get organized on the goal kick. Obviously, a deep shot could also go in, deflect for a corner or cause a handling penalty. For me, being aggressive here is a better bet than trying to hold the ball and reset under the pressure of an oncoming back line.
The task in the defensive third is much the same, except for the pressure needs to be on those guys lurking to shoot just outside the 18. I actually ask my holding mid to either not mark, or leave their mark to apply this pressure and always be mindful of the gaps where a shot may be taken ( shown above ). After all, to answer the initial question – these 3 scenarios are exactly what my holding mid is “ holding for”. Try the drill below to give your holding mid some work on these 3 conditions.
Set Up
As shown above, 6 attackers with one designated holding mid ( shaded ) face 4 defenders and the keeper in a half field. Two additional defenders are placed in stick goals just over the half line. The holding mid simply supports play and “ holds” for the desired situations. Either run up and hit a deep shot from the play in the box, or deny the ball in to one of the two target players – who must stay in their goals. While more of an attack focused activity, the two stick goals help the holding mid recognize which gap is going to receive the ball. The keeper may play directly to the players in the stick goals however the ball must hit on the defending half before going in and counting as a goal. Hopefully the holding mid will deny this opportunity every time.
Progression
An additional defender can be added – if you have two players who are working as holding mids add one to the defending side and have them mind the gaps and deep shots. These players can switch between teams to get work on both ends.
Coaching Points
This drill is all about the holding mid. The coach should ensure good attacking and defending in the box to make sure the scenarios for deep shots and defending deep shots ( with the progression ) occur as this work will pay dividends in an actual 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.
