Building through Midfield areas requires effective communication, decision-making and a high level of technical execution; this central area of the pitch is usually congested with many players resulting in restricted space / time. Players must learn to operate under these conditions of restricted space/time if they are to be successful both at the individual and team level.

The following activities emphasize scenarios where central players #6 / #8 / #10 are required to work as a unit to create opportunities to play forward. The session builds to include a Back-4 + Goalkeeper starting the play.

The session can be modified depending on the level and ability of your team – grids can be made larger / smaller, opponents can be increased / decreased as necessary.

1.

Setup:

Squad is split into 2 groups and positioned at 6 cones as shown. 2-3 Players are positioned at the perimeter cones (A,E,F,C); Central players at positions B + D (Red).

Instructions:

PASSING ROTATION WITH CENTRAL INTERPLAY:

Sequence: Play begins with a pass from Player A to B; B to C; C to D; D layoff short to B; B pass into the path of A; A switch the ball diagonally to Player F to repeat the sequence in the opposite direction.
One-touch passing should be used if possible.

Emphasis on the Inter-Play between the central players – angles / timing / direction / speed of movements.

4x2min: change Central Players each 2 minutes

Coaching Points:

• Central Players: Distances / Angles to receive passes and support teammates
• Inter-play between central D + B – game realistic; check to, check away, spin underneath to receive passes
• All players should use checking / opposite movements before moving to receive passes
• Timing of forward run by Player A – delay and arrive late
• Quality execution of passes

2.

Setup:

Approx. 35m x 25m, positioned in ‘game realistic’ area of the pitch.  Two groups of 3 outfield players + 2 Support/Target players.  Red team consists of the midfield players #6-8 and #10, #4 and #9 are neutral players (Striker + Central Defender) + positioned on each end-line.

Instructions:

POSSESSION – 3v3+2 (5v3): MIDFIELD PLAY

Player #4 starts the game for Red who must attempt to keep possession and pass the ball to #9 on the opposite end of the grid.

I successful, #9 must pass the ball back across the grid to #4, for play to continue.  If Defending team (Black) wins possession, they must try to pass to #9 who restarts the game with Black in possession and Red defending.

1 ‘goal’ is awarded for every completed sequence.

Play is continuous – 3-4 x 2 min

Coaching Points:

• Interplay between central 3 players – rotations, angles + distances of support to create passing options as well as space for teammates
• Decision-making: when to play 1-touch / 2-touch – ability to play in front quickly
• Moving into spaces behind opponents

3.

Setup:

35m x 25m central area remains; A Back-4 + GK is added for the Buildup team (Red) plus one Striker for Defensive team (S).

Instructions:

MIDFIELD PLAY IN RELATION TO BUILDING UP:

Play begins with a pass from the GK to any of the Back-4 (#2,3,4,5); they combine amongst each other until the opportunity arises to pass to one of the midfielders in the Central Grid (shaded).

The midfielders try to pass into one of the two small goals, using #9 as a ‘Target’ player.

If the Defensive team wins the ball, they try to pass the ball into the hands of GK.  Play starts with GK each time.

Coaching Points:

• Back-4 – look to play forward at earliest opportunity – no long passing sequences if possible
• Interplay between central 3 players – rotations, angles + distances of support to create passing options as well as space for teammates
• Decision-making: when to play 1-touch / 2-touch – ability to play in front quickly
• Moving into spaces behind opponents

4.

Setup:

9 v 9, normal rules apply. Formation (Red): 1-4-3-1. Formation (Black): 1-2-3-3.

Instructions:

MIDFIELD PLAY IN RELATION TO BUILDING UP:

Emphasis is on building up with Red team from Defensive to Midfield areas.

**Note: the activity can also be utilised to coach the Black team to build from Midfield Areas into Final-third.

Play is continuous

Coaching Points:

• Back-4 – look to play forward at earliest opportunity; maintain possession with numerical advantage (vs. front 3 of Black team)
• Interplay between central 3 players – rotations, angles + distances of support to create passing options as well as space for teammates – 3v3 in central area so opponent may deny space/time
• Decision-making: when to play 1-touch / 2-touch – ability to play in front quickly
• Moving into spaces behind opponents