Soccer coaching tips on creating a good midfielder
When some of the top clubs across the world are all looking for midfield generals it gives you a clue about how influential they can be to the performance of a team.
But a good one costs about $60m so they won't be coming out of petty cash! The best thing you can do is create your own. I use this game to find out which of my players will make the best all-round, strong midfielder – and save my club a bit of money in the process.
How to set it up
- Mark out a circular pitch that is 30 yards in diameter (use markers or cones if necessary).
- Place four goals at equal distances around the circle so that each goal is opposite another.
- Use four teams of four players.
- One player from each team starts on the pitch.
The rules
- Each team has four lives.
- Pass a ball onto the pitch to start the game.
- The object is to score in any other team's goal.
- Any player who concedes a goal is ejected from the game, his team loses a life, and a team mate comes in to replace him.
- The winner is the last team with a player left on the pitch.
Why this game works
First and foremost, this is a simple game that needs players to be able to switch from attack to defence quickly and effectively. Speed of thought is also essential, but the biggest benefit is in giving players the realisation that they have many options around them in the circle.
Here, they’re offered three goals in which they can score (or, if they are so minded, one goal to defend), but transfer the habits learned here into match situations and you’ll find players open up to passing options that are more plentiful and, most likely, more ambitious too.
This session originally appeared in Soccer Coach Weekly.
For more soccer coaching tips and products visit Soccer Coaching Club.
Soccer coaching tips
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