Mastering the Soccer Midfield Position

A midfielder plays one of the most demanding and dynamic positions in soccer. Positioned primarily in the center of the field, midfielders need skill sets for offense and defense. They’re called upon to make tackles and intercept passes on defense and set up attackers for scoring opportunities on offense.

Midfielders travel farther than other soccer positions, moving up and down the field for defensive and offensive purposes. It takes great stamina, strength, and situational awareness to be a midfielder.

Let’s take an in-depth look at the different types of midfielders, their roles, and the skills they need to be successful.

Types of Midfielders

Most midfielders have a mixture of defensive and offensive roles. Below is a description of the types of midfielders and their roles and responsibilities.

Defensive Midfielder: Defensive midfielders or the central defensive midfielder prioritize stopping their opponent’s attacks. They’re sometimes called the “holding midfielder” because it’s their job to keep the ball away from their goal. Defensive midfielders must be good tacklers, they should have exceptional ball awareness, they should support their other defenders, and they should be good communicators. Sometimes, they’ll have to assist with attacks but most of their duties revolve around stopping their opponents near the center line.
Central Midfielders: Central midfielders are a critical connection between the offense and defense. Their territory is the outside part of the midfield. Typically, there are at least 2 central midfielders. Depending on the player’s skill set and the game strategy, a central midfielder can be more offense or defense oriented. A central midfielder must have all the basic defensive skills like tackling and intercepting, but they also should be good passers and dribblers. A good central midfielder can help control the tempo of the game. A central midfielder is a playmaker for offense and defense. They can score but can also shut down an attack with a tackle or an interception. Central midfielder is one of the hardest positions in soccer to play.
Attacking Midfielder: Attacking midfielders focus on offense. They typically have freedom to move around the field, looking for space on their opponent’s side of the field to create plays for themselves or to set their teammates up for scores. In certain situations, attacking midfielders will help on defense. Attacking midfielders have a high profile. They must embrace pressure and be skilled with the soccer ball.
Wingers: Wingers typically provide offensive support. They’re usually lined up on the left or right sideline in the field’s attacking area. A winger’s primary responsibility is to support the forwards. They must be good passers and dribblers. Wingers often pass the ball to attackers in the crossing area. Some wingers also cut inside to take shots or receive passes. Wingers must also be ready to drop back and help with the defense when their opponent attacks.
Box-to-Box Midfielders: A box-to-box midfielder operates equally between the offensive and defensive sides of the field. They typically cover more territory than other midfielders. They must be able to make tackles and intercept passes on defense. Offensively, they’re a consistent scoring threat as well as a good ball handler and passer. Box-to-box midfielders have great energy and stamina. They have the most balanced role of all the midfielders.

How to Excel as a Midfielder

Midfielders must possess a full range of soccer skills. That includes dribbling, passing, tackling, field vision, and more. Here are skills that all midfielders should possess:

Vision & Anticipation: Midfielders play with their head up, always surveying the play and looking for gaps and openings in play. They must learn to read the game to dictate the direction and pace, and think ahead about where to move. Being a midfielder is not only about attacking, but also about defending and winning the ball back.
Awareness & Positioning: Midfielders maintain tactical awareness. You should always be moving to make yourself available to receive the ball. Keep an eye on both the opponent and your teammates and create space for your teammates.
Communication: Midfielders must be able to communicate with their teammates regularly.
Technical Skills: A midfielder must be a strong dribbler and have excellent passing skills and good range. They should be able to play with both feet and their touch must be impeccable to maintain possession and control, especially under pressure. Midfielders should be able to shoot and cross the ball consistently.

Below are 5 individual drills that you can do to help you become a better midfielder:

Dribbling Drill: Place 2 cones on the field about 10 feet apart in a straight line. Move the ball quickly from cone to cone using the outside of your foot. Make sure you keep the ball close to your body. Touch the ball on every step. Your turns should be crisp and sharp. Perform 10 repetitions.
Triangle Dribble Drill: Line 3 cones up about 10 feet apart in a triangle. Dribble to each cone. Turn at each cone but make sure your body is between the ball and the cone. This helps you protect the ball. Make sure you dribble with both your right and left foot. Perform 10 repetitions.
Crisscross Dribble Drill: Set up 2 lines. One line should have 3 cones in it and the other line 2 cones. There should be about 3 feet between the cones and about 6 feet between the lines. Move up and down the line between the cones using the inside and outside of your foot. Work on accuracy, speed, control, and your body movements for this drill. Repeat it 10 times.
Juggling and Dribbling: Using 8 cones, create 2 boxes. The cones on the inside square are about 12 feet apart and the outside square is the same dimensions but it’s about 9 feet away from the inside square. Starting in the middle, juggle the ball and then kick it above your head. On its way down, kick the ball toward one of the outside cones. Retrieve the ball and start over again, changing directions each time you begin. This drill helps you work on starting and stopping and changing directions during matches. Repeat it 5 times.
Dribbling Mastery Skill: Place 4 cones down in a square about 9 feet apart. In this drill, you start by moving forward toward the first cone, using the top of your foot to move the ball. At the next cone, move laterally with the ball using the inside of your foot. For the 3^rd cone, move backward with your foot on top of the ball. Move laterally again for the 4^th cone. Repeat this drill 5 times.

Mastering the midfield position takes years of practice and experience. With hard work, focus, and discipline, you can learn to play one of the most exciting and challenging positions in soccer. Your development depends on your commitment to embracing and learning the skills that midfielders need to succeed.