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En Español
Training the Central Midfielder (Part 1 of 4)
From the Sept. 29, 2004, issue of The Technical Area
by Roland Loy, German A-License
(Courtesy of Success in Soccer)

This is Part 1 in a four-part series that will focus on training central midfield players.  Part 1 will deal with defensive exercises, part 2 will focus on building the attack, part three will address passing to the front runners, while the fourth and final installment will concentrate on shooting.
 
1. 1 v. 1 DEFENSE

Set Up
• Three 3 v. 3s on small goals take place simultaneously on three separate fields.
• The midfielder starts out between the fields.
• Have extra balls ready at each goal.

Sequence 
• The midfielder runs into one of the fields where his teammates are not in possession of the ball, where he tries to win the ball quickly by creating a 4 v. 3 situation.
• After winning the ball, the midfielder switches at top speed to another field where the opposition has the ball.
• The round is over when the midfielder has helped his teammates win the ball in all three fields.

Objectives 
• Winning the ball quickly by outnumbering opponents around it
• Identifying situations quickly

 

2. GOING AFTER A DRIBBLING OPPONENT

Set Up
• One midfielder plays against two defenders on a small goal on the endline.
• The defenders have two teammates 15 yards to the right and left of the small goal.
• Two more small goals stand on the opposite endline, about 30 yards apart.

Sequence
•Each play starts with the midfielder and defenders playing 1 v. 2 on the small goal.
• If the defenders win the ball, they immediately bring one of their two teammates into play, and that player starts a solo attack on one of the two counter attack goals.
• The midfielder goes after the attacker and tries to stop him from dribbling across the goal line.

Objectives
• Switching quickly to defense and pursuing opponents
• Skillful 1 v. 1 play against a dribbler


 
3. STOPPING A DRIBBLER

Set up
• The coach stands behind three small goals. 
• The midfielder takes a position in front of the goals, facing away from the coach. 
• The remaining players have one ball each and divide into three groups of equal size.
• Each group lines up facing a goal, about 25 yards away.

Sequence
• The coach points to one group, giving the first player in that group the signal to start dribbling toward the goal opposite. 
• The midfielder reacts as quickly as possible, moving to the appropriate side to stop the attacker and using skillful 1 v. 1 play to keep him from dribbling across the goal line.
• If the midfielder wins the ball, the coach gives the next signal.

Objectives
• Moving quickly to the ball
• stopping opponents and initiating 1 v. 1s at high speed


4. INTERCEPTING PASSES AND INTERFERING WITH BALL CONTROL

Set up
• The coach stands behind three small goals.
• Three more small goals stand about 25 yards away, with one attacker in front of each of them.
• The midfielder has a ball and stands just in front of the three attackers, opposite the coach.

Sequence
• The midfielder starts the play with a pass on the ground to the coach.
• The coach kicks a long pass to one of the three attackers (A, B, C), who starts an attack on one of the three goals in front of the coach.
• The midfielder's job is either to intercept the pass or to interfere with the subsequent attack. If he wins the ball, he has an opportunity to score on one of the other three goals.

Objectives
• Intercepting passes
• Interfering with an opponent's ball control
• 1 v. 1 play against a dribbler

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