Attacking midfielder
Play in the pockets between their midfield and defence, and make the final pass or the goal.
Six-week programme for attacking midfielders
Where you stand
The same player, four different moments. Play it through and watch how the team's tactic moves you. You are the solid orange player; your teammates are orange rings.
Your job
What every coach will ask of you, whatever the tactic.
With the ball
- Find space between their lines, where nobody can mark you easily.
- Receive facing forward, then pass, dribble or shoot.
- Run beyond the striker when they hold the ball up.
Without it
- Press their holding midfielder, so they cannot pass forward.
- Drop into the midfield line when we defend deep.
When it changes hands
- When we lose it, press at once: you are usually closest to the ball.
- When we win it, get on the ball and play the forward pass quickly.
How tactics change your game
Your coach's tactic decides a lot of what you do. Here is the same position under different plans.
High press
You and the striker lead the press. Block the pass into their holding midfielder.
Low block
Drop into the midfield line. Stay ready to be the first pass when we win it.
Work it in
Look for the pass through, or a one-two, before you shoot.
Shoot early
If you can see the goal from the edge of the box, shoot. Keep it low.
Try it yourself: change the tactic in the team builder and tap your position to see your job change.
Roles in this position
Coaches ask for different versions of the same position. Know which one you are playing.
Number 10
Plays between their midfield and defence.
With the ball. Find space between their lines, receive facing forward, and pass, dribble or shoot.
Without. Press their holding midfielder, or drop into the midfield line.
Second striker
Runs beyond the striker into the box.
With the ball. Run past the striker into the box when they hold the ball up.
Without. Help the striker press.
Practise it in three steps
First the technique on your own, then the decisions in a small game, then the whole team's idea in the match.
Step 1 On your own
turning · 12 min · Just you
Turn and go
Dribble to a line, turn sharply, and accelerate away. Learn four turns: the inside hook, the outside hook, the drag back and the Cruyff.
shooting · 15 min · Just you, or with a friend in goal
Strike the corners
Push the ball out of your feet and strike it low into a corner. Accuracy first, then power.
ball mastery · 10 min · Just you
Ten-minute ball mastery
Five short moves, 45 seconds each with a 15 second rest, done twice. Thousands of touches in ten minutes, with both feet.
Step 2 In a small game
turning · 12 min · 4 to 10, plus a goalkeeper
Receive, turn and shoot
A striker receives with their back to goal, a defender behind. Turn and shoot, or lay it off and go again.
possession · 15 min · 11, or adapt to 3v3 with three
4v4 with three floaters
Two teams of four. Three floaters always play for the team with the ball, so it is 7 against 4 in possession. Find the free player, then switch the play.
Step 3 In the match
Skills to masterReceiving on the half-turn · Cruyff turn · body feint · Striking with the laces
What would you do?
Two quick ones for your position. Pick an answer, then see why.
Your match moments
Full moments where your position has a job: see it in a match, make the choice, then practise it.
- Get past their midfieldFind the gap between their lines and check your shoulder.
- We have just lost itIf you lost it, you press first. No stopping.
- Make a chance from the wingEdge of the box, for the cut-back that runs through.
- Press their goal kickMark their 6 tightly, goal side.
- A free kick near their boxOver the ball: roll it square, firmly, into the shooter's stride.
- Their keeper has itPick up their holding midfielder, goal side.
- The second ballBe ready to run in behind as soon as we win it.
- One down, time running outFar post.
Take it into your next match
Look for
- Where is the gap between their midfield and defence?
- Which way can I turn?
- Is the striker about to hold it up? Then I run past.
Your challenge. In your next match, try to receive three passes in the space between their midfield and defence, facing forward.
In your head
Creative players try things that do not always work. Keep trying: one pass can win a game.
For younger players
Under-11s play without offside, so the pocket is easier to find. Teach the idea of "between the lines" early.