Play / Positions / Central midfielder
Six weeks as a central midfielder
Central midfielders link everything. These weeks build passing range, then turning, then arriving in the box.
Each week runs from on your own to with others to a real match moment. Move on when you can do the check at the end of the week, not before. Two weeks on one is fine.
Week one
Both feet
Pass with either foot without thinking about it.
- On your ownThe inside-foot passTen minutes, most days.
- Drill on your ownWall passes across the body10 minutes. Just you.
- In a matchGet past their midfieldPlay it through as your position.
You have got it when Fifty wall passes with your weaker foot, no misses.
Week two
Turn and face
Receive on the half-turn and face forward.
- On your ownReceiving on the half-turnTen minutes, most days.
- Drill on your ownTurn and go12 minutes. Just you.
- In a matchGet past their midfieldPlay it through as your position.
- The idea behind itFind the player between the linesWhat the whole team is doing.
You have got it when You can receive and play forward in two touches when there is space.
Week three
Third man
Pass and move to be the player who receives next.
- With the teamTriangle passing10 minutes. Groups of 3 or 4.
- In a matchGet past their midfieldPlay it through as your position.
- The idea behind itThe third-man runWhat the whole team is doing.
You have got it when After you pass, you are already moving for the return.
Week four
Switch it
Move the ball from one side to the other when the near side is crowded.
- On your ownStriking with the lacesTen minutes, most days.
- With the teamSwitch it18 minutes. 8 to 14.
- In a matchGo round themPlay it through as your position.
- The idea behind itSwitch the playWhat the whole team is doing.
You have got it when You see the far side before the ball arrives.
Week five
Arrive late
Run from deep into the box as the cross comes in.
- With the teamLow crosses and cut-backs15 minutes. 6 to 12, plus a goalkeeper.
- In a matchGo round themPlay it through as your position.
- The idea behind itFill the boxWhat the whole team is doing.
You have got it when You reach the edge of the box as the ball is cut back.
Week six
Press together
Go on the trigger, with the striker, not on your own.
- With the teamWin it high18 minutes. 8 to 14.
- In a matchPress togetherPlay it through as your position.
- The idea behind itPress on a triggerWhat the whole team is doing.
You have got it when You can name our triggers and you go on them.
After six weeks
Go back to week one and do the checks again. Then try a week from the position next to yours: a centre-back who knows a holding midfielder's job, or a winger who knows a full-back's, is the player coaches want.
Back to the central midfielder guide Next: six weeks as a attacking midfielder
Practise in a safe space with an adult nearby, and warm up first. If anything hurts, stop.