Play / Positions / Holding midfielder
Six weeks as a holding midfielder
The holding midfielder screens the defence and keeps the ball moving. These weeks build scanning, then receiving under pressure, then winning the ball back.
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
Look before you get it
Check over your shoulder before every pass arrives.
- On your ownReceiving on the half-turnTen minutes, most days.
- With a friendReceive on the half-turn12 minutes. You and a friend.
- In a matchBeat the pressPlay it through as your position.
You have got it when A friend counts your looks: at least two before each pass reaches you.
Week two
Always available
Move so the defender on the ball can always pass to you.
- With the teamRondo: 4 against 112 minutes. Groups of 5.
- In a matchBeat the pressPlay it through as your position.
- The idea behind itPlay out from the backWhat the whole team is doing.
You have got it when In a rondo, you are never hidden behind a defender.
Week three
Keep it moving
Two touches: one to set it, one to pass.
- On your ownThe inside-foot passTen minutes, most days.
- With the teamRondo: 5 against 212 minutes. Groups of 7.
- 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 You can play twenty passes in a 5v2 without losing it.
Week four
Screen the back line
Stand between the ball and their striker to block the pass.
- With the teamDefend the gate12 minutes. Pairs, any number.
- In a matchPress togetherPlay it through as your position.
- The idea behind itPress with a cover shadowWhat the whole team is doing.
You have got it when Their striker gets the ball less often with their back to goal.
Week five
Win it back
Press in the first five seconds after we lose it.
- With the teamAttack, then defend: waves15 minutes. 9 to 14, plus 2 goalkeepers.
- In a matchWe have just lost itPlay it through as your position.
- The idea behind itWin it straight backWhat the whole team is doing.
You have got it when You are the first to react when we lose the ball.
Week six
Start the counter
When we win it, look forward first.
- With the team3v2 to goal15 minutes. 6 to 12, plus a goalkeeper.
- In a matchWe have just won itPlay it through as your position.
- The idea behind itThe counter-attackWhat the whole team is doing.
You have got it when Your first pass after a turnover goes forward when it is on.
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 holding midfielder guide Next: six weeks as a central midfielder
Practise in a safe space with an adult nearby, and warm up first. If anything hurts, stop.