As a youth player - I was physically limited. I was not overly fast, super-fit or considered athletic. I was however exceptionally technical and had a good tactical understanding of the game. I was also mentally strong. However, of course, there were parts of my game that were not good enough to allow me to reach a professional level. As I have continued to study the game as a coach, I have picked up new skills that I feel I did not learn growing up - emphasise on these key skills to stand out in midfield and become more effective for your team.
1. Checking Your Surroundings I am not going to call it checking your shoulder, that is a naïve term. There’s no point checking your shoulder if you forget to check what is in front of you. Scan the whole area, at least twice, including what’s behind you, before you receive the ball. In order for you to scan more than once, the first scan has to be so so early.
2. Disguise passes When you pick up the ball, especially in zones 3-6, look for 2 or 3 pass options, pick one and stick with that pass. Then shape up to play the pass to someone else, before wrapping it into that first option with disguise. Before this, you must communicate with the players in front of you so they understand your intentions.
3. Bounce, create angle, play forward or out When you go in to receive the ball from a centre half or full-back, if you have a man-on, you are very unlikely to be able to turn. You may do, if you possess the skill and knowledge on how in that particular situation. If you cannot turn, a quick way to get yourself turning the right way. Bounce the ball back, drop deeper and angled, spin and receive again in the few yards of space you have created.
4. Hit the strikers feet The best way to progress your team forward. Links in with number 2. Hit the disguise pass into your strikers feet, if he is willing to receive (he should be). This will allow him to set the ball back to a higher midfielder, or maybe he can spin his man and drive. The ball must have pace on. Even if its into his chest, play that ball forward and progress your team up the pitch.
5. Get forward and gamble If you are box to box or play as an attacking midfielder, you must get forward to get your fair share of goals. Goalscoring midfielders are a huge asset to any team. A simple way to get more goals – get forward as much as possible, make forward runs off the ball. Once you are in the box, run hard and attack the space, gamble on mistakes and the ball will drop.
6. Keep it simple Ball retention is vital. When you have the ball in defensive zones, find simple passes and play them. When your team is under pressure and you have just picked up the ball, secure at least three simple passes and move the ball into space, before you then start to build the attack as a team. Keeping it simple is vital for this. Move the ball to move the opposition.
7. Mix up your touches When receiving the ball, use both feet regularly. Be able to turn and play both ways. Use the inside and outside of your feet, work on delayed touches, to create an extra yard, and sometimes turn back to go forward, using your body as a shield. Other times, play one touch. Football is all about rhythm, and you have to change the rhythm to create attacking opportunities.
8. Speak to your forwards You must be on the same wave length with your team-mates. This means understanding how one another play. If you have a forward who is fast, you need to create triggers, so that when the forward comes toward you to show feet, he then spins in behind for the ball over the top. The trigger could be, as you shift onto your right foot to play to his feet, he spins.
9. Receive through lines and in pockets Float into spaces where you are not being followed by opponents, it may be in between the forwards and midfield, so deep, or higher up in between the midfield and defence. Use point 1, then see if you can drive forward to threaten the opposition, or play good passes forwards. If you master this you will always have time on the ball.
10. Follow the ball deeper and angled When the ball is progressed forward, make a conscious effort to support the ball, so if you are not beyond it, be slightly deeper, ready to receive the ball. If it comes back to you, try and keep the attacking momentum going by playing out wide or switching the play, and then supporting again. This is relevant for all midfielders.
11. Drive to commit and play
When receiving the ball with time and space, can you get your head up and see where your players are. Your intention is not to play the pass instantly, but to drive, commit opposition players to press you, then to have one more look before you play the pass. This should take your opponent out the game, leaving space for you to carry on your forward run and receive again.
Copyright Jake Chaplin. 2023
Comments