Position #6 The Holding or Defensive Midfielder

When I first began coaching soccer 20 years ago I learned the basics of a 4-3-3 formation from the local high school coach.  I conscientiously took copious notes and recently came across them while searching for other documents. Times have certainly changed. The high school program still has the same coach but their formation has gone from 4-3-3 to 4-4-2 and back to 4-3-3 over those 20 years.  The word Libero lept off the page at me along with brief comments about needing to put your best player in the center of the formation and therefore the center of the field.

Now, I know today that libero refers to a sweeper and I identify the position with German great Franz Beckenbauer. Back in the day I thought of the libero as more of the stopper or holding midfielder in the 4-3-3 tasked with disrupting the opponents attack and rhythm of play. The advent of the modern offside rule has seen man marking systems give way to zonal defending and hybrid systems. The sweeper position of Beckenbauer's era is all but gone with the role of the libero shifting to the defensive or holding midfielder.

In today's game the backs in zonal systems share the workload of Beckenbauer's libero in covering deep for one another. It actually is the holding mid or defensive mid that is tasked with a proactive sweeping of opposition breakthroughs as they patrol in front of center backs "protecting" against the generation of through balls on the ground or in the air as well as against long shots being taken. In this sense they are free or libero.

In bringing together players from multiple high schools and differing systems one challenge I face is in defining positions in a manner all can understand. Understandably every coach and system have their own terminology. I suppose I compound the problem even as I attempt to simplify things for the players on my club team.  For our purposes the holding midfielder is designated as position #6 and tasked as follows:

The primary responsibilities of the holding midfielder are to protect the center defenders and to be the link between the backs and the attackers. He will serve as a pivot when the team wants to switch the point of attack. 

This player will remain central most of the time. He must read the movement of his attackers recognizing when his centralized support role is redundant thereby opening opportunity for him to move into the attack himself. 

When the goalkeeper is in possession of the ball they must present the initial penetration option.  Because this option presents itself centrally he must realize it is more often than not a decoy option, a very important decoy option as he occupies defenders allowing other options to be open. 

More importantly the Holding Midfielder becomes a prominent option to the player who receives the goalkeeper’s distributions.  He must always make himself available and present himself for the ball.  

The Holding Midfielders first option is always to look to make a penetrating pass or facilitate a penetrating combination pass sequence playing a teammate forward. 
    

The second option is to switch the field of attack. The Holding Midfielder is both an anchor and a pivot player. It may help to consider him as a linking player. Consider the pivot player role as one that links wide players on one side of the field to wide players on the other side of the field. 

The third option is to play the ball back to a supporting player, either a defender or the goalkeeper.

Clearly, just as it was in Beckenbauer's day, the position calls for one of the teams best overall players.  It demands the ball hawking presence of football's  "free safety" or baseball's "center fielder" be combined with the traditional facilitator responsibility of basketball's "point guard". It is a demanding role to be sure requiring an ability to read the game from both defensive and attacking perspectives. In many regards the Holding Midfielder is the linchpin of our system.  As such organization and communication skills are critical to effective play in this role.

Position #6 The Linking Midfielder in the 1-4-2-3-1 or 1-4-1-4-1

You will find two other articles on this site dealing with the #6 position.  This is appropriate and fitting as in today's game this is arguably the most important position on the pitch.  In the past the position has been described as a defensive midfielder or a holding midfielder.  We have begun calling it the Linking Midfielder.

The Linking Midfielder must be technically proficient and capable of playing with an extreme economy and efficiency of touches. One or two touch play is often the norm. The quality of those touches is vitally important as the linking midfielder must be able to distribute the ball with great accuracy.

Tactically the linking midfielder is a screening player in front of the center backs when his team is without the ball. He should be the teams organizer and communicator. There must be a deep understanding of the different types of defending as they apply to each positional unit and when, where and how to apply or direct application of pressure on the ball. 

In the transitional phase of moving from defending to attack it is critical that he possess an understanding of the teams system of play and be a 360 degree player.. He must be able and willing to properly prepare to play the ball at all times while actively seeking the ball. The linking midfielder must possess great game intelligence and a high quality of decision making ability. Creating and changing the rhythm or tempo of the game and understanding when it is necessary to do so are critical weapons for the linking midfielder's repertoire. Distribution or passing skills must be among the very best on the team.

From a physical standpoint the linking midfielder must demonstrate coordination with and without the ball. He should be agile and possess the ability to change pace effectively. He needs to possess strength on the ball and a willingness to challenge opponents in all three phases of the game.

It is the psychological aspects of the linking midfielder that really define the position. Because he is the hub of the team wheel, a 360 degree layer, he must be disciplined, responsible and very poised.  The degree of calmness and confidence that he plays with will go a long ways to determining that of his team as well.  He must be emotionally stable - never to high, never too low - and remain even keeled whether the game be tied or he finds his team winning or losing. Composure is of the utmost importance.  With the goalkeeper, the linking mid is the teams authority on the pitch - an extension of the coach.

Putting it all together.

The primary responsibilities for the linking midfielder are to protect the center backs and to be a link between the backs and the attackers. In this sense he must be a pivot or 360 degree player. Establishing the teams pace and the games rhythm are critical elements of the linking midfielders responsibilities. This occurs on both sides of the ball and in all phases of the game.

Because the linking midfielder will remain centrally located on the pitch and within his teams shape a majority of time he must be able to play competently and confidently facing in any direction. Game intelligence and awareness are essential to his ability to communicate with teammates, organize team shape and direct both the defending and attacking play.

My team refers to the linking midfielder as the Michael Bradley role. Given Bradley's move to an attacking midfielder position in the World Cup this is a bit misleading now, but the idea remains the same.  In defending the LM plays advanced of and between the center backs in a protective screening manner. In the attack he often plays between the center backs presenting a back three and allowing the outside defenders to move into the attack. However, he makes calculated and dangerous runs forward to become directly involved in the attacking phase via his distributions or shots on goal.

For more on the Linking Midfielder and his role in the modern game please see Position #6 the Holding or Defensive Midfielder  and Evolution in Soccer - the Linking Midfielder.  

 

 

Evolution in Soccer - the Linking Mid

In camp settings I strive to impress upon players and coaches alike that soccer is a living breathing entity. As such, the game is constantly changing. The easiest way to depict this is to note how the diamond stopper / sweeper system has faded away with the advent of zonal defending concepts.  Yet even as you read this the standard zonal systems are being solved - the game is further evolving.

Teams that played a zonal back four utilized the backs to execute changes of field and often did so with little pressure from opposing forwards. That is, until it was discovered that two, and at times one, opposing forward could disrupt this process. This especially holds true when the outside backs are played advanced in a bowl configuration.

In this regard we have witnessed a zonal back four and the then standard 4-4-2 formation devolve back to 4-3-3 and then evolve into hybrid 4-2-3-1 and 4-1-4-1 formations.  Triangle, diamond and box midfields have once again become the norm.  It is within the triangle and diamond midfields in particular that the Linking Midfielder role has been (re)established. 

The term "linking midfielder" might be new to you but I hardly think I have coined a new descriptive term.  This is a defensive mid or holding mid with a more specifically (and broader) role defined.  In many ways it is the re-emergence of the Stopper role.  Defensively the Linking Mid is charged with protecting the back line and the specifically the center backs.  The attacking role for the Linking Mid is as the name infers - to link the back four with the midfielders and forwards.  Distributing the ball, changing field and playing teammates in is a critical role for the position. So too is the ability to make foraging runs into the attack. 

My teams often refer to this position as the Michael Bradley role.  This is true when Bradley is deployed as the defensive or linking mid.  He "sits" in an advanced position between the center backs and is used to split the afore mentioned opposing forward(s) who would otherwise disrupt the backs ability to move the ball laterally across the back.  By doing so, the back line can continue to function in a forward bowl shape instead of being forced to withdraw the outside backs to provide the depth necessary to defeat the opposing forwards pressure. The linking mid creates a 5 vs 2 (or 3) situation in your favor. 

In some ways delegating 5 players to defeat one, two or three might seem a waste of resources, but the linking mid allows the outside backs to come forward and that is the key to creating numbers up situations for your team to exploit in the attack.

This is the key to understanding how soccer evolves - Deployment of resources seeks to create numbers up advantages.  The zonal four has had numerical advantages in defending for some time now.  This created a real need to get more players forward into the attack. The solution has been to use outside backs to come forward. This can create even numbers for attacking and even give the attackers a man advantage dependent on the manner and timing of deploying the outside back.

The next phase of evolution?  Given many teams are going to one traditional forward combining with a false nine I would suspect there could be a move to playing a back 3 instead of a back four.  This is not a huge leap if we consider the current bowl configuration of back lines which might be better depicted as 2-3-4-1 or 2-4-3-1 formations.  The strength remains down the spine of the pitch and I do not foresee that ever changing.  The goals are located along the central spine after all.

Combining Articles.

I am reposting this article as it contains links to three separate yet related articles whose importance will be magnified as we approach the "spring" season that begins in a months time.  Lesson's learned are important and can be keys to our future success.

*****

I recently wrote and posted three articles that now relate well to one another. There was no intent for this to come about, but it has occurred to me that this is exactly what has happened..

Teamwork

What position do you play?

The view from the parent's sideline.


In Teamwork I wrote of how defending and passing are two ways to win over teammates new or familiar.  In What position do you play? the focus was on playing wherever your team needed you to play. And in The view from the parent's sideline I celebrated an extraordinary tournament my youngest son enjoyed last weekend.

While enjoying a soak in the hot tub I found my mind drifting to recent events on the pitch when it struck me that Lance had followed the exact recipe for success laid out in the first two articles. As a guest player the team needed him to play as a defensive midfielder, a position he does not spend much time in on a regular basis.  In The view from the parents sideline I marvel at the fact Lance factored in 11 of the 13 goals his guest team scored in winning the tournament title.  He scored the first goal of the tournament which turned out to be the game winning goal in the first game.  It was a blast from about 30 yards out. That goal made Lance legitimate in his new teammates eyes.  The funny thing is Lance only took maybe 1 shot per game after that.  He settled into holding the midfield (defending) which protected the 4 backs and distributing the ball (passing)  that allowed the front 5 to score the goals.  10 assists in 4 games.  His guest coach told Lance "we don't win this tournament without you."  High praise indeed for someone playing a supporting role in an unfamiliar position, but that is the point afterall.

I am embarassed to admit that during the tournament I was wondering why Lance was not more assertive in taking shots.  He made some penetrating runs with and without the ball but seemed to pass on some good looks at goal. In hindsight I now realize Lance deferred to his new teammates to score - a selfless act... and a brilliant one as well.

I have wondered if Lance was reading this blog.  Maybe he did or perhaps he just figured things out on his own? I still don't know for sure, but am proud of his deportment even more so than his production and the team's results. He figured it all out at a younger age than I did.  Well done!

The view from the parents sideline.

Had the all too rare honor and privilege to watch my son Lance play from the parents sideline. I'm usually watching him play as a coach and trust me when I say the two perspectives are vastly different. Lance guest played for league rival ISC Storm in the Mayfest tournament and I thoroughly enjoyed myself watching him play as a parent / fan instead of as a coach.

For his high school team Lance plays right back and center mid. For our club team he has played almost exclusively as a right back. It was good to see him play almost exclusively as a center midfielder this weekend and despite being a bit rusty in the role, he played very well. His distributions from the center midfield position resulted in 10 assists on the teams 13 goals for the weekend. The calculated and well-timed runs he made from his center midfield position resulted in his scoring a game-winning goal! An astounding statistic.  Yeah, I'm proud of what he accomplished. ;)

I learned quite a bit watching Terry Paulus, the ISC Storm coach manage my son.  Lance played a lot of minutes until results of game were secured. I'm not entirely sure how much instruction Lance received about how to play center midfield within their system, but he settled in as the defensive center mid / pivot player from where he could change the point of attack, distribute to forwards / wings and make runs into the box.  It is a very dynamic role and within our own team system what I consider to be the most important position to be effectively manned.  Providing a protective presence in front of the backs while also being the key facilitator on offense is not an easy task. Great job Lance!

The ISC Storm play a far more direct game than our own team likes to play. I loathe straightline kick and run soccer but must admit Lance's service to the forwards this weekend reminded me of how effective a tactic it can be when the "kick" part is accurate effective service rather than just "whacking the ball forward."  In the finals Lance had 3 assists in the first 12 minutes and the game was pretty much over at that point. Our club team lacks that type of dynamic distributor and this may lead to Lance playng more in the center midfield as we close out the season.

I actually thought our team had someone who could fill that role for us, but his heart is in a different position. One thing I know and appreciate as a goalkeeper coach is the neccessity of having a passion for the position. If a player does not embrace the position, you might as well not play him there. Last spring our team had a number of players asked to play out of position and most did not embrace the roles they were asked to play. This neccessitated changes in the roster for this spring to match roles with players that embraced playing them.  We still have a couple of players "playing out of position", but most of the players have embraced the positions they have been asked to play and the  roles they have been asked to fill. They have made personal sacrifices for the good of the team.  As a coach, I value this dearly. It is, in part, what differentiates decent teams to elevate their collective games and become great teams.

New friend Cathy Rau also introduced a new-to-me phrase describing the parents sidelines - she calls it the "expert side."  This was applied mostly in reference to the referees but is also applicable to coaching I would think.  It's is actually a very apt description as every parent seems to believe they know more than the trained and licensed officials... and often times more than the coaches as well. We were quite fortunate to have one of the best officials around in Mr. Greg Reynolds for two of the matches this weekend. Mr. Reynolds does an outstanding job of communicating to players on the pitch often using his voice to control the game when others would resort to excessive whistles and cards.  I have always apprciated  Mr. Reynolds officiating from the coaching sideline, but do so even more having watched him facilitate the game from the perspective of the parents sidelines.

Perhaps the most interesting thing this weekend was watching a team grow together and mature right before our eyes.  Their first game they played well. The guest players assimulated well and the team as a whole not only accepted them but embraced them. The second game saw the relationship between team and guest players struggle a little bit as everyone let their guard down, so to speak. Passes just missed and timing was not nearly as efficient as it had been in the first game. Growing pains in the relationship.  The third game was a really solid showing and the champonship game was a dominating performance.  Everything was clicking early and often. I know this, ISC Storm this Monday morning is not the same ISC Storm team we defeated twice in the last two weeks. They have improved significantly. The guest players were a part of that for sure, but even when they were not in the game the improved team play was obvious.

So, Congratulations to the ISC Storm U16B 2013 Mayfest Champions!  We will see you in a couple of weeks at the Creek Classic. I sincerely hope our own team continues to improve at a similar rate. Should be a great matchup. Thanks for a great weekend!