February18February 18, 2011

Coaching the Coaches, Rehan Mirza on ‘Movement in Midfield’

By In
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By Rehan Mirza, UEFA B licence and Coach, Centre of Excellence, Notts County FC

The following are drills designed by Paul Bracewell based on the movement in a midfield 3.

At international level, creating space as individuals, or as a specific midfield unit, is becoming increasingly difficult against well-organised sides. The themes behind the following three practices are quite simple. Can we develop the capacity for players to create space for themselves and then move in combination with team mates (rotation) to free themselves from opposition marking.

By introducing the players to specific practices and then linking these practices together, coaches can help players to develop an appreciation and understanding of how best to work as a unit to effectively create and exploit space.

The following practices are used with international youth players to develop this understanding of midfield movement.

PRACTICE 1

In an area 30 m x 20 m, the practice should contain 3 v 3 in the middle area. Servers at each end (T1 and T2) are placed at the end of an area 5 metres away from the 3 v 3 area.

F players are ‘floaters’ who can move up and down the outside of the area and have no restriction on the amount of touches. (NB: The Coach should encourage realistic play so that the practice

operates at a good tempo.)

Start of Practice

  1. T1 to serve to O4
  2. T1 to serve to O8 or O10

Aim of Practice

To get ball to T2.

Key Coaching Points

  1. Movement of individuals to create space (O4)
  2. Movement of individuals to create space (O8 or O10)
  3. Movement of Unit (O4, O8 or O10) Rotation principles.

Comment

Internationally, England have been playing a 4-3-3 system. The system typically works with one holding player (O4) and two more advanced players (O8 or O10). Quite often the opposition match our three players with equal numbers and essentially you have a 3 v 3 match up in a given midfield area.

The practice shows a server (T1) who would typically be one of the centre backs looking to serve the ball into a midfield area.

Often the three midfield players need to be able to create space effectively by themselves but also as a unit of three. Internationally, we try to promote the principle of rotation to counteract tight man for man marking. The practice shown allows both individual and unit coaching to take place.

PRACTICE 2

Organization

The practice to take place in a coned area – from the penalty area to the halfway line and beyond.

There are three target areas – A, B and C.

Start of Practice

  1. GK to start by playing ball out to 5 or 6 or 4
  2. GK to start to any player

Aim of Practice

To have one of your players running out with the ball under control through gates A, B or C. More specifically, to encourage forward running and movement from midfield players beyond front  player.

Key Coaching Points

  1. 5 and 6 to split wide towards edge of penalty area and receive ball.
  2. Creation of space by individuals and unit 4, 8 and 10 – Rotation
  3. Encourage forward pass into 9 and support angles from 8 and 10. Support in front and behind.
  4. Encourage exchange of positions between 9 and midfield players. Exploitation of space behind 9 into wide and central areas.

Comment

Typically, at International level, defenders will be comfortable marking strikers man to man. Following Rotation or movement to enable the midfield unit to have comfortable possession of the ball, we would be encouraging our central striker to combine with our midfield unit.

PRACTICE 3

Organization

Full Pitch – 11 v 11

Start of Practice

  1. Any delivery into the GK so he can start with the ball. GK to deliver to 5 or 6 or 4
  2. GK to deliver ball to 2 or 3

Aim of Practice

To transfer the individual and unit movements into a full match situation. Also, to highlight  movement principles when the ball is in wide areas (2 and 3) and to highlight the potential for exchange of positions for players 8 and 10 with 7 and 11 into wide areas.

Key Coaching Points

  1. For central start with 5, 6 or 4 as previous Key Coaching Points
  2. For wide area starts (with 2 or 3) (see Practice 2)
  • Midfield unit movement (4, 8, 10): Is support required when ball is with 2?
  • 2 decides to play the ball into front area. Coach appropriate decisions and movements for 7, 8, 9, 10, 11. Encourage exchange of positions 7 + 8, 8 + 9 and if from 3 position 10 + 11, 10 + 9

Decision making of midfield and front players is dependent upon defenders’ movements.