Controlling the midfield is essential in the game of soccer. Defensively it requires good marking, cutting off passing lanes and winning loose balls. Offensively it is important to keep possesion of the ball and create attacking opportunities. Being able to switch fields and change the point of attack relieves pressure and forces the defense to adjust often opening up opportunities.
A good way to learn how to do this is to play 6v4 in the midfield; 6 offenders vs 4 defenders.
Offense’s objective is to move the ball from side to side in a 40 yd by 70 grid (70 yd being an approximation of the width of the field).
In order to score offense must move the ball from one outside grid to the other tryin to get the ball wide and trying to relieve pressure when one side gets crowded.
Offense can earn 1 point for stringing 5 passes together and
3 points for completing three passes in the outside grid (the outside 15 yds of the total grid).
Once they get the hang of moving the ball side to side you can add different restrictions like 2 touch or “must complete a wall pass in the outside grid” – or – “must execute an overlap in the outside grid”.
Also you may want to only allow them to go back to the same outside grid if they have crossed the center axis of the field. This will allow them and/or teach them to not force play and to be creative with the movement of the ball.
Defensive objective; Steal ball and complete three passes, or escape the grid by dribbling or completing a pass. Maybe a better notion complete three passes and then dribble through a center goal. This teaches offense to recover quickly and to react on a turnover to win the ball back immediately keeping in mind they must protect the center of the field.
Midfield Play; Switching field of play
Soccer; 4v4
Taking care of business
Can you sleep in a storm?
An expert from Mitch Alboms book “Have a little Faith”.
From a Sermon by the Reb, 1975.
“A man seeks employment on a farm. He hands his letter of recommendation to his new employer. It reads simply, “He sleeps in a storm.”
The owner is desperate for help, so he hires the man. Several weeks pass and suddenly, in the middle of the night, a powerful storm rips through the valley. Awakened by the swirling rain and howling wind, the owner leaps out of bed. He calls for his new hired hand, but the man is sleeping soundly.
So he dashes off to the barn. He sees, to his amazement, that the animals are secure with plenty of feed. He runs out to the field. He sees the bales of wheat have been bound and are wrapped in tarpaulins. He races to the silo. The doors are latched, and the grain is dry.
My friends, if we tend to the things that are important in life, if we are right with those we love, and behave in line with our faith, our lives will not be cursed with the aching throb of unfulfilled business. Our words will always be sincere, our embraces will be tight. We will never wallow in the agony of ‘I could have, I should have’. We can sleep in a storm.
And when its time….”
