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Soccer, or football outside the United States, Canada, and Australia, is the most popular sport in the world. Of the positions, the midfield is crucial as they combine defense and offense. Once they have the ball, the midfielder needs to know how to pass the ball to attacking players while also excelling at possession. Of the 11 players on a team, there are usually three or four midfielders. This wikiHow will show you how to play midfield like Chelsea's N'Golo Kanté or Manchester City's Kevin de Bruyne.
Steps
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Get some experience playing soccer/football . Central midfield is the most challenging position to master because the game revolves around you and it takes time be a good midfielder. You have a better chance of being more successful if you start playing soccer at a young age.
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Be fit. Check out this article . Build stamina. It's important to be a good athlete; it is crucial to be fit for this position. It is the most important position on the field. (You shouldn't be pacey; it's actually unnecessary to be fast.) [1] X Research sourceAdvertisement
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Have good technical ability. Work on your skills. Ball skills should be above average or exemplary because you are the person who holds the ball for most of the time and you cannot lose the ball. [2] X Research source
- You should be able to control, pass and receive the ball well, not only with your feet but other parts of your body like chest and thighs.
- Dribbling is also important.
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Be willing and able to pass. If you are not good at passing, do not bother to play in the midfield. The midfield is where the most skilled players distribute the ball play. You must play in the air and on the ground with short passes, both of which should be weighted properly. You should be the player who can read and analyze the game and spot runs your teammates are making and execute a pass.
- This is crucial as central midfielders should be able to create more chances for their team to score. This is why they are called playmakers.
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Work on your defensive maneuvers. Central midfield is not only about attack. You are the engine that keeps the team going offensively and defensively.
- Don't overcommit and stab! Force the offense to make a mistake or force them to play the ball backwards.
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Be aware of the ball and any shooting opportunities. Always take note of who is around you and move into space when off the ball.
- Have good vision. This will enable you to move the ball around well and create scoring opportunities. You, as a center midfielder, have to control the play. This means distributing the ball and checking to every ball.
- Shoot when you can. While forwards mostly do the attacking, it is not a crucial part of midfield but given you are not usually in the box, an occasional nice shot is always a great bonus.
Lionel Messi, Professional Soccer PlayerIf an opportunity comes up in a game, take it. "I never think about the play or visualize anything. I do what comes to me at that moment. Instinct. It has always been that way."
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Community Q&A
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QuestionI play CAM, and my coach wants 15 goals per season. How can I practice getting the ball out of my feet quickly and shooting well?Community AnswerKeep your head up. I play CAM and scored 23 goals last season just by keeping my head up and by creating my own space.
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QuestionCan midfielders try to score a goal?Community AnswerAlthough strikers and wingers pose the greatest threat of scoring a goal, if given an opportunity midfielders, can try to score for their team.
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QuestionIs it bad to play the ball back to the defense sometimes?Community AnswerNo, if you are under too much pressure and only your defenders are available, you can pass to them as long as they do not have an opposing player too close. After you pass the ball back, get open so they can clear the ball back to you if needed.
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Tips
- Don't be afraid to shoot the ball. In the 2010 World Cup, England midfielder Frank Lampard scored a goal that was wrongly not counted by the referees. That eventually led to the use of goal-line technology.Thanks
- The first touch is very important. Always direct your first touch away from the opposing players.Thanks
- You don't have to use fancy footwork in a 1 v 1 situation. A simple shoulder fake or a quick change in directions will work. Some of the best players in the world don't use tricky moves unless it is needed. Use the moves that work the best for you and that are the most effective.Thanks
Tips from our Readers
The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.
- Don't be afraid of the ball or afraid to call for the ball from your teammates. Don't forget that even the pros had to start somewhere. They also made mistakes. Go easy on yourself if you make mistakes and make sure you learn from them.
- Don't steam foward at every chance. This leaves your defense exposed. The most important thing to remember is to pass quickly but effectively mostly to wide positions.
- Help on offense when you have possession. Don't look to counterattack, unless you have possession of the ball. You are needed to fill the gaps for the fullbacks.
- Make sure you know what you want to do before having the ball, Also make sure you dribble with your head up so that you know what you want to do with the ball!
- Always check your shoulders both when attacking or defending. It is also essential to communicate with the other midfielders.
- The midfielder does not just play the game. They also need to communicate to make the attacking and defending runs well.
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Things You'll Need
- Pitch/grassy area
- 11 soccer players per team (goalie, defense, midfield, offense)
- Soccer ball
- A good pair of cleats or turfs, depending on the type of field
- Shorts/sweatpants
- Shin guards come in handy
- Mouth guard
References
About This Article
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 299,710 times.
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- "This article really helped me to understand how to improve as a central midfielder. After reading this article, I understood that I needed to improve my ball handling and increase my spatial awareness during the game. Thanks for this writing this!" ..." more
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"This article really helped me to understand how to improve as a central midfielder. After reading this article, I understood that I needed to improve my ball handling and increase my spatial awareness during the game. Thanks for this writing this!"
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