Today we are learning how to be a box to box center midfielder.
What’s going on? Little dap! It’s Jared Montz, former pro and founder of Online Soccer
Academy. What is a box to box center mid? Coaches say this. People describe Frank Lampard,
Michael Bradley and Steven Gerrard as box to box center mids, but what does that mean?
A box to box center mid is a central midfielder that is both a defensive center mid and an
attacking center mid. They know how to collect the ball from the defenders in the back and
distribute it simply to their teammates. Typically this is done around the defensive 18-yard
box. They also know how to make runs forward, get on the end of crosses and be creative
in the attacking third. Typically this is done around the attacking 18 yard box. They
cover a lot of ground between both 18 yard boxes. Hence the name box to box center mid.
For tips on being a defensive center mid and an attacking center mid watch these two OSA
videos. So yep, that’s pretty much it! Watch those
two videos, combine them together and boom you got the info on how to be a box to box
center mid! That’s a wrap. Cut it! Cut! Kidding, there is more to it then that. But
seriously watch those videos because they will be very helpful. I’m not repeating
those key points in this video. Key Points! Key Point One. Be fit! You need
to be fit to play this position. Typically box to box center mids cover the most ground
of any player on the field in a game. If you want to be a good box to box center mid you
better be willing to do extra fitness. Key Point Two. Simple in the back, create
in the attack. Understand where you are on the field. If you are collecting the ball
off the back line then have your defensive mid hat on and keep it simple. Receive the
ball, pass the ball. Keep it moving, don’t try your fancy passes in the defensive third.
If you are in the attacking third and you your gut tells you to hit that killer pass
splitting two defenders and putting your forward in one on one with the goalie then make that
pass! Don’t doubt your gut. The attacking third is where you have the
license to make this type of pass. It’s because if it doesn’t work out then the
odds of other team scoring from your turn over are low. Yes, don’t try to make a killer
pass every time in the attacking third, but when you feel it after you’ve been making
simple passes take a chance. Simple in the back, create in the attack. Key Point Three.
Delay your runs in the box. If your right winger is dribbling down the
sideline and about to whip in a cross delay your run a bit. Typically your forwards are
going to be ahead of you and they are going to run to the near post and far post. If you
get in the box too early and too close to your forwards and the ball is played behind
you it’s harder to recover and make a play. Versus if you are delayed then it’s easier
for you to be in the right spot at the right time to run onto the ball and make a play.
Key Point Four. Have the mantra I tackle hard and create chances. I played center mid back
in the day and my internal mantra was, “I tackle hard and create chances.” I viewed
myself as a box to box center mid. I’d repeat this mantra to myself before games and practices.
It helped me really focus on what my job was. Use this mantra or create your own mantra.
Key Point Five. Don’t stress over killer passes not completed.
Yes, when you make a killer pass in the attacking third you need to 100% believe it’s going
to work. The reality is more times then not your pass won’t work for a variety of reasons.
When it doesn’t work, don’t be hard on yourself. Just get on with it right away and
forget about it. If you let these little failures get to you they will turn into more failures
and this will bring your confidence down. You don’t want that!
An exercise to practice. This exercise will help you get in the mindset of getting forward
and it works on your fitness too. You will need a few balls, a partner and six cones.
Have your partner be a right back. They pass you the ball, you receive it as a defensive
center mid and then make a pass to either cone one, two or three. After you make a simple
pass, sprint forward to your cone 20 yards away. As you are running looking around to
see the field, imagine you are going to get the ball passed back to you. Once you get
to that cone pause and lightly jog back and repeat. Do a few reps depending on how many
balls you have, rest and then repeat a few times.
What’s Wrong! If you see runs to make in the attacking third but you aren’t making
them because you are too tired or you don’t think you can recover fast enough if there
is a turn over then you aren’t fit enough to be a box to box center mid. Get more fit
or don’t call yourself a box to box center mid. Bonus Tip!
Take pride in completing your passes. Great box to box center mids have high pass completion
rates. Yes, those killer passes might bring down their average, but the core of their
passes are completed. Take pride in your passing. Hope you enjoyed this Online Soccer Academy
video! Click here to watch our incredibly helpful 200+ free videos, go here if you want
a Believe in it® shirt and go here if you are a coach and want to host an OSA Soccer
Camp. My name is Jared Montz and remember if you
Believe in it® and back that up with hard work, anything in life is possible. Believe
in it®!