Master the Art of Playing Defensive Midfielder in Soccer

How to Excel as a Defensive Midfielder in Soccer

The defensive midfielder is one of the most important positions in soccer. This specialized role is key to providing a shield and cover for the defense, disrupting the opponent’s attacks, and initiating attacking play from deep areas. Mastering the art of playing as a defensive midfielder requires the perfect blend of physical and technical attributes as well as tactical intelligence.

If you want to truly excel in this position, you need an excellent reading of the game, immaculate defensive positioning, clean tackling skills, efficient distribution, and strong communication and leadership. This comprehensive guide will provide you with all the key tips, advice, and drills you need to go from an average defensive midfielder to an exceptional one. Let’s get started!

Understanding the Role of a Defensive Midfielder

The defensive midfielder (DM) plays right in front of the defense, usually in a central position. Their main responsibilities are:

Shielding the defense: Protecting the defensive line by covering and intercepting in front of them.

Starting attacks: Winning back possession and immediately distributing the ball to initiate attacking transitions.

Maintaining possession: Acting as a link between defense and attack by keeping the ball moving with short passes.

The DM must have tremendous positional discipline and concentration skills. They must excel at tackling, marking, and pressing opponents to win back possession for their team. At the same time, they need composure and skill on the ball to retain possession and accurately distribute passes to more creative teammates.

Key Attributes and Skills Needed

To succeed as a defensive midfielder, you need to possess certain physical, technical, mental and tactical attributes:

Physicality and Stamina: This role requires tremendous fitness levels to cover large distances, close down opponents, and battle for loose balls for 90 minutes. Having athleticism, speed, strength, and stamina is crucial.

Tackling and Marking: A DM must have impeccable timing in tackles and challenges. They also need persistence and aggression to tightly mark opponents and shield the ball.

Vision and Passing: The ability to scan the field, spot passes, and have a wide passing range allows the DM to build attacks from deep areas. Short passing accuracy helps maintain possession.

Communication and Leadership: Organizing the defensive shape, barking instructions, and communicating threats is a huge responsibility. The DM acts as the quarterback of the defense.

Concentration: Staying alert and focused for the full 90 minutes is vital. Lapses in concentration can prove very costly.

Mastering all these attributes takes tremendous work on the training pitch and in the gym. Let’s look at specific ways to improve the key skills required to excel as a defensive midfielder.

Improving Your Defensive Positioning

Defensive positioning is vital for a DM. Here are some tips to excel in this area:

Read the game effectively: Scan the field constantly to read the direction of play and make smart preemptive movements.

Cover space in front: Don’t get drawn out wide. Prioritize protecting the dangerous central areas in front of defense.

Track opponent movements: Follow the attacking runner’s movements and get the goal side to cut out passes.

Stay goal-side: When confronting an attacker, always position your body between him and the goal.

Limit space behind: Don’t step up too soon, or you’ll leave space behind for attackers to exploit.

Recover quickly: If caught out of position, sprint back immediately into a central covering area.

Perfect positioning comes from developing a strong tactical understanding of the game. Analyze videos of yourself during matches to identify areas for improvement.

Mastering the Art of Tackling and Marking

Defensive midfielders must master the art of tackling and tight marking. Here are some tips:

Proper tackling technique: Time your tackle well and approach from an angle. Don’t lunge in recklessly. Use controlled force, and try to stay on your feet.

Choose situations wisely: Only commit to tackles you’re confident of winning cleanly. Don’t give away needless fouls.

Jockey and contain: If you can’t win the ball cleanly, delay and hold up the attacker until support arrives.

Shield the ball: Use your body to get between the opponent and the ball to win back possession.

Tight, goal-side marking: Stick as tight as possible to dangerous midfielders and track their runs.

Limit space and options: Close down passing lanes and force opponents away from the middle.

Practice your tackling and jockeying techniques regularly in training. One-on-one defensive drills against teammates are excellent.

Enhancing Your Distribution and Transition Play

While defense is a priority, distributing the ball efficiently is equally important for a defensive midfielder. Here are some tips:

Develop accurate long passes: Switch the ball from flank to flank to change the angle of attack.

Master various short passes: Quick, crisp one-touch passes, give-and-go’s, clever reverse passes, etc.

Turn defense into attack: As soon as you win the ball back, look to play forward immediately.

Support the build-up: Make yourself available for passes from the defenders to recycle possession.

Remain composed: When pressed, don’t just hoof the ball away. Keep it moving with calm passes.

Vary the tempo: Speed up play when chances open up. Slow it down when maintaining possession.

Work on striking technique: Practice hitting crisper passes and shots after the first touch.

Regular passing, possession, and transition drills will help perfect your distribution skills. Play long passes between cones and short exchanges with a teammate.

Developing Communication and Organizational Skills

Defensive midfielders must be excellent communicators and organizers. Here are some tips:

Bark out instructions: Constantly instruct teammates to get into proper positional shape.

Organize the shape: Ensure optimal spacing and coverage between defense and midfield lines.

Communicate threats: Call out dangerous opposition runners or gaps to mark.

Lead the press: Initiate the high press by closing down the opponent in possession.

Talk to the defenders: Keep the defensive line informed and alert at all times.

Be vocal: Loud, clear, and concise instructions are essential for organization.

Demand the ball: Call for passes from teammates when you are free to maintain possession.

Work closely with the defenders in training to improve their understanding of shapes and threats. Simulate in-game scenarios to practice communication and leadership skills.

Maintaining Concentration and Work Ethic

To succeed as a defensive midfielder, you need tremendous focus, concentration, and work ethic:

Remain alert and focused: You cannot switch off for even a moment during games. Stay sharp and scan the field constantly.

Maintain intensity: Bring energy and apply aggressive pressure for the full 90 minutes. Don’t get lazy.

Carry out duties diligently: Be disciplined, and don’t neglect your defensive duties. Keep your position.

Press relentlessly: As soon as possession is lost, work hard to win it back immediately. Don’t stand off opponents.

Trackback quickly: When possession is turned over, sprint back immediately to cover.

Persist in duels: If you don’t win the ball the first time, work hard to regain it quickly.

Don’t lose concentration after mistakes: Bounce back quickly if errors are made. Maintain focus.

Simulate match intensity in training and practice remaining focused in physically demanding drills. Work ethic separates the best from the average.

Best Drills and Exercises to Improve as a Defensive Midfielder

Incorporating the right drills in your training is crucial for developing the attributes needed to excel as a defensive midfielder. Here are some highly effective drills:

Defensive Positioning Drills

Shadow play: Follow an attacking player’s every movement without the ball to improve positioning.

Angle play: Practice taking up proper angles and body shape when confronting attackers.

Decision making: The trainer calls out scenarios to work on decision making like press vs drop off.

One-on-One Tackling and Jockeying Drills

Mirror tackle: The trainer initiates an attack, and you react and time tackle.

Beat the dribble: 1 vs 1 dribbling drill focused on containment and jockeying.

Spot tackle: Tackle the opponent immediately after they receive a pass.

Passing and Distribution Drills

Ball mastery: Quick feet and ball control drills.

Pass and follow: Pass to a partner then run to offer a return pass.

Transition play: Immediately look to pass forward after winning possession.

Defensive-Shape Organization Drills

Coordinate press: Simulate in-game pressing situations.

Possession & cover: Maintain defensive shape while circulating the ball.

Communication: Continuously instruct teammates and organize shape.

Key Tips and Advice from the Experts

Here are some top tips and advice from current and former professional defensive midfielders and coaches:

“Read the game and always stay alert. You can’t switch off even for a moment in that position.” – Claude Makelele

“Don’t just win the ball. Pass it to a teammate quickly after winning possession.” – Sergio Busquets

“Master the art of tackling. Know when to go in for a tackle and when not to.” – N’Golo Kante

“Be fit enough to get up and down the pitch for 90 minutes. You must have tremendous stamina.” – Gennaro Gattuso

“Focus on keeping your positional discipline first. Don’t chase the ball needlessly.” -Michael Carrick

“Communication is vital. Constantly instruct your teammates and organize the shape.” – Fernando Redondo

“When midfielders turn their backs, that’s when you press. Cut off their options.” – Pep Guardiola

“When you receive the ball, always scan for passing options before you get closed down.” – Xabi Alonso

Sample Defensive Midfielder Workout Routine

Here is a sample weekly workout routine focused on the key fitness elements for defensive midfielders:

Monday

– Strength Training – Squats, Lunges, Deadlifts 5×5

– Core Circuit – Planks, Side Planks, Leg Raises, Russian Twists

– Tackling Drills – Mirror tackle, spot tackle, recovery tackle

Tuesday

– Interval Training – Short sprints, Agility ladders, Shuttle runs

– Passing Drills – Give-and-go’s, long passing, first touch passing

– Possession Game – 6 vs 6 tight area possession

Wednesday

– Gym – Strongman exercises – Farmer’s walk, Prowler push, Sled pushes

– Stamina Training – 45 min steady run, Tempo intervals

– Defensive Positioning – Angle drills, decision making

Thursday

– Explosive Power – Jump Squats, Broad Jumps, Box Jumps

– Tackling Practice – 1 on 1, 2 on 1 drills

– Transition Play – Regain possession into a forward pass

Friday

– Yoga Session – Flexibility, balance and mobility

– Short Sprints – 10-20m sprints

– Technical Work – First touch, turns, feints

Saturday

– Matchday

Sunday

– Active Recovery – Light jogging, swimming, cycling

– Stretching and use recovery gear – Foam rolling, compression tights

How to Perform Video Analysis to Improve

Analyzing videos of your matches and training is an invaluable tool for identifying strengths and areas needing improvement as a defensive midfielder. Here are some tips:

Record matches: Have someone film your full matches and training sessions.

Watch the footage: Review the recordings, taking notes on your positioning, tackles, marking, etc.

Identify patterns: Look for trends like whether you get drawn out of position often.

Assess decision making: Evaluate choices you made like pressing vs dropping off.

Examine footwork: Analyze technique on turns, jockeying, and recovery runs.

Review 1 v 1 duels: Critically assess how you fared in individual battles.

Compare to other DM’s: Watch footage of top DM’s to compare their positioning and technique.

Share analysis with a coach: Get the coach’s feedback on your performance.

Implement improvements: Work on correcting the weaknesses identified through video review.

Video analysis married with coach feedback, is a fantastic way to recognize areas for improvement and accelerate your development as a defensive midfielder.

Conclusion

Being an exceptional defensive midfielder requires top-notch tactical intelligence, physical fitness, technical skills, concentration, and work ethic. Mastering the fundamentals of positioning, tackling, distribution, and communication is crucial.

Improving your defensive understanding, tackle technique, passing range, leadership skills and fitness through deliberate training drills and video analysis will help elevate your game. Ensuring optimal nutrition and equipment tailored to your needs also gives you an edge.

The elite defensive midfielders recognize the nuances and intricacies of the position and are constantly working to enhance their craft. With the right guidance and hours of dedicated practice, you too can become the rock-solid anchor and shield for your team’s defense. Stay disciplined and keep striving to be a complete modern defensive midfielder.

Learn More: How to Create Space as a Midfielder in Soccer