Functional Training of the Center Mids

I picked this session up at the 2011 NSCAA Convention.  The session was presented by Janet Rayfield.

I. Finding The Pockets of Space- 1v3 with 6 Targets

Set Up

• 1 Blue center mid inside the grid
• 6 Blue targets on the outside of the grid
• 3 Red defenders inside of the grid

Procedure

• The blue targets move the ball around the outside of the grid and look to play a pass into their center mid
• The reds defend the pass into the center mid

Make It Competitive

+1 point for the blues if they can play the ball into their center mid
+2 points for the blues if they can play the ball into their center mid and she can play it back to the person that the pass came from
+3 points for the blues if they can play the ball into their center mid and she can play the ball to someone different than the player who passed the ball to her

+1 point for the defenders if they can steal the ball and complete one pass.  When the ball is won by the defending team, all of the attacking team comes into the grid to defend 

Key Points For The Center Mids

• Find the pocket of space that allows you to receive the ball and penetrate/switch the field with your next pass.  Think about where you are passing the ball to and move to get the ball in a way that will allow you to switch the field.
• Look for the pocket of space away from the ball.  5 yard passes do not allow you to switch the field very easily.
• Look for the center mid in the transition moments from defending to attack.  Remember, the center mid is who you are looking for every time you receive the ball.
• Movement by the outside players will help to create pockets of space and passing lanes for the center mid.
• Outside players have to recognize when a pocket is going to be open and be ready to play the ball.

II) Progression of Finding The Pockets

Same set up but we switch up the point scale.  You will need lots of soccer balls because now the defenders can try to win the ball from the outside players.  Anytime the ball goes out of bounds, the attackers get to start with the ball.

Attacking Points

+1 if the attackers can complete 8 passes in a row (target players still stay on the outside of the grid)
+1 point if you find the center mid and they play it back to the person that the pass came from
+3 points if you find the center mid and she can find someone besides the person who passed the ball to her with her pass 

Defending Points

+1 point if the attackers lose the ball out of bounds
+1 point if the defenders win the ball and can complete two passes 

Key Points

• When you are in a pocket and you are under pressure, use your body to shield the ball and turn to switch the field
• As you accelerate into a pocket to get the ball you need to decelerate when you receive it so you can turn and switch the field