Annual training plan · U14–U23

Week 21: Position Training for Holding Midfielders & Wingers

3 complete training sessions with 12 drills – created by licensed coaches. Open every drill in the easy2coach web app with one click.

This week’s focus

Training week 20 started a series of 6 sessions with position-specific training content. 3 training days of these have already been completed, with 2 sessions on the striker position and one session on the holding midfielder.

The strikers' positional training covered runs in behind, finishing, movement into the box for crosses, heading and playing as a wall player. The session for the holding midfielders worked on showing for the ball and getting free in the build-up.

This week, the 2nd session for the defensive midfielder position is held. Later in the week, there are 2 training days that coach the position-specific skills and behaviours of the wingers.

In the position-specific training for the defensive midfielders, players get to know the dropping holding midfielder. With this tactical tool, the holding midfielder drops between the centre-backs in the build-up, or between a centre-back and a full-back. The dropping holding midfielder is particularly effective when the opposing team defends with 2 strikers. The holding midfielder forms a back three with the centre-backs. Thanks to the overload against the two strikers, the team can try to switch the play quickly in order to dribble at the next line.

A prominent example of the dropping holding midfielder is Xabi Alonso. At Bayern Munich in the Pep Guardiola era, he often dropped between the centre-backs in the build-up and had a major influence on the game from the back.

Author Luis Österlein

Session 1

4 drills

Now that the position-specific training for the strikers and the number 6s has been completed, the session moves on to the position of the wide midfielder.

On the attacking flank, a certain basic speed is of course an advantage. However, it is of little use if a winger lacks sufficient individual tactical training or the technical skills for their position.

For a winger, it is essential to be able to resolve 1 vs 1 situations, because there is usually a lot of space on the flanks.

Here the wide midfielder can already gain an advantage with running feints such as:

  • “Go and show”: the winger starts a run in behind, breaks it off abruptly and drops away backwards and out wide. This allows the ball to be received in an open body position and the opposing full-back to be dribbled at with pace.
  • “Show and go”: if the opposing full-back marks the winger very tightly, the winger can fake showing short and then run in behind. If the full-back reacts too late, the team-mate in possession can play the ball in behind directly or via a third player, without the 1 vs 1 having to be resolved.

If the winger opts for the “go and show” variant, the first thing is to pick up speed and dribble straight at the opponent. In the next step, after a feint and with a change of pace, the winger breaks through on the outside or cuts past the full-back on the inside.

Coaching points for this session
  • The holding midfielder who drops deep is particularly suitable against 2 strikers, to create an overload with a back three in the build-up. Depending on the situation, the holding midfielder can drop between the centre-backs or between a centre-back and a full-back. By forming the back three with the holding midfielder, the full-backs push up.
Drill 1

Positional Play - Dropping Holding Midfielder

20 minAs shown in the graphic
  • The full-back plays a back pass to the centre-back nearest the ball.
  • That is the signal for the holding midfielder furthest from the ball to drop diagonally in alongside the centre-back furthest from the ball.
  • The centre-back nearest the ball switches play to the second centre-back, who passes the ball on first time to the dropping holding midfielder.
  • The holding midfielder dribbles forward one zone and completes the build-up with a pass into the goal positioned ahead.

Variations:

  • After the back pass, the full-back furthest from the ball moves into the holding midfield zone while the holding midfielder furthest from the ball sets off wide to occupy the width. The centre-back nearest the ball switches play to the other centre-back, who passes to the free full-back in the holding midfield zone. The full-back turns into the half-space and completes the build-up with a pass into the mini goal.
  • The same sequence, but the second centre-back passes to the free holding midfielder out wide. The holding midfielder turns and completes the build-up with a pass into the goal positioned diagonally ahead.

Note: After one round, play starts from the other side. How many goals does the group manage in three minutes?

Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Two mini goals stand side by side in front of the penalty area, with the playing area in between. Cones can be used to help mark the positions of the players; about 7 are useful for this.

Equipment: 2 mini goals, about 7 cones and several balls.

Players: Two centre-backs, two full-backs and two holding midfielders.

Coaching points
  • Pay attention to the runs of the players who are not involved, covering behind or filling space.
Drill 2

Small-Sided Game: Build-Up Play Centre-Backs

20 min15 x 25 metres
  • The aim of the drill is to get the ball from centre-back to centre-back.
  • Inside the playing area the game is 4 vs 4 or 2 x 2 vs 2; in this variation two players of each team always stay in their own half of the area.
  • The outside players play with the team in possession and may only play the ball back with one or two touches.
  • There is a point when the ball is combined from centre-back to centre-back, and a bonus point when the centre-back passes directly to the other centre-back.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Six cones mark out the playing area, which is divided into two halves.

Equipment: 6 cones, 1 ball and bibs.

Players: One centre-back at each end of the playing area, two neutral support players on each side plus the outfield players.

Coaching points
  • The team in possession always has an overload.
  • The defenders therefore have to defend the space without letting the ball get through to the other side.
Drill 3

Dribbling - Feints - Coordination

15 minTwo groups facing each other with a course on both sides
  • Both players start dribbling towards the blue cone at the same time.
  • Just before the cone they perform one of the following techniques: a body feint to the left with a lunge step and then taking the ball to the right with the outside of the foot, or a step-over with the left foot and taking the ball to the right with the outside of the foot.
  • After the feint they play a firm pass to the group opposite.
  • One player then runs to the right into the tall cone slalom and works through it with quick, short steps, the other runs to the left and runs over the rings: one foot right, one foot left, then one ring with both feet.
  • Both then join the group opposite.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Two groups stand facing each other, with a cone in front of each group. A blue cone stands centrally between the two groups. To the right of it, five tall cones form a slalom; to the left of it, nine rings lie in a zigzag.

Equipment: 5 tall cones, 3 cones, one of them blue, 9 rings, several balls.

Players: Both groups send off one player with a ball at the same time.

Coaching points
  • Perform a change of pace after the feints.
  • Stay on the balls of the feet at the rings and in the tall cone slalom.
  • Only start the feint just before the cone, not on the way there.
Drill 4

Group Game: Number 6 between the Centre-Backs

25 minAs shown in the graphic
  • The game is 7 vs 7.
  • In the middle there is a central zone; goals may only be scored from there.
  • The two centre-backs outside the central zone may join in the game, but must not cross the line.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Cones mark out the playing area and a wide central zone right across the area. At both ends there are two mini goals next to each other, so four in total.

Equipment: Cones, 4 mini goals and several balls.

Players: Two teams of seven in their own bib colour; each team has two centre-backs outside the central zone in front of their own goals.

Coaching points
  • The centre-backs should not block the goal, but follow the run of play and be free for combinations.
  • What is trained above all is the way the midfield moves the play from defence into attack and the other way round.
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Session 2

4 drills

In today's training session, the players learn to switch play using diagonal lofted balls. Diagonal lofted balls are often played by one of the centre-backs to the far-side flank.

If the opposing back four plays very high, lofted balls are also an excellent way of playing in behind the defence. What matters is that the wide player is already on the move when the ball is played, by moving parallel to the line or diagonally towards it. This gives the winger a speed advantage over the opposing full-back and increases the chances of getting to the ball first.

If it looks as though the lofted ball can be cleared by a defender, it makes sense for the team to shift across compactly towards the ball. This creates a numerical advantage in the immediate vicinity of the ball, and the second ball can be won more easily.

Coaching points for this session
  • Use running feints to receive the ball in behind straight away or to be able to receive the ball in an open body position
  • Dribble straight at the opponent
  • Go past the opponent with a change of pace and a feint
  • When feinting, shift the centre of gravity sufficiently
Drill 1

Passing Combination on the Wing

20 min40 x 50 metres
  • Player A passes out to the wing to Player B, who has got free with a preparatory movement forward, breaks off the run and shows for the short pass.
  • Player B turns and passes to Player C.
  • Player C controls the ball, takes it in their stride and joins the other group.
  • The same sequence runs there.

Variations: Change the direction of play after half the time.

Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Four cones mark out the area.

Equipment: 4 cones and several balls.

Players: Players A, B and C on each side.

Coaching points
  • Player A plays the pass with appropriate firmness.
  • Player B controls the ball with the outside foot and takes it straight in the direction of movement.
Drill 2

1 vs 1 on the Wing

20 minDouble penalty area
  • Defender A plays a ground pass to attacker B.
  • Player A closes down Player B in a curved run in order to force Player B out wide.
  • The 1 vs 1 is played until the ball goes out of play, a goal is scored or the action lasts too long.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Cones mark out the playing area; two full-size goals stand at the ends.

Equipment: 2 full-size goals, cones and several balls.

Players: One defender A and one attacker B each; plus goalkeepers.

Coaching points
  • Dribble straight at the opponent.
  • Take the ball straight into the movement and build up speed.
  • Get past the opponent with feints and a change of pace.
  • Get the finish away quickly.
Drill 3

2 vs 2 on the Wing

25 min15 x 25 metres
  • In the marked area 2 vs 2 is played until a goal is scored.
  • The aim is to dribble through one of the two cone goals.
  • If the 2 vs 2 lasts longer than one to two minutes, or if a team has dribbled through a cone goal, the next two teams take their turn.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Red cones mark the playing area, yellow ones the dribbling gates.

Equipment: Cones in two colours and several balls.

Players: Several teams of two.

Drill 4

Small-Sided Game 4 vs 4 with End Zones

20 min
  • The game is played 4 vs 4 on two small goals.
  • The aim is to dribble into the end zone down the outside.
  • Once a player has arrived in the end zone, that player must finish with the first touch.
  • Defenders may not enter the end zone.
  • If a goal is scored, the team that scored the goal keeps possession. Otherwise a player of the other team starts from the end zone by playing a pass or dribbling into the area.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Cones and tall cones mark the playing area and the end zones; there are two mini goals at the ends.

Equipment: 2 mini goals, cones, tall cones and several balls.

Players: Two teams of four.

Coaching points
  • The team in possession makes the game wide.
  • Build in changes of position.

Session 3

4 drills

The first session on position-specific training for the wingers was mainly about getting free and the attacking 1 vs 1. It introduced the “go and show” and the “show and go”. The former can help in receiving a ball facing the direction of play. The latter can be used to be played in behind directly. In the attacking 1 vs 1, the players were taught that the opponent should be dribbled straight at and beaten with a feint and a change of pace.

This session, the second on position-specific training for the wide midfielders, will be more about combination play on the wing and putting in deliveries.

Underlapping and overlapping runs are particularly useful on the wing. As with the attacking 1 vs 1, the rule is that the opponent is first dribbled straight at. Once the opponent is sufficiently committed, the team-mate overlaps the player on the ball, running tight behind them and at top speed. There are now several options for the player in possession:

  • They play in the overlapping player once that player is level with them
  • They go past the opponent on the inside at the moment of the overlap
  • They play in the overlapping player via a third player (for example in combination with the ball-side striker)
Coaching points for this session
  • Dribble straight at the opponent
  • Commit the opponent sufficiently
  • Play in the overlapping player when they are level with the ball
  • If the opponent is gambling heavily on the pass to the overlapping player, the dribbling route into the centre can also be taken
Drill 1

Technique Training in the Penalty Area

15 minPenalty area
  • Each player performs various exercises with a ball — step-overs, feints, skill moves and changes of pace.
  • Both feet are used.
  • The pace is varied; one minute of work and one minute of active recovery on the ball alternate. The recovery is adjusted to the workload.

Variations:

  • Feints followed by a sharp cut, for example a scissors move or a pass feint.
  • Have feints combined, for example a step-over and a lunge step.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Cones mark out the area.

Equipment: Cones and one ball per player.

Coaching points
  • Perform a change of pace after every feint.
Drill 2

Switch of Wing + Shot

25 minHalf a full-size pitch
  • Starting from the left winger, a firm ground pass is played to the centre-back furthest from the ball.
  • This player plays a one-two with the full-back and then passes to the right winger out wide.
  • The right winger lays the ball off to the full-back and runs around the dummy behind.
  • The full-back plays the ball to the striker coming towards the ball, who plays the ball into the run of the right winger.
  • The winger runs onto the ball and, after a quick dribble to the goal line, crosses into the penalty area.
  • The striker and the left winger cross their runs and finish the cross.

Variations: Have the drill carried out on both sides of the pitch.

Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Three dummies represent opponents, cones mark the positions; plus one goal.

Equipment: 3 dummies, cones, 1 goal and several balls.

Players: Two centre-backs, two full-backs, two wingers and one striker; plus one goalkeeper.

Coaching points
  • The winger gets away from the dummy with running feints.
  • The ball is laid off with the foot furthest from the opponent.
  • The forward run starts with a change of pace.
  • The cross is played at full speed.
Drill 3

3 vs 2 on the Wing

20 min30 x 10 metres on the wing
  • The game starts in the corridor with a 3 vs 2.
  • The aim of the three attackers is to deliver a cross into the penalty area from the level of the yellow cone onwards.
  • The two waiting attackers run into the penalty area with the cross and take it first time wherever possible.
  • If the two defenders win the ball, they try to dribble out of the corridor towards the halfway line.

Variations: Have the drill carried out on the other side of the pitch as well.

Equipment & set-up

Pitch: On one wing a corridor of about 30 x 10 metres is marked out with cones, running from the halfway line to the goal line. On the corridor line facing the centre, a yellow cone marks the point from which crossing is allowed. The game is played on a full-size goal.

Equipment: Cones, one of them in a different colour, 1 goal, bibs in two colours, several balls.

Players: In the corridor three attackers play against two defenders. Two further attackers wait outside the corridor level with the penalty area, plus a goalkeeper.

Coaching points
  • Use the numerical advantage to combine quickly or to dribble through.
  • The defenders defend the space, but also block the route to the cross.
  • Play the attacks out to the end quickly.
  • Dribble at the opponent decisively and tie opponents up.
Drill 4

Overlapping Runs in the Wide Zone

30 minHalf a pitch
  • The game is played freely.
  • As soon as the ball is played to a player in a wide zone, another attacker makes an overlapping run — ideally the passer.
  • In this way attacking variations with overlapping runs or play through a third player are created. The defender in the wide zone becomes active in the process.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Cones mark the playing area and the wide zone; there are two goals at the ends.

Equipment: 2 goals, cones and several balls.

Players: Two teams and goalkeepers.

Coaching points
  • Switch play quickly to the wings and create a numerical advantage there.
  • If a goal is scored after an overlapping run or play through a third player, there is an extra point.
More on this topic Wing play · 2 ready-made sessions View sessions →
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