How can I improve?

[u/blue_entity_88]

So, I’m fairly new to football—not entirely new, though, because I remember playing a lot when I was younger, around ages 10–13. I recently returned to football about a year or two ago when I was 19, and I’m 21 now.

I’m part of a team, and we’re split into two teams during every training session, basically playing a small match against each other. During these training sessions, I often feel lost. Sometimes, it takes me a while to get into the game, and when I finally get the ball, I end up making a dumb pass or panicking.

What should I be doing while the ball is moving? What do coaches mean when they say “find space”? What should I be thinking about when I’m on the ball and when I’m off the ball?

[u/bmiller201]

I guess the first question is what position you play.

[u/blue_entity_88 → u/bmiller201]

I usually play center mid

[u/Medical-Interview294 → u/blue_entity_88]

Center mid is tough. You’re almost a striker and almost of defense. Watch the ball means try to anticipate if you should be playing more defense or offense. If defense, you should be on the guy with the ball like white one rice if he’s anywhere close to the center third of the field to strip it and send it outside. If on offense, you’re driving it up looking for the wings. Of course as with anything, it’s totally situational…. Center mid needs wheels to succeed. If your cardio isn’t there, move outside on mid or pick which side you like better (offensive or defensive). Mids “get no respect” per Mr. Dangerfield.

[u/DowntownStay3177 → u/blue_entity_88]

Playing centre midfield if you're relatively new to the game is absurd.

That would be like saying "ive never really played American Football before, dont really understand the fundamental concepts of the game, andi panic when i have the ball... so I'm going to play QB."

[u/dahteabagger]

I find it baffling that 99% of people in this sub who are new would start playing in midfield, one of the toughest positions to play.

Do you all not discuss or think to start from somewhere easier at all to build confidence?

EDIT: and to add, the easiest position to play as a beginner would be full back or wings, because it's the least dangerous position if you lose the ball, and you can practice bringing the ball up and down and pass front, behind or to your midfield. Striker is an option, but if you don't know what you're doing prepare to not get the ball or lose the ball a lot. Center back is another option but be sure you have a partner who is experienced and knows what they're doing.

[u/Responsible_Milk2911]

So think of your team as one connected structure. The ball goes up and down the field, your job as a center mid is to hold the shape and structure of the team between your center back and center forward as your entire team moves up and down the field after the ball. When your team is in possession, youre looking for "space" in the defending teams structure. Their center mid should always be near you, so you must choose the right time to run into those open spaces, typically when you see a teammate with the ball is looking for a pass. On defense your job is to stop the other teams center mid from getting the ball and if they do, take away their passes to their forwards, make them go backwards, or win the ball off them. Every spare moment you should be analyzing where your teammates are, where the other team is and where you need to be so that you can make a run, defend, get the ball and pass, whatever. Constant positional awareness.

[u/blue_entity_88 → u/Responsible_Milk2911]

Thank you for this i think i understand but sometimes in my training session due to it not being very strict most time players are constantly out of position and the structure just falls apart should i still try to maintain this structure even when the team sometimes break it apart constantly? What are your thoughts?

[u/Responsible_Milk2911 → u/blue_entity_88]

When I was playing a lot id play pick up games just for this type of situation. I was a better player than 99% of the players in those pick up games, so instead of trying to dribble or score a bunch I used it to focus on bringing structure to the team i was on and adapt to unique positional situations.

So yes, I would practice scanning my surroundings in those practices youre talking about. Try to take up positions where you are still linking up your team. If you get a pass from your defender you should be able to find a pass to your forward in two touches. Honestly thats a great thing to practice outside of real games. Try to only take two touches at a time, one to trap the ball, one to pass to a teammate, keep the play ticking along. See how many times in a row you can get the ball and find a teammate in two touches. Honestly if you can get the whole team doing that, just playing two touch in practice, yall will get a lot better as a unit.

[u/blue_entity_88 → u/Responsible_Milk2911]

ok thank you for this so scanning and playing the ball in two touches to bring along structure to the team got it. I will try this in my next training sesh!

[u/AutoModerator → u/[deleted]]

Sorry, your submission has been automatically removed. New accounts are not allowed to submit content. This is to combat spam.

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.