How to Improve young Midfielder

The importance of space for midfielders

By David Clarke

When young midfielders have the ball they should be thinking about moving into any space they can find on the pitch. There will always be somewhere to go if players are constantly aware of where their opponents are.

You should be encouraging your players to run into space, rather than always passing first time. In youth games you will see lots of occasions where the opposition midfield sits back and lets your midfielders run at them, rather than close them down. In U9 matches I have also seen players just standing there, watching the opposition with the ball - it is vital your players can see what is going on and take advantage.

Players should also be listening out for shouts from team mates to let them know where they are, so when the space opens up they can surge into it, then pass in the right direction.

In the session below from Tony Carr you can see how to advance your players use of space by turning with the ball into the space around them. When players have time and space it is far easier to pass or shoot accurately.