defense to midfield, wtf?!?!

[borsato]

lifetime spent as a defenseman.

1 year ago moved to defensive middle, tough but was fun.

now asked to play left centre/ centre mid field.
so much running, so many touches.

biggest difficulty is now that i have built up the endurance to run so much, i cant seem to keep the explosiveness for when i need it in isolation situations or big bursts of speed.

1. whats good way to develop this?

2. other advice on being a good middle player?
thx

[sonix5]

well this has kinda happened to me but for the fitness level you should prob run a mile then do intervals like sprinting 100 then 200 then so on up to 400 then run anothermile then do the same as you get more in shape you should increase the amount. and it would help to know what the system you play is to help you be a better player in it but on that you should just try and know where you are on the field like knowing when to pinch in and knowing when to get wide or overlap or step back. also you should be able to comubicate well so you will know how to keep shape and mark up. also to know when there is pressure or time, and when there is pressure keep calm and alwaystry to keep your head up and make wise descisons just overall work on you mental game. i hope that helps a little.

[gerr18]

if your endurance is good...then you only need 3 days MAX of endurance work outside of playing/training.

for your explosiveness...try plyometrics, agility drills. don't do them on the same day as endurance however. youd probably be better off doing your distance running 2x a week vs. 3x. search the web for some agility/plyo drills. it'll get the quickness back you need in the middle. trust me...i play centre mid as well...and i do plyo's twice a week, agility 2x a week, endurance run 2x a week...and im the fittest player on my team. i play collegiate and pdl soccer as well...so ive gotten much advice from my coaches/trainers.

good luck!

[Hazardinho]

Originally posted by borsato

2. other advice on being a good middle player?


keep ur headup... and try to use minimal amount of touches...

kno when to push forward and when to drop back...

and watch ALOT of soccer on tv this helps when u cant practice for a long time
good midfield players:
pirlo, rui costa, zidane, ronaldinho, nedved theres so many

[gerr18]

there are a few styles of midfielders:

1. your Zidane/Ronaldinho type player...really holds onto the ball and takes the game into their own hands. these guys love giving the spectacular ball and often times than not, will opt for that ball vs. a simple square ball.

2. your Keane/Gerrard/Viera type players...these guys keep the speed of the match under control. they get and give the ball quickly. they are there to keep the flow moving...win many balls and pass much more than dribble. they don't tend to attempt the fancy dan type trickeries and play a simple 1-2 type of game. much more effective if you ask me.

[borsato]

Originally posted by gerr18
if your endurance is good...then you only need 3 days MAX of endurance work outside of playing/training.

for your explosiveness...try plyometrics, agility drills. don't do them on the same day as endurance however. youd probably be better off doing your distance running 2x a week vs. 3x. search the web for some agility/plyo drills. it'll get the quickness back you need in the middle. trust me...i play centre mid as well...and i do plyo's twice a week, agility 2x a week, endurance run 2x a week...and im the fittest player on my team. i play collegiate and pdl soccer as well...so ive gotten much advice from my coaches/trainers.

good luck!

sounds good, but what are polymetrics and agility drills specifically?

[gerr18]

ok. go here-www.soccersoul.com, click on "fitness training" there are many sections on different types of fitness drills, agility, endurance, speed, plyometrics...there's even a section on midfielder specific fitness drills.

plyometric training is jump training. various kinds of leaps, bounds, jumps that train the muscles in your legs to react on impact, without delay.

agility training is being able to stop and change direction very quickly. such as sprinting 10 yards, and immediatly having to stop and sprint 5 or however many yards back in the opposite direction without delay.

hopefully that site will help you out.

again...it's www.soccersoul.com

[sonix5]

yeah on my team we have to do those i think a couple of them are the national team agility test, beep test, and suicides work well to.

[gerr18]

just remembered an even better website with tons more info. www.soccerfitness.net

it takes you through all the stages of building up fitness. from preseason intensity 1 to build phases, to speed phases, anaerobic phases...it's a really good source. just go to that site and read everything on it. youll be a better player for it.

www.soccerfitness.net