Midfielder Training Drills: Scanning and Playing Between the Lines
Midfielder training drills should build four habits: scanning before the ball arrives, an open body shape, receiving on the half-turn with the back foot, and finding space between the opposition lines. A holding midfielder and a number 8 use the same skills in different areas. Young midfielders who learn to look before they receive will make better decisions in every format, from 7v7 to 11v11.
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In this article
How to play central midfield: the core habits
Central midfielders receive the ball under pressure from several directions. In 7v7 (U10–U11) one or two central players do this job; in 9v9 (U12–U13) and 11v11 the roles divide into a holding midfielder, usually the number 6, and one or two more attacking midfielders, the 8s or a 10. The basic habits are the same for all of them.
- Scanning: quick looks over both shoulders before the ball arrives, to know where opponents, teammates and space are.
- Open body shape: side-on to the passer, so you can see the ball and the pitch ahead at the same time.
- Receive on the back foot: the foot furthest from the passer, which turns the body forward with the first touch.
- Half-turn: receive already facing diagonally forward instead of with your back to goal.
- Play forward when you can, sideways when you must: the first look is always forward.
Scanning drills and receiving on the half-turn
Scanning cannot be taught by telling players to look around. They need practices where the information they gather decides what they do next. The coach creates choices; the player has to look to make the right one.
Drill 1: the colour gate box
Organisation: a 15 x 15 m square with a 2 m gate in the middle of each side, gates marked with different coloured cones. One midfielder in the middle, a server outside two opposite sides. 6 players per box, rotate every 60 seconds. Duration 10 minutes.
Rules: as a server passes to the midfielder, the coach calls a colour, or holds up a coloured bib behind the midfielder. The midfielder must receive and turn through that gate in one or two touches. Progression: a passive defender stands behind the midfielder; the midfielder turns away from them. Coaching points: check the shoulder before the pass, open the body, receive on the back foot, take the first touch into the gate.
Playing between the lines
Most opponents defend in two or three lines: forwards, midfielders and defenders. The space between their midfield and defensive lines is where attacking midfielders hurt teams. A player who receives there, facing forward, can pass to the forwards, dribble at the back line or shoot.
- Find the pocket: the gap between two opposition midfielders and in front of their defenders.
- Move late: arrive in the pocket just as the passer is ready, not three seconds early.
- Show for the ball on the half-turn, so the first touch goes forward.
- The holding midfielder plays the pass: the 6 or centre-back looks for the line-breaking pass into the 8 or 10.
Drill 2: three-zone line-breaking game
Organisation: a 45 x 30 m area split into three zones of 15 m. Zone 1: three attackers against one presser. Zone 2: one attacking midfielder against one defender. Zone 3: two target players on the end line. Rotate every 3 minutes.
Rules: the three in Zone 1 keep the ball and look for a pass into the midfielder in Zone 2. If the midfielder receives and passes on to a target, that is a point. The defender in Zone 2 tries to intercept. Variants: a second presser in Zone 1; the passer can follow into Zone 2 to make a 2v1. Coaching points: the midfielder moves to lose the defender just before the pass, receives on the half-turn and plays forward quickly; passers wait for the moment rather than forcing it.
The holding midfielder and the number 8
The holding midfielder stays in front of the defence, offers a passing option to the centre-backs, switches play and protects the middle when the team loses the ball. The number 8 moves between the lines, supports the forwards and arrives in the box. In 9v9, many teams play one 6 and two 8s, or two central midfielders who share both jobs.
| Role | With the ball | Without the ball |
|---|---|---|
| Holding midfielder (6) | Show between or beside the centre-backs, switch play, pass through lines | Screen the back line, cover the full-back, stop counter-attacks |
| Number 8 | Receive between the lines, combine, run into the box | Press the opposition midfield, track runners |
| Both | Scan, open body, half-turn | Stay compact, cover each other |
Drill 3: 4v4 plus two midfield floaters
Organisation: a 35 x 30 m pitch with two small goals at each end. 4v4 plus two floaters in different coloured bibs who always play for the team in possession. 4 games of 4 minutes, rotate floaters each game.
Rules: floaters have two touches maximum. A goal scored after a floater has received facing forward counts double. Coaching points: floaters scan before receiving and move to stay available; team players use them to switch play; when the ball is lost, the nearest players press immediately.
Midfielder training drills by age: common mistakes
- Receiving square-on with the back to goal: ask for 'see the passer and the goal' before every pass.
- Receiving on the front foot: stop the drill and show how the back foot opens the body.
- Hiding behind opponents: teach players to move into the passing lane, not just into space.
- Always passing back: reward forward passes and turns in small-sided games.
- Everyone chasing the ball: give the holding midfielder a clear rule to stay central.
| Age group | Focus |
|---|---|
| U8–U9 (5v5) | Ball mastery, turning, looking up; no fixed midfield roles |
| U10–U11 (7v7) | Scanning, receiving on the half-turn, simple support angles |
| U12–U13 (9v9) | Holding and attacking roles, playing between lines, switching play |
| U14+ (11v11) | Midfield partnerships, pressing triggers, controlling tempo |
Rotate young players through central midfield. Even a child who will end up as a winger or a defender benefits from learning to scan and receive under pressure in the middle of the pitch.
Frequently asked questions
How do you train scanning in football?
Use practices where the player must look to make the right decision, such as calling a gate colour or adding a defender behind them. Check that the head moves in the seconds before the ball arrives.
What does receiving on the half-turn mean?
Receiving side-on, with the body already turned diagonally forward, usually with the back foot. It lets the player see the pitch ahead and play forward with the first or second touch.
What is the difference between a 6 and an 8 in football?
The 6 is the holding midfielder who stays in front of the defence and connects the team. The 8 is a box-to-box or attacking midfielder who moves between the lines and supports the forwards.
What does playing between the lines mean?
Receiving in the space between the opposition's midfield and defence. A player who receives there, facing forward, can pass, dribble or shoot before defenders can react.