Fremont YSC, Player Profile: Defensive Midfielder

We Have The Ball:

• Pivot In Possession.

Why?

1. Able to change directions with the ball, looking to find a player in open space or to create numbers up opportunities.
2. Allows team to keep the ball in possession.

• Good Decision Maker.

Why?

1. Not forcing the ball forward into players who have multiple defenders on them.
2. Able to make the decision on the field which allows the team to keep hold of the ball, or to create scoring opportunities.
3. Plays their game in a simple but effective style. Knows when to dribble and when to pass.

• Can Use Both Feet.

Why?

1. Unpredictable.
2. Allows you to make quicker passes.
3. Allows you to take less touches on the ball, as a player who can only use their right foot to pass, will have to make an extra step and touch to get the ball on their right foot.
4. Create better passes, ex. (able to play curled passes into open space in the pass of your teammate no matter which side of the field they are on).

• Good Distribution / Variety of Passes.

Why?

1. Players who play in this position, are a big part of the team’s build up towards goal.
2. Able to play long driven passes to a player’s chest. (Ping the ball).
3. Able to play curled passes into open space in which a teammate is running into. The ball curls right into their path.
4. Play a driven and skidded ball on the ground for speed and precision.
5. Players who play in this position are the “Playmaker” of the team, due to their distribution and key passes.

• Mobile.

Why?

1. To be able to cover ground throughout the game.
2. In transition moments, being able to react quickly.
3. Having soccer stamina to go the duration of the game.

• Good 1v1.

Why?

1. To keep the ball.
2. Able to turn a defender if receiving the ball with your back to goal.
3. To break a line of pressure.

• Recognition of Spaces in Support.

Why?

1. To allow teammates an option to play the ball.
2. To support behind the ball at an angle to quickly find space and another pass to create numbers up in attack.
3. To break a line of pressure from opponents.

• Recognition of Forward Spaces for Vertical Passes.

Why?

1. Create scoring opportunities.
2. Break lines of pressure.
3. Create numbers up in attack.
4. Ability to pick your head up and scan the field when the ball is not at your feet, this way when it gets to you, you can quickly play a vertical pass as you have taken a peek of the open space.

---

They Have The Ball:

• Good Reader of the Game.

Why?

1. Allows you to pick up open players or anticipate where the ball is going to go.
2. Able topic out patterns in the game.
3. Know when to step in to a challenge and when delay the player with the ball.
4. Recognize areas of the field to support.

• Anticipation of passing Channels.

Why?

1. Usually playing in a position that shields the “in pass” to the opponent’s center forward.
2. Using your peripheral vision to see players around you, while keeping your eye on the ball.
3. Recognizing when the player with the ball is going to pass the ball (They took a peek at the person they want to pass to, head goes down to look at the ball, planted leg next to the ball, foot is angled to where they are going to use the inside of their foot to hit the ball)

• Willingness to Step into Spaces.

Why?

1. Cover up gaps, and dangerous areas in front of the goal.
2. To take away space from an opponent.
3. No not allow opponents to play into the space you are in.

---

Being a Fremont YSC Defensive Midfielder:

• Pivot in Possession.
• Good Decision Maker.
• Can Use Both Feet.
• Good Distribution / Variety of Passes.
• Mobile.
• Good 1v1.
• Recognition of Spaces in Support.
• Recognition of Forward Spaces for Vertical Passes.
• Good Reader of the Game.
• Anticipation of Passing Channels.
• Willingness to Step into Spaces.