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For young players aspiring to reach the elite level, this has made position-specific training more important than ever. Talent development pathways must do more than improve general football ability; they must help players understand how their position functions within the modern game and what is expected of them in key match scenarios.
This article introduces a position-specific approach to player development using the example of the holding midfielder (Number 6) and their role in building out from the back. It provides the rationale for position-specific training, outlines the profile of the modern holding midfielder, and presents a three-phase training methodology that will underpin three subsequent practical articles. Each of these follow-up articles will focus on one phase of the methodology and present a small library of practices and games designed to develop the holding midfielder’s ability to support build-up play.
The demands of the modern game
If the objective of youth development is to prepare players for senior elite football, training must reflect the demands of the modern game. Exercises that do not relate to how football is actually played at the highest level will not equip players for the environments they will eventually face.
Modern football is characterised by increased speed, intensity and tactical organisation. Players operate with less time and space, are required to process more information, and must make and execute decisions under constant pressure. As a result, technical quality alone is no longer sufficient. Technical actions must be precise, repeatable and embedded within a strong tactical understanding.
At the same time, team organisation and collective structures have become more prominent. Individual players are expected to fulfil clearly defined roles that support the team’s playing model, especially in key moments such as build-up, transition and high pressing. Training therefore needs to be:
- Game‑related, reflecting realistic scenarios
- Role‑specific, addressing the actual demands placed on players
- Progressive, building from individual actions to team behaviours
By working in this way can coaches develop players who control the game rather than simply participate in it.
The modern midfielder is the most versatile and tactically demanding role in today’s football
Position-specific training is an important tool for coaches looking to achieve this objective, because it puts players in a controlled context that challenges them to process information, operate under pressure, and to connect all phases of play.
Midfielders – at the heart of the action
Among all positions, the midfield role is arguably the most complex. Midfielders must defend space, support build-up, control the tempo of the game, connect units and contribute in the final third. Each of these tasks places different technical, tactical, physical and cognitive demands on the player.
As a result, modern football has seen the emergence of clearly differentiated midfield profiles. In this article, we use the traditional numbering convention common in the English-speaking world to focus on the holding midfielder (Number 6).
The modern holding midfielder
The Number 6 plays a central role in maintaining the team’s structure and controlling the rhythm of the game. They often act as the link between defence and midfield and are key to implementing the coach’s strategy on the pitch.
To fulfil this role, a top-level holding midfielder requires:
- Exceptional game intelligence and positional awareness;
- Strong playmaking ability under pressure; and
- Positional flexibility, including the capacity to drop into the defensive line during build-up.
Technically, they must be secure in possession, able to play a varied passing range with accuracy and speed, and comfortable receiving and turning under pressure. The ability to shoot from distance can add an extra dimension.
Out of possession, the holding midfielder is responsible for protecting central spaces, especially in transition, screening passing lanes, organising the press and contributing to the team’s rest defence. This requires physical capacity, controlled aggression and tactical discipline.
The holding midfielder in build-up play
During build-up, the Number 6 is often the reference point through which play progresses. Whether operating alone or alongside another midfielder, they provide the main connection between the defensive line and more advanced players.
To perform this role effectively, the holding midfielder must:
- Find space to receive, including dropping between or alongside defenders;
- Scan the environment before receiving the ball;
- Adopt an open body position to play forward when possible;
- When playing forward is not possible, protect the ball and play safely to keep possession;
- Select and execute the appropriate pass to progress play and break lines; and
- Control the tempo of the attack.
The video examples below, taken from the FIFA U-17 World Cup 2025™, illustrate how young elite holding midfielders apply these principles in competitive match contexts.
A three-phase method for position-specific training
Developing the wide range of attributes required by the modern holding midfielder is a complex task. To support this process, we propose a three-phase training methodology that gradually increases realism and complexity while maintaining a clear focus on role-specific development.
The three phases are interconnected and complementary. They are not rigid steps, but layers that coaches can move between depending on the age, experience and needs of the player.
Phase 1: Training individual actions
Your structure decides how your team is organised, but it’s individual quality that decides games
Phase 1 focuses on developing the fundamental technical and movement patterns required for the holding midfielder’s role in build-up play. Practices are predominantly unopposed and designed to create a high volume of repetition.
The emphasis is not on decision-making but on how actions are executed. Key elements include:
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Timing of movements to show for the ball;
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Coordination between players involved in build-up patterns;
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Scanning before receiving;
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Opening body shape to play forward;
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Smooth execution of receiving, turning, dribbling and passing; and
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Speed and accuracy of passing with both feet.
Situational references are built into the practice design to link actions to the game, but choices are largely predetermined.
Phase 1 embeds the technical and motor foundations that underpin effective performance. When these basics are automated and consistent, players are better prepared to cope with pressure and complexity at later stages.
This phase allows coaches to:
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Set clear, observable performance criteria;
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Maximise repetition; and
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Refine quality and consistency of execution.
Its limitation is the absence of real decision-making and pressure, which is why it must be complemented by the following phases.
Phase 2: Training in-game situations
Small-group, game-based training builds role-specific skills under pressure
Phase 2 introduces opposition and decision-making through small-sided, game-like scenarios. These practices are designed to replicate the central situation for the holding midfielder: supporting build-up and connecting play to progress forward.
Players must now:
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Perceive more information;
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Make decisions under pressure; and
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Execute technical actions in tighter spaces.
At the same time, numbers and spaces are reduced to ensure high repetition of the key scenario.
Phase 2 acts as a bridge between isolated training and full games. It allows players to apply the skills developed in Phase 1 while gradually adapting to the cognitive and tactical demands of real matches, without being overwhelmed.
Small-sided games increase involvement and learning intensity, but remain controlled. They are less complex than full-team exercises, which means not all match realities are present.
Phase 3: Training game phases
The best training is written by the modern game
Phase 3 integrates role-specific objectives into larger training games and, ultimately, competitive 11-a-side matches. Exercises involve more players, greater positional interdependence and increased physical and cognitive load.
While practices are less targeted than in Phase 2, they are also the most representative of real match conditions.
This phase exposes the holding midfielder to the full complexity of the game: more opponents, more team-mates, more transitions and more unpredictability. It is essential for developing game understanding and preparing players for competition.
Repetition of specific scenarios is lower, but realism is highest. Coaches must therefore maintain a strong focus on individual objectives through targeted feedback.
Conclusion
Players are most likely to reach their potential when their development is aligned with the demands of the modern game. Position-specific, game-based training provides a framework for connecting individual quality with collective performance.
By using a progressive three-phase methodology focused on the holding midfielder’s role in build-up play, coaches can develop technical precision, tactical understanding, physical readiness and cognitive sharpness in realistic contexts. Clear communication, specific feedback and opportunities for repetition enable players to internalise key behaviours and apply them effectively in competition.
The following three practical articles will translate this framework into concrete exercises and games, each aligned with one phase of the methodology.
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