Midfield Transition- Central Midfielders

Throughout most matches, the transition from defense to offense- or offense to defense- will usually go through the midfield players who are tasked with supporting either the forwards or attacking midfield players or the defense. They must have vision to see where to pass, and the skill and speed to execute their tactics.

Here is the biggest non-committal phrase in soccer: "It depends." Players often ask questions about what to do and invariably, my answer will include this phrase. So much of our decision making truly depends on the dynamics of the moment. So coaching this game, and especially transition, is tricky.

A few key points for midfielders to be aware of when transitions from defense to offense:

1. Is there an opportunity for a fast break attack?
   • The real question here is, "Can I play the ball long or wide to create an overload opportunity?" The keys to a fast break are quickness of play and taking advantage of defensive weaknesses in the moment.
2. What opportunities do I have in progressing the ball forward to a teammate?
   • I once had a coach tell me this- "Your first option, when a player is available, is to always to play the ball forward, the second option is to play a ball to an available player square, and the last option in attack is to play the ball back." Can I make a killer pass? Where is the available space on the field?
3. Should I slow down play?
   • Sometimes, the best thing for a midfield player to do is change the tempo of the game or wait for their teammates to get into position. Midfielders must be able to read the game in a way that is productive and effective.

The more players play and watch the sport, the more they begin to understand the tactical options they have. It may also depend on the style of play that a particular team or club is trying to foster. For example, Barcelona and Spain became legendary for a style of play called "Tiki-Taka". In tiki-taka, a team focuses on possessing the ball through short passes and movement that exposes and takes advantage of channels on the field. The central idea is to possess and move the ball so quickly that the defensive players get out of shape and forward passes can penetrate to skillful forwards and wingers.

Liverpool play an attacking style that Jurgen Klopp has famously called "Heavy Metal Football". This is a direct style of play that employs a few key components:

• Gegenpressing-  this is immediate pressing on the loss of the ball and pressing high up the pitch. "The best moment to win the ball is immediately after your team just lost it,” Klopp has said. “The opponent is still looking for orientation where to pass the ball. He will have taken his eyes off the game to make his tackle or interception and he will have expended energy. Both make him vulnerable.

• Klopp's implementation of transitioning is also different to others. He uses play makers (currently Sadio Mane at LFC starts at left but drifts in and plays behind a very mobile forward with Mo Salah on the right) to dovetail behind strikers starting from wide positions. This means you get an unmarked attacking midfielder wrecking havoc in the center while already having one there (Roberto Firmino). His three attacking mid fielders often interchange and often lose their markers. 

• Fast break attack utilizing the long pass. This is a not "boot ball". This is strategically playing a long ball to a player, usually a midfielder, or into space where the player can gain possession of the ball and either attack the goal directly or combine with teammates to score a goal.

In a nutshell, the style requires intensity, creativity, quick thinking and quick strikes.