Set Up
• Three 3 v. 3s on small goals take place simultaneously on three separate fields.
• The midfielder starts out between the fields.
• Have extra balls ready at each goal.

Sequence  
• The midfielder runs into one of the fields where his teammates are not in possession of the ball, where he tries to win the ball quickly by creating a 4 v. 3 situation.
• After winning the ball, the midfielder switches at top speed to another field where the opposition has the ball.
• The round is over when the midfielder has helped his teammates win the ball in all three fields.

Objectives  
• Winning the ball quickly by outnumbering opponents around it
• Identifying situations quickly

Set Up
• One midfielder plays against two defenders on a small goal on the endline.
• The defenders have two teammates 15 yards to the right and left of the small goal.
• Two more small goals stand on the opposite endline, about 30 yards apart.

Sequence
• Each play starts with the midfielder and defenders playing 1 v. 2 on the small goal.
• If the defenders win the ball, they immediately bring one of their two teammates into play, and that player starts a solo attack on one of the two counter attack goals.
• The midfielder goes after the attacker and tries to stop him from dribbling across the goal line.

Objectives
• Switching quickly to defense and pursuing opponents
• Skillful 1 v. 1 play against a dribbler

Set Up
• The coach stands behind three small goals. 
• The midfielder takes a position in front of the goals, facing away from the coach. 
• The remaining players have one ball each and divide into three groups of equal size.
• Each group lines up facing a goal, about 25 yards away.

Sequence
• The coach points to one group, giving the first player in that group the signal to start dribbling toward the goal opposite. 
• The midfielder reacts as quickly as possible, moving to the appropriate side to stop the attacker and using skillful 1 v. 1 play to keep him from dribbling across the goal line.
• If the midfielder wins the ball, the coach gives the next signal.

Objectives
• Moving quickly to the ball
• stopping opponents and initiating 1 v. 1s at high speed

Set Up
• The coach stands behind three small goals.
• Three more small goals stand about 25 yards away, with one attacker in front of each of them.
• The midfielder has a ball and stands just in front of the three attackers, opposite the coach.

Sequence
• The midfielder starts the play with a pass on the ground to the coach.
• The coach kicks a long pass to one of the three attackers (A, B, C), who starts an attack on one of the three goals in front of the coach.
• The midfielder's job is either to intercept the pass or to interfere with the subsequent attack. If he wins the ball, he has an opportunity to score on one of the other three goals.

Objectives
• Intercepting passes
• Interfering with an opponent's ball control
• 1 v. 1 play against a dribbler

Set Up
• Two teams of five play inside a marked field.
• There is one neutral midfielder.

Sequence 
The two teams play 5 v. 5 to maintain possession of the ball. The midfielder helps whichever team has the ball.
Various extra requirements serve to highlight the midfielder's role as "ball distributor:"
• The ball must go to the midfielder every third pass (or fourth, or fifth) at the latest.
• The midfielder must always dribble at least 20 yards.
• The midfielder must pass directly.

Objectives 
• Training the midfielder as a passing station and "ball distributor"
• Confident combination play

Set Up
• Two teams of four play on two endlines (dribbling across the opposition's endline = one point).
• Team A consists entirely of midfielders.
• The coach has a number of balls and stands outside the field, ready to pass.

Sequence
• The two teams start out facing each other in one half. 
• The coach starts each play with a long, high pass to one of the midfielders.
• As soon as the coach passes, the other team can leave its half and interfere with the midfielders. The pass receiver must head the ball to a teammate, starting the 4 v. 4.

Objectives
• Accurate heading
• Combination play to score

Set Up
• Two teams play 3 v. 3 in a marked field (about 15 yards square).
• Two small goals stand to the right and left of this field, each 10 yards away.

Sequence
• This exercise is specially designed for the midfielder, who plays with Team A.
• Team B starts out in possession of the ball and plays 3 v. 3 to maintain possession as long as possible.
• If Team A's midfielder wins the ball, he tries to dribble through one of the small goals at top speed. One player from B is allowed to pursue him. Afterwards, a new 3 v. 3 starts inside the field.

Objectives
• High-speed long-range dribbling 
• Safe combination play

Set Up
• Two teams play 4 v. 4 inside a marked field along the centerline.
• Team B consists entirely of midfielders.
• Another pair of players stands on each of the larger field's sidelines: 1 v. 1 between an outside attacker and a defender.
• One goalkeeper stands in the goal.

Sequence
• Team A starts the 4 v. 4 in possession of the ball.
• If Team B wins the ball, one player immediately shows for and receives a pass outside the small field. This player then kicks a high pass, without interference, to one of the two outside attackers, who shows at high speed for the pass (his opponent is only half-active).
• The outside attacker crosses to another midfielder in front of the goal.

Objectives
• Accurate high passes
• Initiating wing attacks

Set Up
• Two teams of six play in a field half.
• One player from each team (the midfielder) has extra duties.
• There are two goals with goalkeepers.

Sequence
The two teams play 6 v. 6 on the two goals with goalkeepers. Various extra requirements highlight the midfielder's role: 
• The midfielder may only kick long passes.
• An opponent is permanently assigned to the midfielder.
The midfielder must pass directly.

Objectives
• Fast counterattacks initiated by the midfielder 
• Safe combination play

Set Up
• Set up two goals with goalkeepers on the ends of a field half.
• Use cones to make the half somewhat narrower. 
• Players form two teams of six. 
• Another player (a midfielder) plays the role of a "neutral player."

Sequence
• The two teams play 6 v. 6 to set up shots and score. The neutral midfielder plays with whichever team has the ball.
• All players are limited to a maximum of two touches, except the neutral "playmaker," who has unlimited touches.

Objectives
• Midfielder constantly involved 
• Speed of play and direction of attack determined by the midfielder

Set Up
• Two attackers play against two man-markers in front of the goal.
• The midfielder stands at the centerline with a number of balls.
• A goalkeeper stands in the goal.

Sequence 
• The midfielder dribbles forward a short distance and tries to get one of the two forwards (who show for the pass) into position to score with a long pass.
• The forwards get away from of their opponents (who are only half-active at first) as follows: They approach their opponents at a moderate pace, then run into open space. They should score directly on the through pass if possible.

Objectives 
• Accurate long passes to the front
• Developing an overview of the game

Set Up
• Two attackers play two 1 v. 1s against two man-markers in front of the goal.
• The midfielder stands at the centerline with a number of balls.
• A goalkeeper stands in the goal.

Sequence
• The midfielder dribbles a relatively long distance toward the goal and tries once again to get one of the two forwards into shooting position with a short pass.
• The forwards get away from of their opponents (who are only half-active at first) as follows: At the right moment, they cross paths at top speed, creating an opening for a well-aimed through pass.
• They should score directly on the pass if possible.

Objectives
• Accurate long passes to the front
• Developing an overview of the game

Set Up
• Two attackers play against two man-markers just beyond one corner of the penalty box.
• Two midfielders stand in the backfield.
• A goalkeeper stands in the goal.

Sequence
• The rear midfielder (A) passes to the forward in front of the penalty box, who drops the ball directly back to the second midfielder (B).
• B controls the ball briefly, then passes to the other forward, who passes back to A again (A has made a high-speed run up the wing in the meantime).
• A dribbles a short distance and crosses to the two forwards in front of the goal.

Objectives
• Accurate crosses from the midfielder
• Initiating wing attacks