A team’s chances of success in modern football rely heavily on the qualities of their holding midfielder. Especially in the build-up phase, the ‘6’ becomes a de facto quarterback whose movements and decisions impact every other player. Technique, movement and tactical understanding are the core attributes that determine the calibre of these playmakers.
This tactical theory will analyze the movements and traits of one of the highest-performing holding midfielders at this year’s Euros and at European club level. Rodri will be used in this analysis to highlight the traits that make him one of the best players in his specific position. The analysis will use examples from this year’s European Championship and show how the UEFA Champions League winner is as instrumental to his country as he has been for Pep Guardiola‘s Manchester City. This tactical analysis will offer suggestions on how coaches can develop and/or improve their holding midfield player’s tactics and technique through some example practice exercises.
Rodri’s timing and body shape
In this example, Rodri proves the effectiveness that simple movements, and importantly, the timing of those movements, can have when progressing the ball. As Rodri’s midfield partner passed the ball backwards to his left centre-back, the four-time Premier League winner stayed away from the ball, almost looking disinterested in partaking in the play.
Just as the centre-back was about to receive the ball, Rodri burst away from his marker to show for the ball. By waiting until the last second, Rodri made himself impossible to pick up and created the five yards of space he required to receive the ball.
Rodri, aware of his surroundings and having created enough separation from the nearest defender, knows he can then open up. Importantly, he does this as the ball is travelling to him. His previous closed body orientation acted as a trigger for the nearest opposition player to press him as the ball was passed. His open body allows him to see his next pass and play first time around the onrushing pressing player. Although, in this example, he does not receive it, Rodri made himself available for a bounce pass (on the now) blindside side of the pressing player.
In this example, when receiving from his goalkeeper, the simplicity of Rodri’s movement and his original positioning, coupled with his awareness obtained through constant scanning, allows the midfielder to let the ball roll across him.
With his back to the nearest pressing player, his initial body orientation allows him to keep the ball on his safe side. He is able to cleanly advance the ball 20 yards higher up the pitch without even touching it. It is at this point, whilst on the move, he plays the ball into the path of Lamine Yamal, and within two passes, Spain are attacking the opposition’s backline.
Standing still to receive
The above images show Rodri, arriving from a centre-back position, sneaking behind the opposition’s first line of pressure when the ball is in the wide area. This central zone is an area often deliberately left empty by Spain to allow players to move into it, out of sight of the defending players.
When in this pocket of space, Rodri, instead of constantly moving with the ball, stands still. Too often in these scenarios, midfielders waste energy by moving constantly and often reduce their own space by making movements towards the ball. Here, as the ball is passed across his back line, Rodri remains static, allowing passing lanes to open up as his teammates move the ball.
As the ball is moving, Rodri scans continually to take in his surroundings. When a pass into him becomes available, he is aware enough to receive in this space despite being surrounded by opposition players. By remaining relatively still, he is comfortable enough to control the ball. Receiving the ball here attracts pressure from all sides, opening up multiple teammates.
Protecting the ball
This image, similar to when Rodri received from his goalkeeper, shows his intelligence in protecting the ball. By initially scanning before receiving the ball and then playing with his head up, Rodri knows where the pressure is going to arrive from. As he sees he is being pressed, he orientates his body between the pressing player and the ball.
As he is about to take the impact, he braces by lowering his body and bending his knees. This gives him more stability and allows him to rebuff the challenge whilst keeping the ball safe. Of course, Rodri possesses height and strength that no doubt aids him in this situation. However, it is how he uses his physical attributes that make him so hard to dispossess.
‘6’ Passing Sequence
This passing sequence is designed to develop midfield players’ receiving and combining abilities. It embeds the subtle movements, body orientation and timings required to play the holding midfield role.
The sequence begins with player ‘A’ passing into the middle to ‘B’, who has opened their body up to receive and play a first-time pass to ‘C’. As the ball is bounced wide, ‘A’ makes an overlapping run to receive a bounce pass on the other side of the mannequin. ‘A’ then plays the ball to the other side, with ‘C’ making the central run and the sequence starting over.
A progression for this exercise is for the player on the outside to receive a bounce pass. This develops players’ ability to create separation from their marker to then exploit the space behind their direct opponent when they jump to the ball. Coaches should emphasize an initial closed body shape to act as a pressing trigger for the opposition before opening up to provide the possibility of playing forward. The timing should be to burst into space just as the previous pass is about to reach their teammate. This makes the working player more difficult to pick up.
‘6’ transitional rondo
This rondo is designed to work on 6’s receiving in pockets of space surrounded by opposition players. It simulates the scenario of Rodri receiving standing still beyond the first line of pressure.
The ‘6’ is a neutral player, playing for whichever team has the ball, in the centre of the box. The in-possession team is dispersed, with one player on each side. All four of the defending team players are inside the box. The attacking team aims to keep possession and score points by finding the ‘6’. Points are awarded when the ‘6’ receives and plays out to any one of the other side players. Should the defending team win the ball, they become the attacking team by finding the ‘6’ before replacing the side players. Whichever team scores the most points in the set time given is the winner. To encourage the defending team to be aggressive in pressing, points can also be given for a certain number of passes made, regardless if it goes through the ‘6’.
Depending on the level of player working with, a defender can be removed to increase chances of success. This can be done by adding a neutral to one of the sides with both teams then having three players each.
The working player should, as much as possible, allow the ball to do the work and not move too frantically. This, in a match, would allow the midfielder to receive behind the line of defence and receive calmly. They should be encouraged to scan to make themselves aware of the positioning of the opposition and their teammates.
Three-zone game
This narrow three zone game is designed to work on the ‘6’s’ movements in the build-up phase in a game-like scenario.
Each team is made up of a goalkeeper, two centre-backs, two central-midfielders, and two forwards—a neutral player, who is a designated ‘6’ plays for the in-possession team. The ‘6’ can move freely between the in-possession team’s defensive and midfield zones, creating an overload in each zone. Depending on the coach’s preference, the centre-backs and forwards must remain in their respective zones, with one or both of the central midfielders permitted to join the attacking zone when the ball enters it.
The ‘6’ should be coached on their movements and positioning to create space for themselves and midfield teammates. When receiving in front of the opponent’s midfielders, emphasis should be placed on the timing of these movements and their body orientation.
Conclusion
In the modern game, the holding midfield, or ‘6’ position, requires a very high level of tactical understanding, technique and composure. What makes Rodri such a standout player is that not only is he a tactical master with immaculate technique, he has the calmness and physical strength to match these attributes.
A big part of what makes Rodri and other holding midfielders so crucial to the team can often be seen without them even touching the ball. Their movements can allow other players to receive the ball in more advanced positions.
To develop and improve players in the holding midfield role requires extensive work on the fundamentals of the position. It begins with constant scanning to know where the next pass will be and where the pressure is going to arrive from and learning to position your body to protect or advance the ball. Optimal movements to drag opponents and the timing of these movements can be added to develop players aspiring to be of Rodris calibre.
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