A grassroots football coaching publication

7v7 · Issue 02 · Chapter 3 · Position four of five

The two midfielders

Different angles, together

11 · 7 · The two midfielders7v7 · 3-2-1
One midfielder can show short while the other offers the next option further ahead.Midfielder 11 is closer to the defending players as a short passing choice, while midfielder 7 is positioned higher near the striker, forming two different supporting lines.1173521179SHORTHIGH

One midfielder can show short while the other offers the next option further ahead.

Recover near enough to help the back three; don't let the space in front of them go empty.The opposition have the ball. Midfielders 11 and 7 are closer to the defenders than before and protect the space in front of centre-back 5 and the outside defenders.1173521179HELP

Recover near enough to help the back three; don't let the space in front of them go empty.

How We Play illustration based on reviewed guidance. Starting positions are not fixed.
Key
  • Us
  • Ball
  • Run
  • Started here
  • Them
  • Key space

Ask yourself

Where is my partner? What can I offer?
✓ Coaching reviewed · 22 October 2026

Written by Niall Walsh, grassroots football coach and founder of How We Play. Coaching reviewed by David Wilson on 22 October 2026.

Your jobs

  1. Try not to stand flat together: one can offer a short pass while the other looks further forwards.
  2. Share the job of supporting our striker instead of leaving them isolated.
  3. Find different spaces to receive when the back three are in possession.
  4. Recover towards the middle to help defend when we lose the ball.
  5. Swap the higher and deeper roles so both players learn different decisions.

Principles this position uses

  1. Principle 3One short, one higherCan we give two different passes?
  2. Principle 4Don't leave nine aloneWho's close enough to help nine?