In a recent The Overlap episode, the panel discussed the 'modern day number six' position, how it's evolved and how/where full backs can struggle when they play in there. Although the position has become extremely specialized over the years, it's not a new concept. The 4-4-2 system (which was prevalent for many years) naturally meant that two midfielders had to compliment each other... one stayed, one went... simple stuff. But with systems and rotations today, we are seeing more numbers in there and roles have to be defined in order to establish balance, hence maybe the specialization component of how we look at it today.
What was interesting in the podcast discussion was how difficult Scholes and Keane see the position itself. Two of the Premier League greats are not sitting there saying, "yeah, we did it like this back in the day" - far from it. Scholes references the complimentary aspect of who you are in there with. Keane discusses the pictures and how difficult it is to receive from different angles, dictate tempo, and then be aggressive on the other side of the ball. In the breakdown below, we take a look at the differences and how you can potentially coach that with three exercise ideas.
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Below are three FREE exercises that you can try with your team:
Exercise 1:
9v9 game organized in a 25x60 yard area with two 5-yard horizontal channels in the middle
Players are free to move anywhere around the area
The channels are designed to incentivize the number six to drop in and then play progressive passes into the attacking players
The first zone is 'two touches' where the number six can drop in without being tackled and then receive to play forward
The second zone is a 'one touch zone' where attackers can drop into without being tackled and combine with teammates to then create chances
Play 2x9 minute games
Exercise 2:
8v8 game organized in a 25x60 yard area with two 10x10 yard squares in the middle
Players are free to move anywhere around the area
The squares are designed to incentivize the number six in each team to drop in and receive to play forward or combine with defenders
The ball does not have to be played into the central square, but if a goal is scored as a result of possession involved in the lower square, the goal counts for two points
Play 2x9 minute games
Exercise 3:
Two teams of six players are organized into a 60x25 yard area split into three zones (with two players in each zone)
The objective of the game is to play through the three zones before scoring. Teams can score in transition if it’s within six seconds of the ball being regained.
All players are limited to move only in their own zones, with one exception:
The neutral is free to move anywhere
Play 2x9 minute games
