1. Two, Three, Four
The number of halfbacks, also called midfielders, on a soccer field is dependent upon the team, and can change throughout the game. Soccer teams play with different formations which can include two, three or four halfbacks. There are always 11 players on the soccer field, including the goalie, but the coach decides how many players to use in the offensive, defensive and midfield lines. Teams that emphasize offense may choose to use only two midfielders and four strikers. Likewise, a team that is put in a position of needing to heavily defend its goal, might opt to use five defenders and three midfielders. The most common formations include three or four halfbacks.
2. The Fittest Players on the Field
Halfbacks are constantly running, unlike forwards or defenders who might get a minute to catch their breath when the ball is at the other end of the field. When midfielders aren't sprinting to the ball or to support a teammate, they should be running at the pace needed to keep up with game play. Because of this, it's important for midfielders to stay fit and dedicate time to their conditioning. Players with good endurance often do well in a halfback position.
3. On the Offense
When the ball is being played in the opposing teams half, particularly the 18-yard box, midfielders should act as if they are strikers by finding opportunities to shoot the ball. It's also the midfielders' job to play the ball from the sidelines to the center of the field in order to provide scoring opportunities to the forwards. When the ball goes out of bounds in the opposing team's half, the ball should be thrown in by a midfielder so a forward isn't taken out of play.
4. Defense, Too
Midfielders continuously play defense, even when they are playing in the other team's half. When the team is on the offense, the midfielders' goal should be to keep the ball out of their own half. When the ball is in their half, the midfielders' job is to move the ball forward, or at the very least, keep the ball from moving farther toward their goal. Halfbacks provide additional defense when the other team has a corner kick.
5. Support System
Playing midfield is not usually a glory position. Halfbacks are on the field to support the forwards and defenders. They hold the team together on the field by constantly transitioning between supporting the forwards and helping defend their goal. When the ball is being played in a midfielder's 18-yard box, he or she should drop back and play as another defender until the ball is cleared out of the box. Once the ball is cleared, the midfielders should play the ball up the field to the forwards and then provide support to the offensive line.
The number of halfbacks, also called midfielders, on a soccer field is dependent upon the team, and can change throughout the game. Soccer teams play with different formations which can include two, three or four halfbacks. There are always 11 players on the soccer field, including the goalie, but the coach decides how many players to use in the offensive, defensive and midfield lines. Teams that emphasize offense may choose to use only two midfielders and four strikers. Likewise, a team that is put in a position of needing to heavily defend its goal, might opt to use five defenders and three midfielders. The most common formations include three or four halfbacks.
2. The Fittest Players on the Field
Halfbacks are constantly running, unlike forwards or defenders who might get a minute to catch their breath when the ball is at the other end of the field. When midfielders aren't sprinting to the ball or to support a teammate, they should be running at the pace needed to keep up with game play. Because of this, it's important for midfielders to stay fit and dedicate time to their conditioning. Players with good endurance often do well in a halfback position.
3. On the Offense
When the ball is being played in the opposing teams half, particularly the 18-yard box, midfielders should act as if they are strikers by finding opportunities to shoot the ball. It's also the midfielders' job to play the ball from the sidelines to the center of the field in order to provide scoring opportunities to the forwards. When the ball goes out of bounds in the opposing team's half, the ball should be thrown in by a midfielder so a forward isn't taken out of play.
4. Defense, Too
Midfielders continuously play defense, even when they are playing in the other team's half. When the team is on the offense, the midfielders' goal should be to keep the ball out of their own half. When the ball is in their half, the midfielders' job is to move the ball forward, or at the very least, keep the ball from moving farther toward their goal. Halfbacks provide additional defense when the other team has a corner kick.
5. Support System
Playing midfield is not usually a glory position. Halfbacks are on the field to support the forwards and defenders. They hold the team together on the field by constantly transitioning between supporting the forwards and helping defend their goal. When the ball is being played in a midfielder's 18-yard box, he or she should drop back and play as another defender until the ball is cleared out of the box. Once the ball is cleared, the midfielders should play the ball up the field to the forwards and then provide support to the offensive line.
