DESCRIPTION OF POSITION

Role in the team structure

• Largely a negating role on opposition’s best midfielder
• Minimise effectiveness of opponent
• Role determined by opponent’s style of play
• Integral role at clearances (both winning possession and minimising opponent’s clearances)
• Be used in attack to make opponent accountable and change opponent’s mind set from being totally attacking to having to keep an eye on you as well, if he/she doesn’t man up you can exploit the situation in attack
• A stopper more than a playmaker
• Set the scene in regard to team pursuits

Relationship to other positions in the team

• Work closely with other midfield players, especially at stoppages
• Entire team must be aware of your role so they can help, as opposition will be looking to block and employ tactics that will make things easier for their elite player
• Be prepared to handover to a designated player if your opponent is moving out of the midfield and you are not to go with that player

Player responsibilities for the position

• Tight checking, accountable football
• Limit opponent’s possessions and put pressure on the possessions obtained
• Instructional voice at stoppages
• Help your team win possession at stoppages through blocking or clearing the ball yourself
• Be a viable offensive option at appropriate times (eg Opponent caught out of position or not manning up when your team has clear possession)

Required characteristics

• Competitive
• Good defensive skills and discipline
• Good concentration and the willingness to sacrifice your own attacking game to some degree for the team
• Aerobically fit
• Adept in backline as well as midfield so you can be accountable for your opponent if that player moves forward
• Thrive on 1 on 1 competition
• Read the play and opponent’s thought processes well
• Adaptable game that can be used to match up on players with varied styles of play

Analysis of specialised situations related to the position

• Be used as the ‘hit on’ target in attack or run forward into space from the stoppage to exploit opponent’s lack of accountability. Another player must be designated to take your opponent in this scenario and then handover at the earliest possible time
• At centre square bounces position yourself in their predominant ‘hit to’ spot if your opponent is generally the target, this way you can set up your team’s desired structure and still be close to your opponent rather than going a straight one on one and letting them dictate the positioning
• If your opponent is running to the bench you can run off with the player and when preparing to return to the ground get up and prepare yourself to run on with them
• Double teaming an opponent who is very fit, or is difficult for a midfielder to match up on, if the player goes forward, by having set changes with a player on and off the bench or with a designated defender

Characteristics of successful opposing players

• Play tight negating roles whilst picking up close to 20 possessions themselves
• Good clearance players
• Intimidators or ferocious
• Hard nuts
• Fit

COACHING THE RUCK ROVER (DEFENSIVE/RUN WITH ROLE)

Key points to get across to player(s)

• Accountable football is the starting point and predominant mind set
• Must be prepared to counter-attack to make opponent work both ways to hurt them if they are not prepared to do so
• There are different ways to play different players depending on whether they tend to win their own ball, play outside or in congestion etc. Therefore you need to be adaptable
• Must constantly apply pressure both physically and mentally
• Your performance is measured by team pursuits and the performance of your direct opponent as much as your attacking plays
• That the role of defensive midfielder has evolved from a straight out tagger to encompass the ability to win the ball at clearances and around the ground, defensive skills are the strength of your game but there must be more strings to your bow if you are to succeed in the role

Specific Training

• Competitive stoppage work concentrating on position, winning possession and preventing clean clearances by opposition
• Transitional drills or games where turnovers or a signal by the coach initiates a rapid move from defense into attack or vice versa to simulate quickly picking up your opponent or looking to work off them
• Basic tackling, spoiling and shepherding drills to improve defensive skills
• Shadowing another player through an agility circuit or in an enclosed area trying to keep contact with them
• Being assigned a player in basic handball games or match practice who gets a bonus point for the team every time the player gets possession, so that you have to work hard to prevent this. It will also create more blocks from your opponent’s team and create greater assistance from your team mates, helping to stimulate the conditions you will face in a match

Specific pre-match preparation

• Watch video and speak to coaches or team mates who have played on your opponent previously to gain a very good understanding of the way they play and any weaknesses or strengths they have
• Develop a strategy in your mind of how you will ideally play them and have back up strategies ready if the original method is not working as planned
• Incorporate these plans where appropriate in training drills during the week
• Talk to other midfielders or appropriate players to let them know they will have to pick up your opponent at times during the game and/or to keep applying physical pressure on them throughout the game

Helpful hints to becoming a better player

• Identify areas where you are struggling against the elite players, identify trends such as always being outmarked 1 on 1, or not being able to run with them late in the game and work to rectify these areas
• Keep track of what has and hasn’t worked against particular players (in writing or your head) because you often come up against the same opponents in this role and will be able to put your experience to good use
• Always look for a weakness in your opponent’s game and endeavour to exploit or expose this
• Don’t become obsessed with your opponent, remember to divide your focus between negating your opponent and winning the ball

This article has been done as part of the Level 2 Coaching Course