Vertical and diagonal options
Scan 360°, move outside the cover shadow and turn forward when possible; protect or lay off if tightly marked.
View source principle ↗CLUBHOUSE / FALL 2026
Holding midfielder
Club game model · 11v11 / 4-3-3
Custom build example. This illustrates what we can create with you, not a ready-made Trimmer platform. Your branding, features, and workflows are defined around your club. Discuss your idea
Fictional players and staff · Saved session plans, game-day presentations and academy trips stay on this site. Other demo changes reset when you leave or reload.
Fictional players and staff · Saved session plans, game-day presentations and academy trips stay on this site. Other demo changes reset when you leave or reload.
THE CLUB MODEL / INDIVIDUAL RESPONSIBILITIES
11v11 / 4-3-3Holding midfielder
ROLE 6See this role in a player IDP
Holding midfielder
Connect the back line to the attack and protect the space in front of the centre-backs.
Source family: Central Midfielder · 6, 8, 10
U.S. Soccer Position Profiles, pp. 3, 7.
Physical qualities
Agility, endurance, quickness and use of the body to protect possession.
Reading the game
Spatial awareness, quick decisions, creativity and ball security.
Club set-piece role
Control the edge of the box and the second ball; keep central balance.
Switch to the weak side
Choose the tempo: play or carry forward, combine, disguise a pass or switch to the free side.
View source principle ↗Keep a defensive shape behind the ball
Hold behind the ball to recycle and protect against the first counter pass.
View source principle ↗Role behaviors summarize the supplied Position Profiles. Exact runs, support assignments, set-piece roles and practice tasks are this fictional club’s applications. Physical qualities are descriptive, not player ratings.
POSITIONAL PRACTICE / 4-3-3 CONTEXT
In possessionPlay through the first line
Club practice application: Provide options to play forward / Vertical and diagonal options
GK draws the first line. Centre-backs separate.
Your role in this exercise
Scan 360°, move outside the cover shadow and turn forward when possible; protect or lay off if tightly marked.
Organization
GK, back four and pivot against three pressing forwards plus two interiors. Use the defensive half at full width, with two target gates just beyond halfway representing the interiors.
Shown on one side of the pitch; mirror the activity for the opposite fullback, interior or winger.
Game task
Start with the goalkeeper. Find the pivot or fullback facing forward and pass through a target gate. If the press wins it, attack the full-size goal immediately. Restart from different sides.
What to observe
The receiving player has scanned, moved out of the cover shadow and has a useful next action.
Progression
Add the two attacking interiors as live targets and allow a pressing midfielder to track them.
EXAMPLE EXERCISE VIDEO
Watch the coaching walkthrough
Club-authored exercise and animated walkthrough, applying the linked principles. Players retain their 11v11 roles. This illustrates the task; it is not match footage or an exercise supplied by U.S. Soccer.