I am a central midfielder, and I know the position reasonably well, but I've only been made a centre-mid in the last year so I still have a lot to learn.

Can anyone give me some good advice?

Thanks.

depends what u r more of, i personally think theree should be as et on atk mid n a def mid, if teams have like one runs n u stay back n when u attack i stay back, it is pretty messed up unless u r fully disciplined.
"5. Defensive midfielder
The defensive midfielder is the backbone of the team. His job is similar to that of the sweeper with the exception that he operates in front of the defense, between the offensive midfielders and the stopper. He roams laterally from sideline to sideline, usually pressuring the ball. If any of his teammates gets beaten in the middle of the field, the defensive midfielder is expected to provide backup.
In offense, the defensive midfielder must stay behind the attacking line, collecting rebounds and miss-kicks. He is also expected to make supporting runs and give back pass options, especially when the ball is out, near the sideline. Brazil's former captain Dungha is a good example of a defensive midfielder. He led his team to the World Cup final in both '94 and '98. Claude Makelele of Chelsea is another more recent example. Both of them are agressive tacklers and are always well positioned."

"#8. or #7. Attacking / Offensive midfielder
Offensive midfielders are usually the fittest players in a team, considering that they have to be (directly or indirectly) involved with the ball during every attack. Apart from their top form, midfielders need to have good technical ability. When a skillful midfielder is dribbling, he is not supposed to look at his feet but should be scanning the field for open spaces and teammates making runs. In a sense, the midfielder needs to possess enough skill so that he can concentrate on his primary job of distributing the ball without worrying about the mechanics involved. Overall, the job requires stamina, skill as well as vision and tactical understanding.
When his team does not have possession, the offensive midfielder is to stay behind the ball, usually pressuring it or marking a nearby enemy. In offense the attacking midfielder should be in involved in the action by making runs towards the ball. Even before he gets it, he should already know where and how he wants to distribute it. Zinedine Zidane of France, Carlos Valderrama of Columbia and Krasimir Balakov of Bulgaria are great examples of offensive midfielders.
Offensive midfielders who are very influential in their team's attack are given the title "playmakers". During the 1960s and 70s many teams had at least one playmaker who directed most offensive movement."
Two quotes above r from www.expertfootball.com

I've recently converted to CM also and the best thing I've done to help so far is study other players such as Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard and Michael Carrick, although I also watched the England Under 21's the other night and Gary O'Neill put in a great performance in that position and really showed how to play both attacking and defending as a CM.

Thanks zizou for that very helpful information. I am an attacking midfielder, definitely. I study Riquelme closely every time he plays, and I've downloaded all of his compilations. He is the role model for me.

I believe I have the right qualities to be a good playmaker, the main thing I need to work on is my stamina. Once that builds up I think I will be a good playmaker.

Thanks again! I appreciate it greatly.

Well I usually play either right mid or upfront but I woudnt mind playing in the middle, Especially if ur in a good team coz it really helps, u have to be really fit and know exactly where everything is around u or else u will get stuck with the ball at ur feet and 2 opposition players right next to ya.
Im not that fit and not that tall so playing CM is pretty hard for me.

You don't need to be tall to be a centre-mid. Look at Diego Maradona, David Pizarro, Emre, Pablo Aimar and Murdocca.

Fitness can be acquired with some discipline and hard work.

A good first touch is extremely important, if ball control is poor there is no chance.

Practicing first touch I throw the ball high and relatively hard against a wall and try to control it. It improves your touch a lot.

Good throughballs are also vital, I guess the only way to practice these is by playing games and watching playmakers on TV. That's what I do.

Anyway, I don't see how a centre-mid has to be any fitter than a winger. In the centre you're less likely to have speed bursts or accelerations, as opposed to playing on the wing. Sprinting takes up a lot more energy than just running.

Look at Riquelme, he never sprints with the ball, EVER. Always cool, calm, composed, looking for a smart pass or wriggling his way patiently through defences.

Bloody hell, what a question.

I suggest you track my posts and read them all.

I give out information that is gold dust and comes straight from State coaching manuals and Aussie national squad training.

I'm new, but the more I post, the more there is to read.

True but in Aus and at the age i am at now usually its the bigger and faster who "wins". But fitness is my own thing i gotta just work on.

Many clubs in Aus go for strength and speed initally, especially around the U14/U15 age group. There are various pros and cons of each. Suffice to say, Paul Scholes is a short ar$e midfielder with amazing talent, who I believe, if memory serves me, had no endurance when he was younger (don't quote me on that one).

Everyone grows at different rates which can be incredibly frustrating. The guys who are big and strong first, do end up being at a disadvantage if they're not careful. They end up relying on Str and Spe as the other players are smaller. When everyone catches up in height, that advantage diminishes if they have not worked on it.

It's sad, but clubs continually pick the Str and Spe, Blacktown is an example of that, in recent years they tend to pick those players. Then they keep the players that are strongest, and dump the ones that failed to live up to their stature.

In the end, it is the fully rounded player, who will have a chance to succeed.

yeh true alot of premier youth league teams go on strength and speed but ah well just gotta wait now

well football is the pinnacle of my life so if in order to play football I must be fast and strong, then I will become fast and strong.

I have already above-average speed and average strenght. Soon the latter will become a lot better.

It just takes personal discipline, confidence in own abilities and hard work.

"Hard work pays off"

Roy Keane autobiography is superb for motivation and determination. There's a guy who was smaller than average and got knocked back from decent teams as a teenager because of his size. He .. well ... have a read. Has some amazing quotes about what he thought about when he was training in the pouring rain, howling wind, freezing cold, just to keep himself motivated.

center mid is the best! i recommend u taking a look at kaka's game, i look up to him for inspiration on the field.

it also depends on what formation u play centeral midfeilder has different responsitbilites in different formations

Also realize where you playing and take a professional player like Roy Keane and watch him the whole game his everymove where he is where the ball is why he is in the position he is in take them and apply it to you game watch a few midfeilders and take what the do similar

How is your playing career going jogabonito?

I play Center and you've just got to have CONFIDENCE! you've pretty much have to always be the guy everyone depends on...

You have to go back and help defend and attack, so your gonna run alot!

but just make your good passes, create open space and just be a captian basically!

i'm a right winger by trade but training to be centre mid now....people say i'm good at tackelin g so

i agree with oni.
confidence is key. i played a game for the first team of my school, after getting moved up from the seconds and the first half i was almost hiding and was just going through the paces, at half time we got told we should start playing it around and get stuck into them and my confidence grew i called for the ball more recieved it more, as well as challenging for the ball and putting myself around more.
and at centre mid, you cant hide, you've gotta be wanting the ball and challenging for it because you've got get your team moving.

You set the pace and tone of the game from CM, and you have to be confident and WANT the ball at all times.

When the CB's have it is when you are most important, a fact often overlooked, if you don't go and offer for it and get it, they will hoof it long, and the rest of the game it will be going over your head.

You need to want the ball and pass it and get it back, pass and move constantly, support attack and help the defence. You need to be vocal and dictate play, and make sure you don't sit too deep ontop of your defence, or leave htem out numbered

hey guys,i like to play in this position too...but my dribble is shit,first touch poor...poor composure...when someone pressures me,i lose the ball straight away...i only pass and shoot...the tip i found here is that u have to always want the ball...

You play in the Premier Youth League? What age? And what club?

^^ That might not be the 'Premier' youth league as in, Arsenal, Man Utd and the like.

For instance i play in the 'Midland 'Premier' League' and it's made up of U16s teams from around the Conference level so it's a half way between Sunday league and academy.

Mate we're talking about in Sydney in Australia. The Premier Youth League contains probably the best young teams in Australia. New South Wales is easily the strongest state football wise in Australia.