holding midfielder
Central defensive midfielder
A holding midfielder is a soccer player positioned in front of the defense whose primary job is to protect the backline and disrupt opposing attacks.
Unlike attacking midfielders who push forward, holding midfielders stay deep, intercept passes, win tackles, and recycle possession.
Also called a defensive midfielder or, in tactical shorthand, a number six: Every great team needs a reliable holding midfielder.
Gear or takedown
- interceptionSeizing something in transit
- blockSolid mass, or impede
- markingIndicating with symbols
- clearancePermitted passage or approval
cover · pressing · positioning · recovery · tracking · shielding · pressure · closing down
Secures ships to seabed
- pivotPoint of rotation
- enforcerOne who ensures compliance
- deep-lyingExisting far down
- controllerDevice directing a system
shield · distributor · interceptor · sweeper · metronome · link-up · organizer · protector
Moving by or temporary
- visionAbility to see
- tempoRate of musical performance
- possessionState of owning
- recyclingReprocessing used materials
circulation · long ball · outlet · transition · composure · first touch · playmaking
Creation or arrangement
- positioningArranging in specific locations
- spacingInterval arrangement between objects
- screeningEvaluative selection process
- game managementOverseeing huntable animal populations
Sustained effort capacity
- staminaCapacity for sustained effort
- fitnessGood physical shape
- resilienceCapacity to recover quickly
- tirelessnessPersistent endurance without exhaustion
toughness · durability · strength · robustness · staying power · conditioning · engine · box-to-box
tackle
Gear or takedown
- interceptionSeizing something in transit
- blockSolid mass, or impede
- markingIndicating with symbols
clearance · cover · pressing · positioning · recovery · tracking · shielding · pressure · closing down · anticipation
anchor
Secures ships to seabed
- pivotPoint of rotation
- enforcerOne who ensures compliance
- deep-lyingExisting far down
controller · shield · distributor · interceptor · sweeper · metronome · link-up · organizer · protector · stabilizer
passing
Moving by or temporary
- visionAbility to see
- tempoRate of musical performance
- possessionState of owning
recycling · circulation · long ball · outlet · transition · composure · first touch · playmaking
formation
Creation or arrangement
- positioningArranging in specific locations
- spacingInterval arrangement between objects
- screeningEvaluative selection process
endurance
Sustained effort capacity
- staminaCapacity for sustained effort
- fitnessGood physical shape
- resilienceCapacity to recover quickly
tirelessness · toughness · durability · strength · robustness · staying power · conditioning · engine · box-to-box · combative
- defendersdefender, guard, protector, guardian, keeper
- soccer positionsgoalkeeper, striker, defenders, wingers, fullbacks
- soccer tacticsformation, pressing, passing, counter-attack, counterattack
- defensive midfieldersdestroyer, anchor man
- midfieldersplaymaker, box-to-box, anchorman, half-back, number six
holding midfielderattacking midfielder
Offense-focused central creator
playmaker · striker · centre forward · forward · target man
holding, holder, holders, holdings, behold, beholden, withhold, uphold, middle