The link between the defense and the offense in soccer is the midfield. The midfield players have both defensive and offensive duties. They are required to have exceptional passing skills as well as a good first touch to receive a pass. Midfield is the engine room of the team, often starting an attack on your opponent's goal. Whichever team dominates the midfield essentially dominates the game. The midfield is made up of a number of specialist positions.
Central
The two central midfielders are the workhorses of the team. They will run farther and have more of the ball than any other player on the team. As Katie Chapman notes on the BBC website, if you don't have the ball as a midfielder, then you have to win it by tackling someone. Once you have the ball, you must look for an attacking pass. Get forward to support your attackers in promising situations.
Wingers
The two players that are positioned on the edges of the pitch in midfield are called ''wingers." These midfielders are often players with lightening pace or who have an ability to cross or pass the ball with exceptional accuracy. These players will run down the sides of the pitch and cross the ball into the danger area for the offensive players to try to score. They also sometimes stay back and help the backs with defensive duties.
Sweeper
The sweeper is a specialist position that is used only when there are five players in defense. Although primarily a midfielder, the sweeper will sit behind the defense when the team does not have the ball. It is the sweeper's duty to win the ball in this centrally defensive area and then have the composure and tactical know-how to bring the ball out and link up with the midfield to start an attack.
Extra Man
The importance of dominating the midfield is key to the game of soccer. Putting an extra defensive minded-player in the midfield provides some safety and gives attacking-minded players the license to get forward. As the SkySports website shows, England coach Fabio Capello used a 4-3-3 formation successfully against Wales. A 4-3-3 is the shape the team takes when attacking, with two midfielders getting forward to help the attacker. In defense mode, the shape reverts to 4-5-1, with two midfielders dropping back, leaving a lone attacker upfront.
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