The 10 is the team's creator. They need a great first touch, awareness of where defenders are, and the courage to try the pass that unlocks a defence.
Midfield · number 10
Attacking midfielder (number 10)
An attacking midfielder (CAM, the number 10) plays between the opponent's midfield and defence. They find pockets of space, receive facing forward, and create chances with passes, dribbles and shots. Without the ball they press the opponent's holding midfielder, often alongside the striker.
The attacking midfielder in each formation
With the ball, without it, and in transition
With the ball: Find space between the lines, receive on the half-turn, and play the final pass or shoot.
Without the ball: Press the opponent's 6 and block passes into their midfield.
When the ball changes hands: When the ball's won, get on the ball quickly: the 10 makes counters happen.
A (centre-back) plays into B (striker), who comes short. As the ball goes, C (midfielder) starts running.
More boards: Counter-attack
Skills a attacking midfielder needs
⚽ Technical
- First touch
- Through passes
- Shooting and dribbling
🧠 Tactical
- Finding pockets of space
- Scanning
💪 Physical
- Agility
- Balance
❤️ Mental
- Creativity
- Courage to try things
Team drills for attacking midfielders
4-2-3-1: finding the number 10 between the lines12 to 14 players · U13 to adult
Receiving on the half-turn6 to 12 players · U9 to adult
Third-man passing pattern (Y shape)6 to 10 players · U11 to adult
One-two and shoot6 to 14 plus a keeper players · U9 to adult
Long-range shooting game8 to 14 plus 2 keepers players · U11 to adultPractise at home
Drills a attacking midfielder can do alone with a ball and a wall. Or follow the circuit below: timer, beeps and every station shown.
V pull-backsPull back, push away, make a V · 15 each footReceive and turn off the wallSide-on, receive, turn · 12 turnsTarget zones on a wallCall it, hit it · 16 shotsTurn and shootCheck, turn, shoot · 10 shotsVolleys from your own feedHead still, toes down · 10 volleysScan and callLook before it arrives · 20 passes
🔁 Attacking midfielder home circuit
7 minutes · 7 stations · 40s on, 20s rest. Turn the sound on for the beeps. Clear the space first, and younger players should have an adult nearby.
Coaches: send this circuit or any home drill to a player from your team hub, and see how they got on.
Players to watch
- Zinedine Zidane: Close control and vision that made him one of the great playmakers.
- Fran Kirby: England's creative attacking midfielder, scoring and setting up goals.
- Martin Ødegaard: Finds space between the lines and plays the killer pass.
- Kaká: Ran powerfully from deep to create and score.
For grassroots coaches
- Give creative players freedom, and praise the attempt as well as the outcome.
- Teach the half-turn: it's the 10's most important skill.
Questions people ask
What does CAM mean?
Central attacking midfielder: the number 10 who plays behind the striker.
What does a number 10 do in football?
Creates chances from between the lines, links midfield and attack, and scores goals.
What's the difference between a 10 and a false 9?
A 10 starts in midfield behind a striker; a false 9 starts as the striker and drops into midfield.
Other positions
False 9
A false 9 starts as the centre-forward but drops deep into midfield instead of staying high.
Read →Central midfielder (number 8)
A central midfielder (the number 8) links defence and attack.
Read →Striker (number 9)
A striker (the number 9) leads the attack.
Read →← All football positions · Formations · Practise at home
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