The 8 touches the ball constantly and needs to be comfortable in tight spaces, aware of what's around them, and fit enough to work both ways. In a 4-4-2, the two central midfielders share the 6 and 8 jobs.
Midfield · number 8
Central midfielder (number 8)
A central midfielder (the number 8) links defence and attack. They receive under pressure, keep the ball moving, make runs between and beyond the opponent's lines, and help win it back. In a midfield three, the 8s sit either side of the 6 and get forward to support the attack.
The central midfielder in each formation
With the ball, without it, and in transition
With the ball: Find space between the lines, receive facing forward, and support the striker with late runs.
Without the ball: Press the opponent's midfielders, stay compact with the other midfielders, and cover the 6.
When the ball changes hands: Counter-press when the ball's lost nearby; break forward quickly when it's won.
A (centre-back) plays into B (striker), who comes short. As the ball goes, C (midfielder) starts running.
More boards: Gegenpress (counter-press) · High press
Skills a central midfielder needs
⚽ Technical
- Receiving on the half-turn
- Passing range
- Shooting from the edge of the box
🧠 Tactical
- Scanning
- Third-man runs
- Pressing triggers
💪 Physical
- Endurance
- Agility
❤️ Mental
- Decision-making under pressure
- Work rate
Team drills for central midfielders
Receiving on the half-turn6 to 12 players · U9 to adult
Third-man passing pattern (Y shape)6 to 10 players · U11 to adult
4-3-3 midfield triangle rondo (6v3)9 players · U13 to adult
Possession with neutrals (4v4+2)10 players · U9 to adult
Long-range shooting game8 to 14 plus 2 keepers players · U11 to adult
Scanning game: colour cones6 to 16 players · U8 to U14Practise at home
Drills a central 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 footTwo-touch wall anglesOpen up, touch across, pass · 20 passesReceive and turn off the wallSide-on, receive, turn · 12 turnsRecovery sprintsTurn, sprint, goal-side · 6 sprintsScan and callLook before it arrives · 20 passes
🔁 Central 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
- Xavi Hernández: Constant scanning and passing that kept the ball for club and country.
- Luka Modrić: Outside-of-the-foot passes and control of the game's rhythm.
- Kevin De Bruyne: Passing range and crosses from central and right-sided midfield areas.
- Ella Toone: Clever movement between the lines and goals from midfield for England.
For grassroots coaches
- Young players who are always looking around make great 8s.
- Small-sided possession games build the habits.
- Encourage shots from midfield: they score more than you'd think.
Questions people ask
What is a number 8 in football?
A central midfielder who links defence and attack, works box to box and supports attacks with runs and passes.
What does CM mean in football?
Central midfielder.
What's the difference between a CM and a CAM?
A CM covers both halves of the pitch; a CAM (number 10) plays higher, between the opponent's midfield and defence.
Other positions
Defensive midfielder (number 6)
A defensive midfielder (CDM, the number 6) plays just in front of the defence.
Read →Box-to-box midfielder
A box-to-box midfielder works from one penalty area to the other.
Read →Attacking midfielder (number 10)
An attacking midfielder (CAM, the number 10) plays between the opponent's midfield and defence.
Read →← All football positions · Formations · Practise at home
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