Entry #1: The Art of the #8

 The Art of the #8

Controlling the Midfield

  

    One hobby that I enjoy in my free time is soccer. I have been playing since I was 5, and I find that it has many benefits that carry over into my daily life. It develops cooperation skills and teamwork, and teaches people to find the right balance between being self-fulfilling and sacrificing for the benefit of a larger group. Communication and leadership are also important skills that can be learned from playing a team sport such as soccer. It is particularly important for the position that I play, which is as a central midfielder, or a #8.

What is a #8?

    The #8 position is also known as the center midfield position. These are the players that sit in the heart of a team's formation, and link the defense (back line) to the attack. Depending on the formation, they may feature alongside a defensive midfielder or attacking midfielder, but they will always serve as a bridge between the attacking and defensive units. A couple of common formations that they'll feature in are the 4-3-3, and the 3-4-3.

     As we can see, the center midfielders can form a 2 or 3-man unit in the heart of the pitch, and this unit is sometimes referred to as the engine room. Communication is key, as they are the players who actively interact with everyone else on the pitch. They help to provide a layer of defense in front of the defenders, and when the team is in possession, they control the midfield in order to smoothly develop an attack that starts with the defenders and ends with the attackers. Teamwork and cooperation are essential because most of the game is played in the midfield. Decisions have to be quick and precise, and players have to work as a unit whether they're attacking or defending. 

    The #8 role isn't the flashiest and generally isn't one that gets as much of the spotlight compared to the attackers who score most of the goals, or the keeper and defenders who prevent goals at the other end. In this role, it's important to acknowledge that while the midfield isn't always going to be the star of the show, they still play an important part. They work to set up attackers in scoring positions and control the tempo of the game. There are moments, especially depending on the position, where the #8s will see themselves involved in goal-scoring opportunities; however, learning to sacrifice and pull the strings in ways that not everyone will acknowledge or appreciate is one of the most important assets for a successful player and team. 

    Overall, the #8 role in soccer is one that I enjoy. The skills I learn can translate to daily life, and when on the pitch, can help my team to pick up positive results. Communication is key, and can help the team work together as one unit, and not just a collection of individuals with different roles. Cooperation, teamwork, and selflessness all work to bring the best out of the team, and it is the heartbeat of the team, the #8, that brings this out, which is why I enjoy playing that role in soccer so much.