Deep lying strikers, trequartistas, interchangeable forward lines - protecting the back four can be a nightmare for a holding midfielder.
Where do you position yourself? Who do you mark? How do you stop the opposition getting the ball to their playmaker?
By being proactive and working with your defence, says Michael Carrick.
“If the opposition floods the midfield and one of their forwards drops deep, you have to get information from your centre-halves," the England international told FourFourTwo Performance.
"If you’ve got to keep looking over your shoulder you can’t see what’s happening in front of you. "
In this video the former West Ham United and Tottenham midfielder explains the different elements to cauterising service to the opposition's strikers.
Michael Carrick wears Puma football boots. For more details, visitpumafootball.com
Also see:
The holding role: Pick the right pass
The holding role: What to do when you are overrun
The holding role: Track your opposite number
The holding role: Press space, not players
The holding role: Discipline is key
The holding role: Know your job
Michael Carrick: Protecting the back four
