Mastering the Double Pivot: A Game-Changing Tactic in Soccer
Are you looking for a way to take your team’s midfield to the next level and dominate the game? Do you struggle to maintain possession and control in the center of the field? The double pivot in soccer might be the answer you’ve been searching for.
Modern-day soccer has evolved from what it used to be a few decades ago. In the older days, the basic formations were mostly used, but modern-day soccer includes special formation tactics like the midfield double pivot formation strategy.
Double pivot is new to many, but once your midfielders learn this, the team can become much better in build-up and possession.
What is a double pivot in soccer?
A double pivot in soccer is a central midfielder duo playing for both the defensive side and possession building.
This duo tends to be slightly positioned in front of your central defenders while staying inside the wingbacks or fullbacks. This due is there for:
- Providing defensive cover to the defensive line and goalkeeper
- Maintaining the possession of the ball and creating attacking changes
With such duties, the double-pivot duo does not work like the traditional box-to-box midfielders.
Formations
A double pivot due can be used with a long number of formations like:
- 4-2-3-1
- 3-5-2
- 4-4-2
Thus, any coach may use a formation strategy with a game plan while using double pivot duo to maintain a competitive advantage in the whole game.
The origin of the double pivot
During the 1980s, the double pivot role evolved with the players, including Socrates and Zico. This evolution started by forming a W-M formation in soccer games in the 1920s.
Teams started using their fullbacks with the half-backs in the front of the field.
As this strategy evolved, the role of CDM has changed a lot as they are not controlling the ball much more and creating passing opportunities along with attaching chances.
The role of the double pivot
A defensive cover is the main role of the double-pivot duo playing at your side. If the opponent team is good at possession and you play with one midfielder, the opponents may easily get past the mid, and their scoring chances will significantly increase.
Going with a midfield duo ensures that the defensive line has a better backup from the 2 CDMs in the front, which can backline and go at the front mid areas to create better chances.
It is much better when we compare single pivot vs double pivot football. When the team is not in possession, the duty of this duo further increases as they must win the ball by:
- Making firm tackles against opponents’ attacking run
- Win headers
- Winning the first or second balls
This duo is in such a critical position that the performance of other team players somewhat depends on them.
What is the advantage of double pivot?
There are several advantages of a double-pivot strategy, including the following:
- This duo brings a wide passing range to the team
- With players available on all sides of the field, this duo can intercept the ball from opponents and get it cleared safely.
- Double pivot duo prevents the opponents from tackling your team in front of the box, decreasing their chances of scoring.
- Double pivot in soccer gives a numerical advantage on the field because there are more players at the pivot location, giving both attacking and defensive advantage.
- This duo results in better communication among the whole team. These players are connected with the defensive line and the front to create constant awareness of their surroundings.
- Even with higher responsibilities, these players can easily play for the whole 90 minutes of the game because of their position.
- Their ability to create passes and runs to join the attack gives better scoring chances but also creates the risk of counterattacks,
What is the impact of double pivot on a soccer game?
Going with a double pivot instead of a single pivot gives your team a psychological and numeric advantage because of sharing many advantages.
Even when some huge teams don’t use it today, there are examples of teams like Bayern, Chelsea, and Manchester City playing with a double pivot to get that competitive advantage.
Is it possible to beat a double-pivot strategy?
Yes, it is possible to beat double-pivot gameplay. Regular gameplay may not be able to beat it as you may need to go for targeted pressing with aggression in your gameplay to beat it.
The best way to do this is to have your forward players and midfield close the CDMs of opponents and cut their passing lanes.
In this way, they must dribble the ball to create passing chances, and your chances of gaining ball possession will increase. Not only this, but it would open the ball in the higher pitch areas to create regular scoring chances.
Conclusion
A game of soccer is not all about the individual brilliance of players. The coaching strategy and formation also play an important role in the game. While there could be different strategies, going for a double pivot in soccer can bring a competitive advantage in different game situations. It is because double pivot helps in both attacking runs and defense and when you need to maintain possession.
