Smarter Scouting - Profiling Players Beyond the Position Group: Midfielders

Modern football has evolved from defined positions to functions and principles players perform within different tactical systems. Smarter Scouting is a new video series that explores how clubs can use advanced data to easily identify player profiles that go beyond traditional position labels.

In each episode, we highlight a position group and uncover the key archetypes that exist within it — combining physical, technical, tactical, and contextual insights to show how data brings clarity to complex roles.

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This article is also available in Italian, Spanish, French and Portuguese. 

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In this episode, we turn our attention to the modern midfielder — from the deep-lying Number 6 to the all-action Box-to-Box profile — exploring what differentiates them and how SkillCorner data can bring those traits to light.

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The Number 6 

The team’s playmaker, constantly opening passing lines and receiving in Build-up, often beyond the first pressure. Key in breaking the opposition by passing through the midfield, inside the defensive shape. Out of possession, the Number 6 slows the attacking side down and protects the defense. 

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To quantify and evaluate the various functions and behaviours, we used the following metrics belonging to our Physical and Game Intelligence data:

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(Information on the normalization method for each metric is provided at the end of the blog) 

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• Passing Options in Build-up (P30 TIP): number of passing options created during the Build-up phase — situations in the team’s own third under high pressure, where the player positions himself to receive and open a passing lane. These actions are detected even if the player ultimately doesn’t receive the ball
  
  
• Possessions in Build-up (P30 TIP): number of possessions in the Build-up phase — typically occurring in the team's own third of the pitch, while the opposing team is applying pressure or is positioned very high.
  
  
• Passing Options Through First Line (P30 TIP): occurrences of the player moving to receive a pass — opening a passing lane for the ball-carrier and bypassing the opponent’s first line of pressure from the inside.
  
  
• Pass Attempts Through Second Last Line (P30 TIP): number of times a player attempts a pass to a teammate positioned beyond the second-last line of pressure, typically the midfield.
  
  
• Stop or Reduce Possession Danger %: share of total On Ball Engagements — defensive actions where the player engages the ball-carrier while out of possession — that effectively limit or neutralize the threat posed by the opponent’s possession

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The Box-to-Box

‍By definition, a dynamic midfielder who contributes across the entire pitch, from build-up to the final third. Able to carry the ball forward to progress quickly, the box-to-box midfielder is fully engaged in defensive duels out of possession, enhancing the team’s stability.

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Relevant metrics: 

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• High Intensity Distance (P90): average distance covered per match at speeds exceeding 20 km/h.
  
  
• Possessions in Build-up (P30 TIP): number of possessions in the Build-up phase — typically occurring in the team's own third of the pitch, while the opposing team is applying pressure or is positioned very high.
  
  
• Possessions in Finish (P30 TIP): number of possessions in the Finish phase — primarily occurring in the final third of the pitch, where the attacking team is attempting to score while the defending team is forming a block.
  
  
• Carries at Speed (P30 TIP): number of times a player drives forward with the ball at an average speed above 15km/h — showing intent and control in progressing play toward goal.
  
  
• On Ball Engagements (P30 OTIP): number of times a player engages the ball-carrier to influence their actions, either by pressing and challenging them directly, or containing their movement. 

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Normalization methods:

• P90: average per 90 minutes — highlights what a player would achieve if they played a full match, allowing fair comparison across players with different playing times.
  
  
• P30 TIP: per 30 Minutes Time in Possession — shows performance as if every player had the same 30 minutes of team possession within games.
  It levels the playing field, so you can compare players fairly even if some teams are more or less dominant.
  
  
• P30 OTIP: per 30 Minutes Time out of Possession — reveals performance as if every player experienced the same 30 minutes without the ball during matches.
  It makes comparisons fair, so you can evaluate players even if some spend more or less time defending.

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