Episode Eleven - Understanding the Box Midfield

Welcome back to Inside The Game, the coaching podcast from Steel United! Kicking off our Fall 2025 season, host Stuart Sharples dives into one of the modern game’s most talked-about tactical setups — the Box Midfield. We break down what it is, why it works, and how it connects to our curriculum focus this week: Switching the Play.

Our core value of the week is Teamwork — and switching the play is the perfect example of how trust, coordination, and movement combine to unlock defenses. Stuart shares key coaching points, practical session ideas, and examples from the pros to help you bring this concept to life with your players.

Special guest Ian Hughes, VP of Player & Staff Development at Steel Sports, joins the conversation to share his insights on introducing shapes like the box midfield at youth level, making switching the play more effective, and experimenting with new tactical ideas without overwhelming players.

We wrap up with our Coaching Question of the Week — a challenge to redesign a familiar drill from scratch and discover fresh learning opportunities.

🎧 Step Inside The Game and start the season with new ideas, practical tips, and inspiration for your coaching.