Having spent over a decade analyzing midfield dynamics across European leagues, I've come to appreciate how this position truly serves as the team's heartbeat. When I think about that crucial Sunday match at Ynares Center back on January 19th at 5 p.m., what struck me most wasn't the final score but how the midfield battle determined everything. The team that controlled that central corridor essentially controlled their destiny that evening. Through years of observation and personal playing experience, I've identified seven non-negotiable skills that separate exceptional midfielders from merely good ones.

First and foremost, spatial awareness stands above everything else. Great midfielders process the entire field like a chessboard, constantly updating their mental map of player positions and potential passing lanes. I remember watching that Ynares Center match where the winning team's midfielder completed 92% of his passes not because of technical superiority alone, but because he always positioned himself in pockets of space that defenders simply couldn't reach. This ties directly into the second skill - receiving under pressure. The difference between good and great comes down to that half-second before the ball arrives, where elite players already know their next move while average ones are still processing their current situation. What often goes unnoticed is body orientation; the best midfielders position their hips and shoulders to open up multiple passing options even before controlling the ball.

Then we have progressive passing, which I believe has become the most undervalued skill in modern soccer. Statistics from that January match showed the winning team attempted nearly 40% more forward passes through the middle third compared to their opponents. But it's not just about quantity - the timing and weight of these passes make all the difference. I've always preferred penetrative passes over possession for possession's sake, even if it means accepting a slightly lower completion percentage. The fourth skill involves defensive transitioning, something I've personally struggled with during my playing days. The immediate reaction upon losing possession separates top-level midfielders - they don't just track back, they intelligently cut passing lanes while communicating defensive assignments to teammates.

Ball retention under pressure represents the fifth essential skill. During that Sunday evening game, I counted at least fifteen instances where midfielders maintained possession despite facing double-teams in dangerous areas. This requires not just technical ability but tremendous core strength and balance. The sixth skill involves tactical versatility - the ability to adapt to different formations and game situations. Interestingly, the team that dominated at Ynares Center switched between 4-3-3 and 4-2-3-1 formations seamlessly, with their midfielders adjusting their roles accordingly without missing a beat.

Finally, and perhaps most crucially, comes decision-making efficiency. The best midfielders make better choices faster - whether to dribble, pass, or shoot - and this comes from thousands of hours of deliberate practice. What impressed me most during that January match was how the winning midfielder consistently chose the optimal solution in high-pressure situations, particularly during the final twenty minutes when fatigue sets in. These seven skills intertwine to create the complete modern midfielder, and while natural talent plays a role, I'm convinced that focused training on these specific areas can elevate any player's game significantly. The evidence was clear that evening at Ynares Center - the team whose midfield mastered these fundamentals controlled the tempo, dominated possession, and ultimately dictated the match's outcome.

LIGHTING, LIGHTING, AND MORE LIGHTING
People are typically drawn to bars solely based on their atmosphere. The best way to knock your next commercial bar design out of the park is using the perfect amount and type of lighting. Use standout light fixtures as their very own statement piece, track lighting for adjustable ambiance, hanging pendant lights over tables, and ambient backlighting to display the alcohol. Bartenders need to serve and customers need to order, so make sure it’s just functional as it is attractive. 

CHOOSING YOUR BARTOP
What may seem so obvious, is often so overlooked in commercial bar design- the material of your actual bartop itself. While we realize stone and marble are as classy and elegant-looking as can be, the reality is that they just aren’t your best option for a durable and long lasting bartop. They crack, have no grip, and break way too many glasses. Opt for a high-quality wood bar instead. Oaks, maples, mahoganies, and ashes are sturdy and provide your customers with a firm grip for their glasses. 

THEME 
In a sea of millions upon millions of bars, how can you make your commercial bar design stand apart from the rest? The answer is to pick a unique, centralized theme and run with it. Whether it’s your next sit-down restaurant bar design, or remodeling the small, locally-favorite gem, you have to find out what your clientele wants. Survey the neighborhood of your establishment and find out what the demographics are there. Maybe a gritty, western bar would be a hit. Or maybe a more modern, sleek design is what’s missing in the area. Whatever theme you decide upon, hit it out of the park with the perfect lighting, wall art, music, and furniture. It’s all in the details. 

THE GUIDE TO YOUR NEXT RESTOBAR 
You’ve got the food, you’ve got the restaurant, you’ve got the customers, now all you need is a beautifully designed bar to top it all off.  Small bar designs for restaurants have a tendency to be a little thrown together and incohesive with the rest of the establishment. Stay on brand- create consistency with tying in the same color scheme, furniture, art, and overall ambiance of the pre-existing restaurant. Make sure the placement of your bar makes sense as well, have it in a place where it’s visible and easy to navigate but not in the way of servers and other guests. If the bar is going to serve food, be sure to consider the location of the kitchen to not obstruct traffic flow. Consider all of these small tips as you work through your next restaurant bar design. 

SPACE CONSTRAINT 
It’s no secret that bars have the reputation of being a little cramped, and in some cases- way too cramped. Consider all of the space constraints while designing your next commercial bar design and we can change that bad rap that bars have been holding for far too long. First and foremost, be sure to measure your bar, barstool, cabinet, and equipment height. Generally, a bar is 42” in height while a stool is 30” in height. Also be sure to allow at least 3’ of space between the bar and the alcohol for the bartender’s functionality and efficiency. Consider multiple register and drink-making stations for bartenders as well. Allowing 2’ between patrons is going to give them enough space to eat and drink, and most importantly, simply be comfortable. All of these considerations are especially helpful if it is a restaurant bar design, where the space is even more valuable.