What is centre half? How to use in English

The term "centre half" originated in association football (soccer) to denote a specific player position. In traditional team formations, such as the 3-3-3 and 2-3-5, the center of the defense consisted of two players, popularly called "centre backs" or "sweepers." As part of formation adjustments in the 1920s, managers introduced the "WM" formation, featuring three midfielders ahead of the defense, known as "halfbacks." One of the center-backs was pushed forward to play beside them, forming a new position called the "centre half" or "sweeper-half." Basically, this player combined the duties of both center-back and half-back, covering the central defense at the base of midfield. Over time, this formation evolved into the well-known 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3 structures, as soccer style and strategy evolved beyond their early forms. Nowadays, the term "centre half" is still used to refer to a defensive midfielder who plays close to the center of the field, sometimes also employed in holding midfield or as a defensive anchor to provide ball retention, shielding the back line, and breaking up opposing attacks.