I’d give the double pivot complementary roles rather than asking both to become ball carriers.
If one receives facing forward with space, they can travel and commit the first midfielder. The partner then becomes the balance player — staying behind or slightly to the side so the team still has protection.
The roles can swap from one attack to the next.
Train the pair in a build-up game where the opposition are encouraged to leave them free initially. The midfielders only score the tactical advantage once one forces an opponent to step.
Sideways passing is useful if it moves the opponent. It becomes passive when neither player ever threatens the next line.
The cue is simple: if nobody comes to you, can you travel until somebody does?
The second pivot then needs to recognise that the first player has changed the structure.
One carries; one connects and protects.
That relationship is more important than deciding permanently which player is “the adventurous one.”
