Player Position Guide

GOALKEEPER

Roles and Responsibilities

• Shot Stopping
• Distribution
• Communication
• Handling
• Command Area
• Sweeper Keeper
• Clean Sheets
• Organisation
• Competent footwork

Saves ball in many different ways but you want a goalkeeper who will use his/her hands to save the ball not rely on their feet to save. Must be brave to pick up the ball when players feet are flying around. Alert to positions of defenders at set pieces, positional sense must be good to be in the right place to save shots. Good anticipation to come off their line to intercept through balls and balls crossed into the box.

DEFENDERS

Roles and Responsibilities

• Win aerial duels
• Passing Accuracy
• Step into midfield
• Block shots
• Stop crosses
• Support Midfield
• Support other Defenders
• 1 v 1 Defending
• Balance and cover
• Stop Turning
• Range of Passing
• Ability to clear the ball out of defence
• Variety of passing
• Defend in and around the area

Wingbacks must get forward in attack but be ready to recover in transition. Need to be good in 1v1s against fast wingers and ideally very fast to keep up with play in defence as well as attack.

In the centre the central defenders organise at the back, creating the line when playing offside. Decisions to make include passing out from the back – pass or dribble. Can't afford to lose possession in those areas of the pitch near goal when bing pressed as it is close to goal. Good headers of the ball at set pieces – strong and brave.

MIDFIELDERS

Roles and Responsibilities

• Good Early Crosses
• Runs in behind defence
• Invite press
• 1v1 attacking
• 1v1 defending
• Range of passing 
• Start attacks
• Play limited Touches
• 2nd phase wins
• Aerial duels
• Good in both boxes
• Communication
• Dribbling
• Track runners
• Link up Play
• Attacking skills
• Break up Play

Central defensive midfielder protects the defenders in front of the centre backs. They disrupt opposition attacking play. Good passing a must, like a quarter back in American football when they are in possession. Must not give the ball away for easy possession to the opposition. 

The centre mid is a link between your defenders and your attackers. Can surge into space when in possession or play wide to the wingers. Through balls to get behind the defence or to draw in the opposition midfielders leaving space on the wing to exploit. 

Wide midfielders support the attack from the wings. Fast and direct they can exploit space quickly and play through balls behind the defence. Also good support play for attackers when there is no space in the centre. Can dribble and shoot as well but should also be ready to cover if the attack breaks down and the ball is lost in transition.

The number 10 is a creative midfield attacker who can use a skill to create space for themselves or for a team mate. Fill space behind forward but can roam anywhere in the attacking third to cause chaos and set up goals or score themselves.

FORWARDS

FORWARDS

• Runs in behind
• Hold up play
• End product
• Assist
• Score
• Set up the press
• Drop into MF to receive
• Link Up Play
• Work inside the Penalty area

Attackers are mobile, good at receiving and shooting. Can receive with back to goal and turn to set up a team mate or shoot at goal. Passing options to create space and take advantage of any loose balls in the area. Often seen as a poacher who can score from anywhere on the pitch.