FROM THE SIDE LINE VOLUME 10

PLAYER ROLES AND ATTRIBUTES

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CONTENTSGOALKEEPER ROLES

GOALKEEPER ATTRIBUTES

DEFENDER ROLES

- CENTER BACKS

- SWEEPER

- FULL BACKS

- WING BACKS

DEFENDER ATTRIBUTES

MIDFIELDER ROLES

- HOLDING MIDFIELDER

- ATTACKING MIDFIELDER

MIDFIELDER ATTRIBUTES

STRIKER ROLES

- LONE STRIKER

- PAIR STRIKER

STRIKER ATTRIBUTES

GOALKEEPER ROLES PRIMARY ROLE: TO STOP THE OPPOSITION FROM SCORING

4 MIAN ROLES

1. SAVING

2. CLEARING

3. DIRECTING THE DEFENSE

4. DISTRIBUTING THE BALL

TO COORDINATE THE SHAPE AND ORGANIZE THE DEFENDERS AS THEY CAN SEE MORE

CHANGE THE POINT OF ATTACK

CONTROL THE TEMPO OF THE GAME EITHER THROUGH MAINTAINING POSSESSION FROM PLAYING OUT OUT FROM THE BACK OR PLAYING LONG TO START THE COUNTER ATTACK

TO BE THE LAST LINE OF DEFENSE AND THE FIRST LINE OF ATTACK

DEPENDENT ON THE COACH AND HOW HIGH THE TEAM PLAYS GOALKEEPERS CAN PLAY HIGHER UP THE FIELD (SWEEPER ROLE) EFFECTIVE IN POSSESSION AND COUNTER ATTACKING STYLE OF PLAY

GOALKEEPER ROLES (SWEEPER)

TO PERFORM THE ROLES OF A GOALKEEPER AND A SWEEPER

BE COMFORTABLE TO PLAY OUT SIDE THEIR PENALTY AREA TO INTERCEPT THROUGH BALLS OR BALLS OVER THE TOP OF THE DEFENDERS

ABILITY TO MAINTAIN POSSESSION THROUGH SHORT OR LONG PASSES

TO MAKE 11 OUTFIELD PLAYERS

ALLOW THE DEFENDERS TO PLAY WITH A HIGH LINE

GOALKEEPER ATTRIBUTES

FLEXIBILITY CO-ORDINATON

GOOD DECISION MAKER AGILITY

ATHLETICISM STRENGTH

BALANCE SPEED

ABILITY TO PLAY WITH FEET HANDLING SKILLS

ABILITY TO USE DIFFERENT PASSING TECHNIQUES

POWER

QUICK REACTIONS CONFIDENT WITH AERIAL BALLS

PRESENCE COURAGE

CONCENTRATIONUNDERSTANDS ROLES IN AND OUT

OF POSSESSION

ABLE TO HANDLE CRITICISM STARTS ATTACKS

tactical• understands the principles of a good start

position, both in and out of possession • effective communicator, using commonly

understood terms, • has an appreciation of the game and adopts a

no risk mentally • initiates counter - attacking opportunities for

the team • good game understanding and decision

making

psychological• has the courage to dive at the feet of

opponents and smother the ball • demonstrates good powers of concentration

and is alert when called into action • makes positive decisions and plays with

presence

technical• excellent handling skills • makes good decisions, knowing when to

catch, deflect or parry • has the composure to pass and receive with

both feet • can pass the ball over varied distance using

many passing techniques • confident in dealing with crosses, especially in

congested areas (eg. set plays)

physical• has the flexibility, agility and athleticism to move

around the pitch/goal with speed, balance and coordination

• quick reactions, both in thought and co - ordination

• has the power and strength needed to deal with physical contact situations

GOALKEEPER SPECIFIC ATTRIBUTES

OUTFIELD SPECIFIC ATTRIBUTES

physical• posses agility, speed and strength as well as

appropriate levels of endurance and change of pace necessary to meet the demands of

the game

technical• displays versatility and ingenuity to meet the

demands of the game • has assured basic techniques and an

extensive range of ball skills • excellent passing, receiving and retaining

possession skills • creates personal time and space at all times • can pass the ball intelligently and efficiently

over varying distances • possess clean ball contact skills when

passing, receiving, retaining and traveling with the ball

• can operate skillfully at optimum and varying speeds, even in congested areas

• recognizes opportunities to run with the ball, and is effective in doing so

• has the ability to turn with the ball in a variety of ways

• can beat opponents in one - versus - one situations, or by combining play with others

• preferably two footed, with some degree of unorthodoxy

• highly proficient in limited and instant touch techniques

• can defend alone • has the creativity to produce the unexpected

in the right place at the right time

psychological• eager to learn (coachable players) • controlled and adaptable • reliable, enthusiastic and self - disciplined • displays a winning mentality and does not

concede defeat • understands the state of the game and

operates accordingly • demonstrates good spatial awareness and is

quick to respond to game events • deals with disappointment, criticism and

errors with resilience and a positive outlook • intense desire to succeed and to play with

confident assurance

tactical• intelligent for self and team • understands personal playing role through

practice and experience • understands team attacking and defending

strategies • versatile and comfortable in other playing

positions • anticipates rather then reacts to the unfolding

events of the game • constantly monitors the development of play

whilst on the move, building mental pictures that assist in effective decision - making prior

to receiving the ball • assured and intelligent decision maker • effectively retains and protects the ball from

opposing players and is competent in 1 v 1 situations

• understand how to gain personal tactical advantage

DEFENDER ROLES (CENTER BACKS)

PREVENT CENTER FORWARDS FROM SCORING

BLOCK SHOTS AND MAKE TACKLES

STOP OR DELAY ATTACKS

COVER AND SUPPORT EACH OTHER

INTERCEPT PASSES

CONTEST FOR AERIAL BALLS

MARK STRIKERS TO DISCOURAGE THE OPPOSITION PLAYING PASSES TO THEM

REMAIN TOGETHER AND AVOID GETTING STRETCHED/ SPLIT

COVER EACH OTHER TO PREVENT THE OPPOSITION BEING ABLE TO PENETRATE

CONTROL THE BACK LINE (DEFENSIVE LINE)

ABILITY TO PLAY LONG BALLS OR CLEAR THE BALL AWAY FROM DANGER

ATTACK/CONTEST CORNERS AND FREE KICKS

DEFENDER ROLES (SWEEPER)

LAST LINE OF DEFENSE

BE ABLE TO CONTROL THE DEFENSE AND BE ABLE TO READ THE GAME

COMFORTABLE IN WINNING AERIAL BALLS

TECHNICAL ABILITY TO INITIATE COUNTER ATTACKS WHEN THEY WIN POSSESSION

TO COVER THE CENTER BACKS IN FRONT OF THEM

TO ANTICIPATE AND CLOSE DOWN GAPS CREATED BY THE OTHER DEFENDERS

DEFENDER ROLES (FULL BACKS)

COVER THE WIDE SPACES

TO STOP THE OPPOSITION FROM GETTING CROSSES INTO THE BOX ARE MAKING RUNS INTO THE BOX

PROVIDE WIDTH WHEN IN POSSESSION

TO PUSH UP/ SHIFT WITH THE OTHER DEFENDERS

COACH DEPENDENT: PROVIDE OVERLAPS AND CROSSES INTO THE BOX OR TO CUT INSIDE

TO BE CAPABLE TO GET BACK INTO A DEFENSIVE POSITION AFTER ATTACKING DOWN THE LINE

COVER THE WIDE SPACES

DEFENDER ROLES (WING BACKS)

DEFENSIVE AND ATTACKING MENTALITIES

RUN UP AND DOWN THE FIELD

MORE ATTACKING THEN FULL BACKS

TAKE PLAYER ON AND DEFEND IN 1 V 1 SITUATIONS

PROVIDE CROSSES INTO THE BOX

SUPPORT THE CENTER BACKS OUT OF POSSESSION

PROVIDE WIDTH TO THE TEAM

TO DRAW THE OPPOSITIONS DEFENDER OUT SO THE CENTER BACKS DON’T HAVE COVER

TO ACT AS WINGER IN FORMATIONS THAT DON’T USE WINGERS

DEFENDER ATTRIBUTES

READS THE GAME WELL AND POSITIONS EFFECTIVELY

UNDERSTANDS WHEN AND WHERE TO MARK

OPPONENTS

PRESSES OPPONENTS EFFICTIVELY DEAL WITH 1 V 1 SITUATIONS

TRACK OPPONENTS MOVEMENTS CHALLENGES

DECISIVELY AND FAIRLY

COVERS TEAMMATES AND MARKS SPACE EFFECTIVELY

COMFORTABLE TO PLAY WITH THE BALL

GOOD PASSING ABILITY USING ALL SURFACES OF BOTH FEET

ABILITY TO DRIBBLE OPPONENTS

COURAGEOUS CONCENTRATION

COMPOSURED COMPETITIVENESS

QUICK AND EXPLOSIVE COMPETE AERIALLY

READ AND ANTICIPATE PLAYPOSSESSES UPPER BODY

STRENGTH

CHANGE THE POINT OF ATTACK UNDERSTANDS DEFENSIVE

PRINCIPLES

DEFENDER SPECIFIC ATTRIBUTES

tactical• intelligent for self and team • understands personal playing role through

practice and experience • understands team attacking and defending

strategies • versatile and comfortable in other playing

positions • anticipates rather then reacts to the unfolding

events of the game • constantly monitors the development of play

whilst on the move, building mental pictures that assist in effective decision - making prior

to receiving the ball • assured and intelligent decision maker • effectively retains and protects the ball from

opposing players and is competent in 1 v 1 situations

• understand how to gain personal tactical advantage

physical• posses agility, speed and strength as well as

appropriate levels of endurance and change of pace necessary to meet the demands of

the game

technical• displays versatility and ingenuity to meet the

demands of the game • has assured basic techniques and an

extensive range of ball skills • excellent passing, receiving and retaining

possession skills • creates personal time and space at all times • can pass the ball intelligently and efficiently

over varying distances • possess clean ball contact skills when

passing, receiving, retaining and traveling with the ball

• can operate skillfully at optimum and varying speeds, even in congested areas

• recognizes opportunities to run with the ball, and is effective in doing so

• has the ability to turn with the ball in a variety of ways

• can beat opponents in one - versus - one situations, or by combining play with others

• preferably two footed, with some degree of unorthodoxy

• highly proficient in limited and instant touch techniques

• can defend alone • has the creativity to produce the unexpected

in the right place at the right time

psychological• eager to learn (coachable players) • controlled and adaptable • reliable, enthusiastic and self - disciplined • displays a winning mentality and does not

concede defeat • understands the state of the game and

operates accordingly • demonstrates good spatial awareness and is

quick to respond to game events • deals with disappointment, criticism and

errors with resilience and a positive outlook • intense desire to succeed and to play with

confident assurance

MIDFIELDER ROLES (HOLDING MID)

TO SCREEN THE TWO CENTER BACKS BEHIND YOU

CUT OUT THE SUPPLY OF BALLS IN TO THE OPPOSITIONS STRIKER

TO REMAIN CENTRAL AND NOT GET DRAGGED OUT OF POSITION

TO CONTROL THE DIRECTION OF THE GAME

DISTRIBUTE BALLS TO INITIATE ATTACKS

CONSISTENT FINDING SPACE TO BE AN AVAILABLE OPTION

SLOW DOWN/DELAY THE COUNTER ATTACK

TO ALLOW THE ATTACKING MIDFIELDERS TO PUSH FORWARD BY DOING THE DEFENDING WORK FOR THEM

DISRUPT THE OPPOSITION ATTACKING THROUGH THE MIDDLE OF THE FIELD

MIDFIELDER ROLES (WINGERS)

SUPPORT THE ATTACKS FROM THE WINGS

PROVIDE CROSSES OR CUT BACKS FOR STRIKERS TO SCORE

PROVIDE WIDTH FOR THE TEAM

TO TRACK BACK IF THE OPPOSITION HAVE A PLAYER ADVANCING DOWN THE CHANNELS

CREATE CHANGES EITHER THROUGH BEATING PLAYERS IN 1 V 1 SITUATIONS OR WINNING FREE KICKS CLOSE TO THE GOAL

RUN AT PLAYERS TO TRY PENETRATE THE OPPOSITIONS DEFENDERS

PROVIDE AN OPTION FOR THE TEAM TO SWITCH PLAY

MIDFIELDER ROLE (CENTRAL)

CONTROL THE TEMPO OF THE GAME

PROVIDE A LINK BETWEEN THE DEFENDERS AND THE MIDFIELDERS

CREATE ATTACKING OPTIONS

TO SUPPORT THE ATTACKERS AND CREATE NUMBERS WHEN ATTACKING

DISTRIBUTE THE BALL TO CREATE THE BEST ATTACKING OPTION

ABILITY TO MAINTAIN POSSESSION IF THERE IS NO OPTION TO PLAY FORWARD

HELP THE DEFENDERS

SHOOT FROM DIFFERENT DISTANCES

CONSISTENTLY FINDING SPACE AND PROVIDING AN OPTION FOR THE TEAM TO PLAY THROUGH

TO ACT AS A DEFENDER AND AN ATTACKER FOR THE WHOLE GAME

CONTROL THE MIDDLE OF THE FIELD

STOP/DELAY THE OPPOSITION FROM ATTACKING

MIDFIELDERS ATTRIBUTES

CAN RECIEVE AND PROTECT THE BALL UNDER PRESSURE

ABILITY TO USE A VARIETY OF DIFFERENT PASSING TECHNIQUES

ABILITY TO TURN WITH A VARIETY OF TURNS

ABILITY TO RECIEVE IN ALL DIRECTIONS

CAPABLE TO PLAY THE GAME SIDE ONCAN READ THE RUNS OF OTHER

PLAYERS

ABILITY TO BEAT OTHER PLAYERS, 1 V 1 OR COMBINATION PLAY

EXCELLENT AEROBIC AND ANAEROBIC

CAPACITY

EXCELLENT VISION AND AWARENESSSHOOT ACCURATELY FROM

DISTANCE

ABILITY TO RETAIN POSSESSION THROUGH ACCURATE PASSING

ABILITY TO DISGUISE PASSES

ABILITY TO CONTROL THE GAME ABILITY TO FIND SPACE INSIDE

THE BOX

EXPLOSIVE SPEED OVER SHORT DISTANCES READS THE GAME

CREATIVENESS TRACKS BACK

KNOWS WHEN TO MARK AND WHEN TO PRESSTACKLES WHEN DEFENDING

physical• demonstrates excellent aerobic and anaerobic

capacity throughout the game • possesses explosive speed over short distances

when both attacking and defending

technical • available to receive the ball in all

circumstances • can receive, secure and protect the ball under

pressure • turns with the ball when ever possible in variety

of ways • uses a variety of one - touch skills with both feet

(and all surfaces over a wide passing range) • delivers passes to forward players (or forward

moving players) with sensitivity and accuracy, either aerially or on the ground. these passes can

be executed over a range of distances with deception and variety

• can beat an opponent individually, or through combination with team mates

• strikes accurate shots on goal from from distances up to 30 meters

psychological• adapts playing styles to the state of the game • displays intensity and composure throughout

the game • has a positive, controlled competitiveness

tactical• understands playing the game side on • possesses excellent vision and awareness

and observes all options available • retains possession with efficient passing skills • can play with disguise, showing one option,

but performing another • moves into goal scoring positions inside the

penalty area and scores with varied techniques

• reads opponents attacking play and positions appropriately

• recovers, presses , tracks and marks when defending

• has an awareness and understanding of unfolding game events

MIDFIELDER SPECIFIC ATTRIBUTES

STRIKER ROLES SCORE GOALS

HOLD THE BALL UP TO ALLOW PLAYERS TO SUPPORT IN THE ATTACK

PROVIDE AN OUTLET FOR THE TEAM

CONTROL THE DIRECTION OF THE GAME OUT OF POSSESSION

CREATE AND EXPLOIT SPACE

PROVIDE OPTIONS FOR FAST BREAKS OR CROSSES INTO HTE BOX

CREATE GOAL SCORING OPPORTUNITIES

TAKE PLAYERS ON IN 1 V 1 SITUATIONS

COMPETE FOR AERIAL BALLS

COMFORTABLE TO PLAY WITH THEIR BACK FACING THE GOAL

DRAW THE OPPOSITIONS DEFENDERS OUT OF POSITION FOR MIDFIELDERS TO ATTACK

STRIKER ATTRIBUTES

SCORES GOALS CAN HOLD THE BALL UP

AND LINK WITH SUPPORT PLAYERS

CAN SHIELD/PROTECT THE BALLCAN ADJUST TO ANY KIND OF

SERVICE

EFFECTIVE WITH A VARIETY OF TURNSEFFECTIVE IN 1 V 1

SITUATIONS

ABILITY TO MAKE AND EXPLOIT SPACE MAKES THEMSELVES AVAILABLE AS

AN OUTLET

INTELLIGENT MOVEMENT UNDERSTANDS POSITIONING

BODY STRENGTHCAPABLE TO DRAW DEFENDERS TO

CREATE SPACE FOR OTHERS

AWARE OF THE STATE OF THE GAMECLOSES DOWN OPPOSITION

EXPLOSIVE SPEEDPRESSES, MARKS AND TRACKS

OPPOSITION

BRAVERY COMPETITIVE

ABIITY TO CONTROL THE DIRECTION OF THE GAME

COMPOSED

STRIKER SPECIFIC ATTRIBUTES

physical• has explosive speed over short and medium

distances (5 - 20 meters) • displays sustained speed over longer distances

and speed endurance throughout the full game • has spring and timing (if not height) to contest

aerial challenges for the ball • has the body strength to hold of physical

challenges

technical • scores at a rate of 1 goal per 2 games played • can react to any incoming services, or loose

ball and finish with one or two touches • links with support players using one or two

touches • protects the ball in tightly opposed situations,

allowing supporting runs to take place • turns with the ball has frequently as possible • is effective in 1 v 1 situations

psychological• competitive and composed • willing to chase down forward passes

delivered behind opposing defenders • adaptable and aware of the state of the game • shows bravery in potential goal scoring areas • displays intelligent positioning and cunning

movement, especially in goal - scoring opportunities

tactical• shows as a pass outlet for players in

possession in the defending third and deep midfield areas

• understands how to position against and around opponents to cause maximum

disadvantage • makes calculated movements and adopts

positions that raise doubts in the minds of defenders of how to counteract these

individual tactics • has the awareness and ability to exploit the

space between and behind defenders, to receive passes in goal - scoring and goal -

scoring positions • escapes man - markers with timely and

intelligent individual movement • understands positional movement and how to

move opponents from good to poor defending positions, to allow others to exploit the space

created • moves into goal - scoring positions • channels, traps and contains opponents in

possession in their defensive third • presses, marks and tracks opponents as

required

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