Player Roles

  • #1

    Goalkeepers

Technical

  •  Touch and control equivalent to outfield players 
  •  Chooses appropriate catching / handling / parrying technique as required – scoop, cup, W, collapse, low/mid/high dives, catching& punching
  •  Controlled & effective footwork for positioning– sprint, crossover, sidestep

Tactical

  • Accurate & appropriate distribution over varied distances with hands& feet– playing to teammates strongside
  •  Adopts good starting positions& able to read through-balls
  •  Critical to game management- time, tempo & temperament

Physical

  • Reacts subconsciously to move and save – ability gained through years of practice and muscle memory
  •  Exceptional Agility, Balance & Coordination
  •  Excellent range of movement in all joints– particularly shoulders, hips and spine
  •  Explosive power with excellent vertical jump
  •  Physically robust– able to withstand impacts from the ground, teammates and opposition

Pscyhological & Social

  •  Accurate and precise communication with all teammates
  •  Defensive conductor– organizing teammates to appropriate positions
  •  Possesses ability to focus and concentrate for extended periods of time   
  •  Excellent and rapid decision making
  •  Incredibly brave – prepared to put body in high risk areas to make saves/intercept the ball

  • #4/5

    Center Backs

Technical

  • Excellent timing of tackles and interceptions
  • Can defend without winning the ball – delaying opposition advances, denying time & space, dictating direction of play
  • Capable of receiving ball under pressure using various body surfaces 
  • Powerful header, defensively and offensively 
  • Excellent short and long passer

Tactical

  • Critical to out of possession organization – usually deepest outfield player and point of reference for teammates 
  •  Capable of, and looks for opportunities to, run with the ball to penetrate lines and force the opposition to leave defensive positions and leave space behind

Physical

  • Presents a dominant physical frame even if of smaller stature – holds body upright, makes good eye contact, displays inner confidence
  • Strong in 1 v1 aerial duels, shoulder charges, upper body tussles 
  • Frequently possesses high top speed but can be overcome with excellent positioning

Pscyhological & Social

  • Mentally prepared to receive ball in tight situations
  • Recovers well from mistakes
  • Always on the front foot, refuses to shy away from the challenge
  • Organizes defensive shape and structure
  • Frequent and accurate communication for back line movement

  • #2/3

    Fullbacks

Technical

  • Excellent Running with the Ball and ability to beat a defender in 1 v1
  • Excellent at blocking crosses and intercepting passes
  • Strong tackling – sliding when required
  •  Excellent delivery/crossing of ball

Tactical

  • Requires excellent understanding of both defending and attacking Principles of Play
  • Excels at Transition from D>A and A>D.
  • Always available as outlet from goalkeeper
  • Develops strong playing patterns with 5/6 & 7/11
  • Dead ball specialist– corners/free-kicks/penalties

Physical

  • High level of stamina to cover dual defending and attacking roles– very high work rate
  • High Max Speed to beat defenders and to not be beaten by attackers
  • Fast acceleration to beat defenders and counter attack
  • High Agility, Balance and Coordination
  • Strong core and upper body strength

Pscyhological & Social

  • Determined to win battle against opposite number
     Prepared to do both defending and attacking seeing the importance of both to the role
  • Recognizes that hard work may go unnoticed

  • #6

    Defensive Center Mid

Technical

  • Able to deliver long, accurate passes and play 1 or 2 touch to maintain possession in tight areas
  •  Capable of manipulating the ball in almost any manner using various body parts, techniques and maneuvers
  •  Possesses excellent passing accuracy, range & timing
  •  Excellent at tackling

Tactical

  • When required, drops into defensive line – has center back attributes
  •  Able to anticipate the game, High level of tactical awareness
  •  Excellent movement off the ball, ability to recognize space to receive ball safely 
  •  Manages the tempo of the game – point of reference for whole team

Physical

  •  Strong in the challenge both with feet and head
  •  High Level of Stamina to make recovery runs 
  •  High work rate
  •  Powerful acceleration  
  •  Excellent vertical jump to win headers

Pscyhological & Social

  • Excellent communicator– constantly organizing  
  •  Leads by example through high work rate and willingness to do the less glamorous tasks
  •  Can be a coach on the field instructing players around them how to play, where to play and when
  •  Strong desire to mentally and physically control the game
  •  Ability to evaluate risk v reward

  • #8/10

    Center Midfield

Technical

  •  Capable of manipulating the ball in almost any manner using various body parts, techniques and maneuvers 
  •  Possesses excellent passing accuracy, range & timing placing the ball exactly where goal-scorers want it
  •  Excellent crossing, shooting and volleying technique

Tactical

  • Constantly looking to receive the ball and rarely loses possession
  •  Adopts positions between defensive lines
  •  Excellent timing of movement and runs into space
  •  Constantly scans the pitch for opportunities to find space and for the movement of teammates

Physical

  •  High levels of stamina 
  •  Strong acceleration 
  •  Excellent mobility to allow for quick turns, changes of direction, body swerves, fakes and dummies
  •  High levels of agility, balance, coordination and proprioception

Pscyhological & Social

  •  Demands high standards and work-rate from teammates to match own
  •  Not always the loudest on the pitch but gains the respect of teammates by always putting the team first
  •  Always thinking two, three or more phases ahead
  •  Is as motivated by an assist as scoring a goal
  •  Creative

  • #7/11

    Wingers

Technical

  • Is able to manipulate the ball in a variety of manners
  •  Adopts and utilizes multiple tricks and feints to go past opponents
  •  Possesses excellent technique when striking the ball and can vary shots with swerve, dip and power

Tactical

  •  Tactically aware of role within the team when not on the ball but demands personal possession of the ball constantly
  •  Can generally play on either flank and also as a backup Striker
  •  Able to recognize space and times runs into space to perfection
  •  Arrives at the back fora large number of goals

Physical

  •  Pace is a must
  •  Outstanding agility, balance and coordination – able to produce body swerves, feints and dummies at high speeds, stop and turn /change direction with ease (high acceleration and deceleration) 
  •  Stamina – modern wingers frequently involved with high pressing, counter pressing and recovering to deep defensive positions at pace

Pscyhological & Social

  •  Very creative and flamboyant and can sometimes be the showman and or joker in the squad 
  •  Will demand the ball at all times
  •  Accepts and performs best under pressure from teammates, coaches and others
  •  Confident in 1 v1 vs  opposing defenders
  •  Has the self belief to try the unexpected and the will continue trying even if unsuccessful before

  • #9

    Striker

Technical

  •  Excellent striking of the ball using various techniques combining power and accuracy from dead ball, moving ball and volleying situations
  •  Able to disguise intended shot to put off defenders and goalkeepers
  •  Excellent heading technique – at goal, flick-ons, knock-backs

Tactical

  • Ability to choose the correct shooting technique at the right time
  •  Tactical awareness of when to hold up the ball and bring in players or to quickly shoot
  •  Excellent positional awareness– can read the game and understand where passes and crosses will end up
  •  Excellent timing and angle of runs
  • Able to create space and lose markers

Physical

  • Powerful body for shooting, accelerating and jumping
  •  High Max Speed (can be off set with excellent positional awareness)
  •  Speed Stamina – able to maintain close to top speeds throughout 90 mins
  •  Strong core strength and balance for holding off defenders and turning

Pscyhological & Social

  • Mental composure in finishing 1 v1 
  •  High levels of self belief
  •  Determination to work hard to create opportunities
  •  Can be a natural leader and will need to accept the responsibility their role has in the team
  •  Must communicate constantly with teammates regarding where and when they want he ball