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#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
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#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
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#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
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#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
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#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
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#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
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#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