Player Roles & Responsibilities
#1 GoalKeeper
- Stay connected with defenders, challenge through balls in and out of the box
- Initiate new attacks
- Be a leader
- Shot stopping
- Effective communication and organization
- Strength and speed.
- Organizing defenders in and out of possession
- Act as a deep lying defender in possession, move in space, and receive back passes.
- Provide accurate distribution
- Organize set plays from the moment they are awarded
- Stay big as long as possible
- Narrow opponents angle from good starting positions and through movement towards the ball
#4, 5 Center backs
- Control and defend space between second central defender and also goalkeeper to deny penetration
- Maintain defensive structure with all defenders
- Provide passing outlet for goalkeeper
- Retain possession by ‘swinging’ ball around the back
- Organize and direct midfielders when defending (deny passes into forwards feet)
- Support and provide cover to fellow defenders
- Carry ball forward when possible
- Ensure team has balance and structure when moving forward
- Mark, track and control forwards runs into dangerous positions
- Communicate effectively when ‘passing on’ forwards
#2, 3 outside backs
- Deny space, (control the distance between center backs and goalkeeper to deny penetration)
- Work with center backs to ensure you have cover in wide areas
- Prevent crosses
- Good range of passing with both feet
- Combination play (especially overlaps and wall passes)
- Organize and direct outside forward with her defensive duties
- Move to a more central position when ball is on opposite side
- Provide wide passing outlet
- Progress the ball in wide areas in all phases of the field
- Create services into box, alone or in combination with others
- Deliver quality crosses or cut inside a shoot on go
#6, 8, 10 midfielders
- Distribute to forwards either into feet or in behind defensive line
- Shoot from distance
- 360 awareness
- Good supporting angles
- Receiving skills, tight and clever touches at all angles
- Look for combination play with forwards (1-2's, up-back-through, and overlapping runs)
- Look to break lines and run in behind defenders
- Intelligence with and without the ball (understand and read forwards runs)
- Effective tackling
- When passes are made beyond our midfield, recover, track runners and assist or replace defenders who may get pulled out of position
- Deny penetrating passes into forwards feet
- Mark, press, intercept and tackle when needed
#7, 11 Wingers
- Provide wide outlets in the middle and attacking thirds
- Create opportunities to cross by self or in combination with teammates. Deliver with quality
- Look for 1v1‘s, Attack end line, attack front post
- Move into goal scoring positions without the ball
- React and recover, act as first line of defense in wide areas
- Provide defensive support for #2 and #3 (track opponents runs)
- If you are ball side, deny the straight pass down the line, force inside to our midfield trio
- Receiving, positive first touch
- Dribbling at speed (attacking defenders front foot)
- Crossing and shooting with both feet
- Understand the need/have ability to create and exploit space
- Goal scoring mentality
#9 Forward
- Score goals!
- Stretch the field in possession
- Look to receive passes & have ability to “hold” up ball and bring supporting players into game
- Assesses and moves into goal scoring positions
- Embrace 1v1 opportunities with defenders
- Apply early pressure to defenders
- Delay and contain attacks from opposing defenders
- Have pace and agility
- Ability to turn in tight spaces with various techniques
- Can quickly decide to and employ appropriate finishing technique
- Strong technique striking, volleying, and heading balls towards goal