Introduction
A soccer game consists of two opposing teams of 11 players apiece. Each player in a team is been assigned a specific role. In the past, various soccer positions were largely static and defined (Beswick 160). Over time, however, soccer has evolved greatly and most of these roles have changed. This essay acts as a guide to the different positions of soccer players, and the roles that come with them. In addition, the essay will also examine the changing roles of a soccer player.
Role of various soccer players
The goalkeeper tries to ensure that the opposing team does not score. This position requires special training and skills. As a goalkeeper, you will often be called upon to organize or coordinate your defenders into position (Rhody 23). You are the last player on the field and as such, are at a vantage position to not only see how other players are organized in the field of play, but can actually predict the way the game is likely to develop. This is especially important during goal kicks, free kicks, and corner kicks (Luxbacher 2). The goalkeeper should protect the goal by kicking, catching, or punching the ball back into the field of play. He can also initiate the team’s attack. He is the only player on the field who is allowed to control the ball using his hands, but this can only happen within his team’s penalty box.
In front of the goalkeeper are the two centrebacks. Centrebacks are faced with the real challenge of stopping strikers of the opposing team from scoring from the center of the defensive line. After the goalkeeper, centrebacks cover the least distance in a soccer match. They are also hardly ever involved in the offense, save for when their team wins set pieces such as free kicks and corners (Luxbacher 3). Centrebacks must be focused, strong in the air, and good at tackling. More importantly, the centreback should be very good at reading the game.
Fullbacks play on either side of the defense, and hence the leftback and rightback positions. Fullbacks need to be very quick as they have to cover the flanks and at the same time, mark the opposing team’s forward or striker. Fullbacks contribute to the team’s offense by pushing up the flanks. This calls for good stamina and speed. In the past, full-backs always remained in their team’s defense area (Rhody 43). The only time when fullbacks would be allowed to enter the opposing side’s 18 yard box was when the team was either taking a free kick or corner. This role has somewhat changed in modern soccer as some can at times act as wingers when their team is attacking in the hope of stretching out the opposing team’s defense.
Central midfielders are the engine of the team. They function in both defense and attack. Central midfielders make a lot of runs and therefore, the position requires a lot of stamina. Besides holding possession and passing the ball forward, central midfielders also contest for the ball from the opposition in the hope of winning it back (Luxbacher 83). Some central midfielders have specialized in the role of defensive/holding midfielders, but this depends on the style of play of a team. Defensive midfielders play deep into the team’s backline, acting as a shield to the defense. This position is common with a 4-4-2 or 4-2-3-1 position. Besides disrupting the opposition’s attacking moves, a defensive midfielder can also instigate an attack move by his team (Rhody 42).
An attacking midfielder, on the other hand, acts primarily as an offensive player. He occupies the position just behind the forward, and hence acts as a link between the forward and the central midfielder. Depending on how they are positioned on the field of play, an attacking midfielder can occupy the central, left, or right role. They provide key passes and through balls to the forward.
A new type of midfielder has also emerged in modern football in the form of a central winger or “False 10”. A central winger is allowed to drift wide when in possession of the ball. In this way, he helps the team’s fullbacks and wingers to overload the opposing team’s flanks.
Wide midfielders or wingers occupy either flank of the striker/forward. This position requires stamina and energy as you are at times called upon to provide defensive cover to your team’s fullbacks (Luxbacher 103). In addition, when the team is in the possession and has begun to attack, the winger is charged with the responsibility of creating chances for the team’s strikers.
Most teams encourage their wingers to play on the touchline while attacking as this gives them more options and greater space. Should the team lose possession to the opposition, wingers are required to tuck infield quickly. In this way, wingers work alongside central midfielders, thereby providing cover to the team’s defense. A winger must possess good technical skills, great pace, sound crossing ability, composure, and good passing ability.
Some teams also play with a center-forward of a ‘False 9’. Like a deep-lying striker, a False 9 should also possess good shooting and dribbling abilities. Also, he should have a good vision of the field of play in order to link up with the midfield when he drops deep (Rhody 40). This is an important tactic because should the opposing center backs follow him, they expose their defense line and enable onrushing forwards, midfielders or wingers to take advantage of the defensive lapse.
The key role of a striker is to score goals, although creating goals for other teammates is equally important. To do so, they need to get into the opposing side’s penalty box at least 90% of the time. A good striker should also be a good finisher. A good striker should possess excellent dribbling and ball control skills (Beswick 160). In addition, he needs to possess great accuracy and power while shooting to score. Most good strikers make up for their lack of pace with the good speed of thought. Others create chances for attacking midfielders or wingers to penetrate the opposition’s penalty box. They also apply pressure to the opposition in order to win back possession. These varied roles call for hard work, aggressiveness, sharpness, competitive attitude, resilience, power, and courage.
Conclusion
Soccer has undergone a major evolution and most of the traditional roles of soccer players have changed. In the past, roles were a bit more specialized for filed players than is the case today. For example, forwards were only expected to score goals and hence only stayed upfront. Nowadays, forwards also provide assists for attacking midfielders to score. Besides, forwards contribute to the team’s defensive role by trying to win back possession. On the other hand, defenders always stayed in their areas but today, they are involved in counter-attacks and set pieces.
Works Cited
Beswick, Bill. Focused to soccer, 2nd Ed., Champaign, Illinois: Human Kinetics, 2010. Print.
Luxbacher, Joe. Soccer: Steps to success, Champaign, Illinois: Human Kinetics, 2005. Print.
Luxbacher, Joe. Soccer: Steps to success, 4 E., Champaign, Illinois: Human Kinetics, 2013. Print.
Rhody, Ron. The Soccer Book: A Spectator’s Guide to How to Watch, Under, and Enjoy the Game. Walnut Creek, California: Academy Publishing, 2006. Print.