Finding a position in a soccer game is similar to finding a house; You want a place that is comfortable and effective. Like a house, you never know when it's time to move. By discussing with the coach and considering their strengths and weaknesses, anyone can find an advantageous position on the field.
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Method 1 of 4: Selecting an Area on the Field
Step 1. Understand that your position depends on the coach's playing style
The formation that the coach prefers can also affect the position he occupies. Formation refers to the lineup of your team and is a series of numbers representing the number of players in each position starting with the defenders. For example, a "4-4-2" formation means the team has 4 defenders, 4 midfielders and 2 attackers. A 3-5-2 formation means 3 defenders, 5 midfielders and 2 attackers.
The team formation is easiest to see at kick-off, when each player fills the position according to their roles and responsibilities
Step 2. Fill a defensive position if you are a strong, intelligent, and calm person
Great defenders may rarely be heroes, but they play an important role in winning matches. Good defenders/defenders read play and attack to stop threats before they get close to goal. Defenders must be confident and physically strong against opposing players to win the ball both on the ground and in the air. If you like to frustrate your opponents and have them go home empty-handed, be a defender. Natural defenders must:
- Tall and strong, and able to withstand the opponent's big attacker alone.
- Smart and confident, knows when to act and tackle, or when to wait.
- Good at crossing and throwing the ball using both feet.
- Able to communicate effectively with teammates and other defenders.
- Persistent in hunting down opposing attackers throughout the game.
Step 3. Choose a midfield position if you are good at passing and able to keep running throughout the game
Midfielders are versatile players who need to be able to do everything: tackle, pass, shoot, hold the ball, etc. This important role keeps the team together, organizes attacks and passes the ball from the back to the front. In general, midfielders:
- Running up and down the field for a long time.
- Able to pass short and long distances accurately.
- Remain calm and calm when carrying the ball.
- Able to play effectively as a dribbler, shooter, and passer using the right and left foot.
- Understand attack and defense strategies and tactics.
Step 4. Go forward if you are big, fast and like to score goals
A forward/forward, who is sometimes referred to as a striker, has only one job: to score goals. Therefore, attackers are large or fast. The attacker must be strong in the air and able to outrun the opposing defender to get the ball. A good striker is also a great shooter, both on the ground and in the air, and has an aggressive mentality to score goals at any opportunity. A striker prioritizes:
- One-on-one moves and tricks to beat opposing players.
- Blast speed and power to win the ball and shoot.
- Fast and accurate shots from all points in the opponent's penalty box.
- Strong play in the air to win passes and clearances.
Step 5. Try playing as a goalkeeper if you have good reflexes and eye-hand coordination
Good goalkeepers are like cats, they parry the ball as soon as it leaves the opponent's attacker's feet. Goalkeepers must be able to read the entire field and communicate well with team-mates. Goalkeepers also have to be smart, confident, know when it's time to get out of the net and cut the pass or wait for a shot on goal. If you have agile hands and feet, try playing goalkeeper.
Remember that being a goalkeeper is not limited to your hands; Goalkeepers must be able to jump quickly in the blink of an eye to block shots
Step 6. Learn to play in many areas of the court to find the best position for you
While the suggestions above can be a good starting point, you won't find the best position until you've tried them all. What's more, the best players are able to play almost any position and understand the entire pitch, not just a single point. Although body type and style are indeed the key, the most important part in choosing a position is the comfort and effectiveness of the game.
- If you are less than 11-12 years old, there is no need to choose one position. Just play any position.
- When practicing or playing casual with friends, try to move around a lot. What feels most comfortable? What do you like to play the most?
- Based on his body type, Lionel Messi is not suitable as a striker because he is too small. However, his incredible speed, skill and intelligence helped him to become one of the best goalscorers in the world.
Method 2 of 4: Choosing a Defender Position
Step 1. Play in the middle if you are big, strong and smart
The centre-back controls the defense and play. You must have the will to direct players to assist the defence, maintain offside line accuracy when necessary, and win every pass or shot made into the defensive area, unless the team's goalkeeper will handle it. A centre-back is a versatile player, but has to be big enough to fight cup and muscle with opposing players.
- A centre-back must have high football intelligence, know when it's time to step up and attack. They also need to understand when it's time to increase or decrease the pace of play.
- When getting the ball, the central defender must be able to find it and pass it to midfield.
- The ability to read and win ball games is just as important as speed.
Step 2. Play as a full-back if you can run fast and like to be involved in the attack
The wing-backs (outside backs) have to chase and tackle the fastest players on the field so they must have the speed and physicality to do so. What's more, full-backs will often sprint when there are gaps and opportunities to counterattack, creating an "overload", which is when there are more attacking players than defenders.
- Often my defenders will go head-to-head with one-on-ones, which means he has to be smart in tackling opponents.
- Full-backs are usually also good at passing, giving long passes into the opponent's defense box when they are attacking.
- While players in all positions need to work on both feet, full-backs often only need to use their dominant foot.
Step 3. Practice with coaches and other defenders to establish certain positions and responsibilities
There is a lot of variety in these three positions. This is why communication is so crucial. For example, with two centre-backs, would you both be stuck in the middle of the line, or would one person be in charge of the right side, and the other on the left? Your position in the match depends on the type of attack you are playing:
- If the full-backs attack, should the centre-backs move slightly wide to fill in the gaps or should the centre-backs step back a bit?
- Who guards the opposing players on corners or free kicks? Are there other players who are tall and strong in the air to cut passes even if they are not defenders?
- Pay close attention to the trainer's explanation so that you know exactly what the assignment is.
Method 3 of 4: Choosing Midfielder/Midfielder Position
Step 1. Play in the middle of the field if you want to execute an attack and defense strategy
The central midfielder is one of the quickest thinking players on the pitch. They are always on the move, trying to get the ball back in midfield and initiate offensive maneuvers. Teams that fail to control midfield rarely win games; this is your primary responsibility.
- You need to be able to control and pass the ball accurately within 1-2 touches at a time.
- Central midfielder is the most exhausting position on the pitch. Endurance is the key.
- A tight, controlled foot skill is a must have for a central midfielder.
Step 2. Play the position of defensive midfielder if it is calm, calm and effective under all pressures
The defensive midfielder retreats a bit in attack, not because he doesn't attack, but so he can see the whole field. What's more, this player backs off to fill in holes or guard the opposing attackers while defending, making the defensive midfielder a full-fledged player with a lot of responsibility.
- While attacking, you'll often be tasked with receiving passes and changing sides, making passes, or slowing down to reorganize the attack.
- When defending, you need to fill the center of the field to make it difficult for your opponent's attacks. The defensive midfielder tries to snatch the ball from an opposing player starting a quick counter-attack.
Step 3. Fill in the attacking midfielder position if you like quick combinations and long range shots
Set up between a striker and a central midfielder (or, more commonly, a lone defensive midfielder), attacking midfielders often play 1-2 touch passes with teammates to break down defenses and open up shooting opportunities. This midfielder also sometimes shoots or bounces the ball from outside the penalty box which usually pulls the opposing defense forward and creates space for the attacker.
Attacking midfielder is a hybrid position that relies heavily on the team's coaching system. Some coaches like to keep this player in the center of the field to give the striker a “final pass”, while others want you to play as another forward who also steps back to defend
Step 4. Play as an outfielder, or "winger", if able to go on and on at high speed
The wing midfielder needs high speed and strong stamina to defend him. As a winger, it's your job to reach the end of the field to provide a cross, or cut in near the box and shoot from outside. However, you're also in charge of guarding the opposing winger, which means you'll have to run from end to end throughout the game.
- A winger must be able to position himself properly to be able to provide a cross from the side of the field into the opponent's penalty box.
- Wingers tend to have enough tricks and one-on-one moves to beat an opposing defender and make a pass or shot.
- You need to have good footwork and tight feet to keep the ball close to the court line. You'll be running straight at your opponent and challenging him quickly for a pass or shot without much fault tolerance.
Method 4 of 4: Choosing a Forward Position
Step 1. Be a center forward if you are big, strong and can score goals from anywhere
In most teams, the central striker is the top scorer. This player must be aggressive towards goal, equipped with a great shot and the ability to get the ball into the net using any part of the body. They use their strength to hold back defenders and keep the ball, whether to spin and shoot or wait for help to arrive.
- Forward players must have strong and accurate legs.
- The centre-forward must be confident with his back to the goal, even if there is an opposing defender.
- Movements, tricks, and lightning-fast bursts are essential weapons for defeating opposing players.
- You must not only be able to shoot well, but also quickly. You should also be able to shoot with only a small amount of space.
Step 2. Play as a winger if you are good at dribbling and can run fast
Formations with wing forwards usually don't have a wing midfielder, which means the task of piercing from the sidelines falls on the wing attackers. This player is capable of crossing well and skillfully in the air, getting the ball from the attacker on the other side and sending it forward. Wing attackers also have good resilience because they are tasked with protecting half the field or more.
It is highly recommended to have speed and dexterity, as well as controlled foot skills at high speeds
Step 3. Work with partners in a tandem system to create a sharp attacking duo
The combination of attackers that is often used is two front attackers together. However, attackers are ineffective if they cover the same area; sometimes this combination is most ideal when one attacker is more forward than the other. The attacker near the goal holds the ball, facing the center of the field, to lure the opposing defender up. This technique creates space for other defenders to receive the ball against the goal, and fire more shots.
- Usually, the striker near the goal is bigger. They win the ball in the air, hold it in and play it to the shorter striker.
- Shorter attackers are usually quick, turning and facing goal with quick passes and moving with the support of tall attackers.
- Both attackers are always rotating when building attacks and guiding teammates into the opponent's back third.
