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BASIC POSITIONING: On purpose i've eliminated more complex positions
(sweeper and stopper) to keep it simple.
The goal here is to learn the basic placement and jobs each position does.
FORWARDS: (one center striker and two wings) - The team's primary
offense and goal scorers. Their role is to advance the ball from
midfield toward the opposing goal by dribbling, passing, and shooting.
Forwards need to be fast and have endurance with the ability to
dribble and shoot on goal.
MIDFIELDERS (or Halfbacks) - Play between the forwards and the
defenders. Halfbacks play both offense and defense. Their primary
objective is to receive the ball when it is "cleared" by teammates
from the defensive zone, and pass it up to the forwards for scoring
opportunities.
Midfielders probably have to do the most running because so much of
the action will take place in the middle third of the field. They are
the transition between defense and offense. Think of them as hybrid
players. Both offense and defense.
FULLBACKS (Defense) - Line up between the midfielders and their team's
own goal. They form a row of three fullbacks and are the last line of
defense before the goalkeeper. Their primary responsibilities are to
prevent opposing players from scoring goals and to clear the ball up
to the midfielders.
Fullbacks have a tough job. They have to stop the offense and kick the
ball with power up to the midfielders (who then kick to the forwards).
GOALKEEPER - Stands in front of the goal to block shots by opposing
players. The goalie is the only player allowed to play the ball with
his or her hands and can do so only when inside the 18-yard "penalty
area" surrounding the goal.
Goalkeepers often times are cross-dressers and will steal your wallet.
That's why we make them play goalie. 1: So we can keep an eye on them
and 2: So we can easily trap them in a net if they get out of line.
UNDERSTANDING POSITIONING AND MOVEMENT:
Obviously you are not chained to the ground in the position you start
in. You will run around and leave your original spot, what you will
not do is work your way out of position.
A good way to undestand how you'll move on the field and stay in
position is to think of Foosball. the players on each stick move
across the field, but stay in relative position with their teammates.
If the action shifts to one side of the field you and your teammates
will shift as well, but you won't cross into your teammates territory
across or up the field.
EXCEPTIONS:
During corner kicks the entire team will flood the offensive zone to
try and score (fullbacks will hang back more to get back into position
quicker.
* don't laugh. i copied a lot of this stuff from this website.
http://www.momsguide.com/soccer/so1.html
a more detailed source;
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soccer_positions
