Individual Positional Responsibilities

Positional Responsibilities & Guidance

Use the information below to consider your individual positional responsibilities. Of course, you will need to listen to the specific instructions your coach may have but the info below gives you a solid idea of what you should be thinking about and working on, depending on your position.

There is clearly more detail to each position but this guide simplifies what should be your main responsibilities based on your position. You can download this positional info using the link at the bottom of the page.

GOALKEEPER

Examples of sweeper keeper, passing and positioning – https://youtu.be/1fyWOXIt8sA

• Strongly consider positioning yourself as a sweeper. This way you act as an additional defender so that your team essentially have an additional center back (with you in the deepest position).
• Always be an option for a back-pass when teammates face your goal in possession. Constantly check your surroundings. If you don’t have a clear passing option (with a teammate under no pressure), the best option is usually to play longer to a wide player or the center forward.
• When defenders move up the field, go forward with them. Stay 15-20 yards behind them and always be alert to intercept any counter long balls behind the back line. This is a vital role for you, intercepting long/through balls. However be aware of long shots from distance if you stray too far off your line and your team lose possession.
• If your team like to build from the back, play short to center backs from goal kicks. If your team are being aggressively pressed by multiple opponents, you have to make the decision whether or not to kick longer (it is a good option if a forward is in a potential 1v1 situation because the other team are pressing high).

CENTER BACK

Examples of driving out of the back, covering space, passing and interceptions – https://youtu.be/5q1nXewu1Fs

• When opponents are looking to play long balls, one center back should always drop in anticipation of this, while the other center back marks the opposing center forward. The long ball should not be able to beat the center back who has dropped deeper, plus the keeper who should also be at the top of or outside of the penalty area, looking to intercept. The ball has to be perfect to beat that combination of center backs plus keeper.
• Stay 5 yards or so deeper than full backs (especially when circulating the ball at the back) so you are not in a straight line and can always be a passing option when they have pressure. When defenders or midfielders face you in possession, drop deeper to give yourself space to receive the ball. Always be an option from throw ins taken by full backs; drop deep enough back to give yourself time and space.
• Drive forward if you are not pressed when in possession or opponents leave space for you to exploit. If necessary, a midfielder should cover for you (this is something you have to work on and communicate during training so that your teammates understand positional rotation if/when you drive forward).
• If you have time and space, look for diagonal long passes towards the wide forwards or wingers (in behind defenders if possible) so they have a 1v1 situation or run on goal.

FULL BACK

Examples of defensive and attacking movement/concepts for full backs – https://youtu.be/Q2a_dJ_YnyI

• When your team have possession on your side of the field, get wide and create width; be ahead of the center backs to give forward passing options rather than sideways.
• Whenever there is space in front of you, drive forward in possession but be aware of not running into multiple players without passing options ahead of you.
• When the other full back advances with the ball, consider sprinting forward to be an option for either a switch to the wide area or a ball through the middle (your run can be inverted centrally if your wide forward or winger stays wide; this requires verbal communication and eye contact between you both).
• If you pass the ball diagonally into the middle of the field, move forward on the wing to give the next passing option. If you pass the ball straight down the line, move forward diagonally into the middle to give a return passing option.

DEFENSIVE MIDFIELD / PIVOT

Examples of tackling, interceptions, covering and passing – https://youtu.be/J0zv-4YxO9U

• If one of your center backs goes forward, you should be the first option to fill in for them so check surroundings/opponents and decide whether you need to drop deeper to cover. Also be aware of full backs attacking and leaving their position exposed; you need to cover that danger.
• From goal kicks especially and also when center backs or full backs have the ball, you always have to be a passing option. If you are tightly marked, check out of the space and let one of the other midfielders rotate in to give a passing option.
• Stay centrally as much as possible without straying into wide areas. Your full backs and wide forwards have the wide areas covered; your team needs your presence in the middle of the field.
• When space opens up and you are in possession, drive forward to commit opposing players, which will open up space behind them.
• Because this is such a vital position, you must communicate constantly to organize midfielders. There is pressure on you to do a lot of work both when your team have possession and when you don’t. Thrive on the responsibility and importance of this role for your team by working hard and being disciplined with your positioning and movement.

CENTER MIDFIELD (INCLUDING CAM)

Examples of movement off the ball, playing between the lines, passing and creativity – https://youtu.be/MAw6K-yDAqg

Examples of always showing for the ball and finding space to receive – https://youtu.be/21Kwovy2gws

• When your team are in possession, you should operate as a rotating triangle or pair, depending how many central midfielders your team plays with (including defensive mid). Once you have passed the ball, vacate your space and look to rotate with another midfielder. The opposing midfielders should always have to question themselves on who to mark. Constant movement on your part is vital.
• Look to receive on the half-turn and drive towards goal as often as possible. Sideways and backwards passes are fine but only when there is not a potential forward pass or run available. Play positively, not passively. Primarily the goal of this game is to attack and midfield players are a big part of that. Check your shoulders constantly; know exactly what’s going on around you.
• If your team play long balls into central or wide areas, you must react and make up ground to pick up the second ball when defenders potentially knock it down or clear it. If you are intelligent about your run and follow the long pass as it is in the air, you will very often pick up the 2^nd ball before an opponent.
• When wide forwards attack with the ball, particularly in 1v1 situations, you must do everything you can to get forward and give an option of a cutback pass. Additionally, if the ball is being crossed, arrive late (you will almost never be marked in this situation) and be an option to get on the end of the cross or pick up loose balls on the edge of the penalty area.

FORWARD / WINGER

Examples of movement off the ball, dropping deep to receive and diagonal runs – https://youtu.be/kHOIfRML4Io

Examples of diagonal and curved runs off the shoulder of defenders to receive in space – https://youtu.be/dD1GBBVT724?t=45

Examples of movement to pull defenders around and create space for teammates – https://youtu.be/nsXYI5r3imM

• If your coach allows it, multiple forwards should interchange and rotate in terms of your positions. This confuses opponents and keeps them guessing on who to mark and how to deal with the individual challenges each player presents. Communication (eye contact and verbal) is vital to allow this forward rotation.
• If the opposing full back advances, look to occupy the space behind the full back or the channel between full back and centre back. Depending on your coaches’ instructions, you may need to help when defending so occupying this space won’t always be possible.
• Your movement and runs should be unpredictable; that means curved runs to lose your man or diagonal runs across the front of the opposing defenders where you will not be followed and picked up.
• Keep your touches limited unless you face the opponents’ goal in a 1v1 situation. When you receive with your back to goal, lay the ball off quickly to a teammate and spin immediately to give another passing option or drag a defender out of their position. Check your shoulders constantly; know exactly what’s going on around you and whether a defender is marking you.
• If one of the midfielders advances forward, you can drop deeper into the vacated space to lose your marker and be a passing option. Outside of this situation, as a forward or winger, you should try to stay high and be a passing/through ball option.

If you are unsure about anything, always ask your coach in the first instance. if you are looking for additional advice or guidance, you can email me [email protected].