Techniques Vital for Success as a Forward:

(1) Receiving and turning under intense pressure.
(2) Laying balls off to teammates.
(3) Dribbling for penetration and possession.
(4) Heading – attacking.
(5) Tackling.
(6) Crossing from varying angles and positions.
(7) Receiving flighted balls to chest, head etc.
(8) Shooting, both from distance and close range.
(9) First time re-directions – finishing with finesse.
(10) Passing, accurate short and long.

Application of Techniques:

Forwards as a group – defensively:

• Recovery runs to get behind the ball.
• Steering the opponents to one side of the field.
• Pressing the opposition defenders, and midfielders from behind.
• Offer cover and balance for teammates.
• Delay the attack to allow teammates to recover and regroup.
• Individual defending – don’t dive in.

Forwards as a group – attacking:

• Making positive forward runs in advance of the ball.
• Dribbling for penetration and possession.
• Mobility without the ball to disrupt opponents defense.
• Combination play with players both in advance of and behind the ball.
• Bending runs to avoid off-side.
• Crossing and finishing.
• Stretch the opposition to create space.

Wingers – attacking:

• Offer width.
• Beating an opponent before crossing.
• Delivering early crosses.
• Dribbling for penetration and possession.
• Offer support in advanced positions.
• Mobility off the ball to disrupt opposition back line.
• Finishing from distance and close range.

Techniques Vital for Success as a Midfielder:

(1) Accurate passing, both long and short.
(2) Receiving and turning under intense pressure.
(3) Shooting, both from distance and close range.
(4) Dribbling for possession and penetration.
(5) Heading, attacking and defensive.
(6) Tackling.
(7) Crossing from varying angles and positions.

Application of Techniques:

Midfielders as a group – defensively:

• Pressing opponents to disrupt their flow.
• Offer pressure on ball, support, and balance.
• Delay the opposition attack through “squeezing” space.
• Provide zonal, man-to-man or a combination scheme.
• Recovery runs to get behind the ball.
• Transition from attack to defense.
• Communication with fellow midfielders, defenders and forwards.

Midfielders as a group – attacking:

• Offer support, both behind and in advance of the ball.
• Transition from defense to attack quickly.
• Make positive forward runs (with or without ball)
• Maintain team balance and shape.
• Link the play from defenders to attackers.
• Offer width and depth.
• Make runs to exploit and create space for self and teammates.
• Alter the flow of the game (high tempo etc)
• Make runs in advance of the forward line.
• Shooting from distance and close range – finishing.
• Combination play in middle and attacking thirds of field.

Techniques Vital for Success as a Defender:

(1) Heading ability.
(2) Tackling.
(3) Intercepting balls followed by quick distribution.
(4) Clearing ability.
(5) Quick and accurate passing.
(6) Range of passing (short and lofted)
(7) Crossing from varying angles.
(8) Long range shooting.
(9) Dribbling to beat an opponent (advanced areas of field)
(10) Finishing.

Application of Techniques:

Central defenders – defensive:

• Providing cover and balance.
• Zonal, man-to-man or a combination of both.
• Denying space, closing players down and controlled tackling.
• Angles of recovery.
• Ball winning.
• Organizing the back line, midfield players through quality communication.
• Maintaining appropriate spacing in relation to midfield and goalkeeper.

Central defenders – attacking:

• Quick distribution, both short and long.
• Set-pieces, use aerial advantage.
• Provide depth in attack to advanced players.
• Step into midfield to create a numbers-up situation.
• Start counter-attack.

Full-backs – defending:

• Providing cover and balance.
• Deny penetration from wide areas.
• Angle of recovery runs and tracking opponents.
• Pinching-in when ball on opposite side.
• Marking assignments.
• Quality communication to other defenders and midfielders.

Full-backs – attacking:

• Provide width in the attack.
• Play as a wide player with or without the ball to unbalance opposition.
• Provide an early outlet for Goalkeeper as well as other teammates.
• Offer support from behind and in advance of the ball.
• Maintain team shape (ball on near or far side).