It should already know what the opponent wants, i.e. Your team has won possession of the ball. Physically, players need to be able to get to their destinations as fast as possible, sprinting and not jogging is the requirement. This requires lots of training sessions, co-ordination of positional responsibilities and communication. Mentally, your players need to react extremely quickly to a change of possession, perceive the position and movement of opponents and anticipate possible plays so they can prevent them. This is best done by putting a challenging and a support player on the opponent with the ball and everyone else to close down passing options by marking players and closing down passing lanes. You want your team to immediately pressure the ball and not let the opponent get organized into an attacking mode. Looking at it from both teams' point of view: The team that was defending now needs to transition to attacking. The team that lost the ball now needs to transition from attacking to defending, trying to force a turnover. After change of possession, both teams will need to transition: Unless the team in possession scores, there will be a change of possession. So one team is always defending trying to win the ball, while the other wants to move the ball into scoring position and score. Looking at the game from a different perspective, one can say that soccer is a game of constant change of possession. Sounds simple, but with today's athletic ability, technical ability and sophisticated training methods, its not so simple anymore, or is it? Stepping back for a second, the aim of the game of soccer hasn't changed since its inception: Score goals and prevent the opposition from scoring on you. Today, we'd like to briefly review what we believe to be the "engine" of modern soccer tactics: Often times, a player who can also score goals whilst creating several for his teammates is deemed as a second striker.In previous articles we have discussed the relative benefits of a possession vs a fast break approach to the game. Strikers are usually fast and have good dribbling abilities and are known to dummy defenders, create spaces and finish strongly. While strikers are also deemed to be center-forwards, they are a little different in their role. However, in a 4-3-3/3-4-3 formation, wingers convert into forwards, typically known as outside forwards.Ĭenter-forwards often also serve as target man and are used to win long balls and provide a strong aerial presence in the opponent's half.
They are often designated as: center forwards, strikers or second strikers. A strong aerial presence is also sought after in a quality forward to serve as a target man. They need to have strong shooting and finishing ability. Quality forwards have great speed, stamina and intelligence, hence, they are one of the most sought after players. Michael Carrick, Yaya Toure, Bastian Schweinsteigerįorwards play nearest to the opposition's goal and are deemed most responsible for getting on the score sheet. He passes well, has a good shot and is a complete player. He would also be very complementary to Stevie.Ĭarrick gives United balance and can play defensively too. For me, he has the profile to play for Barcelona or any of the Spanish teams. When he gets the ball, he plays it easy and he is available to his team-mates all the time. I think that he could easily fit in the Spanish system because I really like the way he plays. He reads the game so well, he is always ahead of what is going to happen and he is always in the right position. If they are on top of their game and if Carrick plays, because for me he is a top player, then England will have a chance. If Carrick plays for the national team the way that he does for Manchester United, then it would be very good news for England. Take a look what both Xabi Alonso and Xavi had to say about Carrick. Unless you are watching the game intently, you do not appreciate the vitality of such players. And that is what Michael Carrick excels at doing. Their most important duties are to keep possession of the ball and to distribute the ball effectively. However, central midfielders are often the team's engine and are absolutely vital for a team. Most people simply do not understand their roles. No wonder, players like Michael Carrick got a lot of criticism leveled against them. To most fans, his role is misunderstood, and these people are often made into scapegoats for a team's sub-par performances. The central midfielder, it has to be said, is neither a tackler nor a creator.
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