Tactics - 2

The other day I came across a document I'd printed out a few years ago on the fundamentals of soccer tactics, broken down by positions and offensive/defensive responsibilities. I thought it might be useful for each of us to take a look at them. I'm going to break these into three posts: defenders, midfielders, forwards, but we should read all of them - you never know when you'll end up in a strange position AND we need to function better as a collective unit. So here goes:

Midfielders – as a group

Defensive
§ Work to get goal side at instant of transition
§ Proper angles of recovery
§ Delay attacking progress of opposition (pressure points, pressure pockets)
§ Keep ball in front of midfield
§ Provide cover and balance
§ Understands man to man, zone and combination defending
§ Win 1v1 duels
Attacking
§ Link between backs and forwards; support behind and in advance of the ball
§ Switch point of attack, rhythm of play
§ Penetrate with or without ball; creating space, combination play
§ Finishing, long range shooting

Flank Midfielders
Defensive
§ Defend the flank
§ Proper recovery runs from flank
§ Understands man to man, zone and combination defending
§ Provide cover and balance
§ Track players to goal
§ Delay and contain attacking team
§ Skillful in air and tackling
§ Ability to win 1v1 duels
Offensive
§ Ability to patrol entire flank
§ Ability to play as a winger
§ Establish width in the attack
§ Create space for teammates
§ Ability to penetrate with dribble and combination play
§ Overlapping runs into advance positions
§ Support central midfielders, forwards and backs
§ Ability to service attacking spaces in the box early
§ Finishing

Defensive Midfielder
§ Organizes midfielders and forwards
§ Provide cover to pressuring midfield players
§ Provide balance in midfield
§ Mark attacking midfielder of opposite team
§ Zonal play; laterally across the field
§ Pressure the ball, slow down the attack
§ Ability to double team
§ Ability to win 1v1 duels
§ Communication

Organizing Midfielder
§ Support in advance of ball
§ Support behind the ball
§ Dictate rhythm of play, vision
§ Maintain possession
§ Penetration with or without ball
§ Finishing

Attacking Midfielder
§ Play in advanced areas, close support of forwards
§ Make runs in advance of forwards
§ Penetrate defense with the ball, combination play
§ Receive balls to start counter attacks
§ Finishing