POSITIONAL PROFILES

All our coaches will be encouraged players to develop in a number of positions as they transition through the Foundation, Youth Development and Transition Stages.

Supporting players to gain a better understanding of the game, be versatile and also develop a wider knowledge of the game. Typically as players start to come towards the end of the Youth Development phase, they are  confident in a primary and secondary position.

• Good communication and organises the defence
• Adopts a high starting position when team in possession, ready to offer an angle for a back pass
• Good control and distribution with both feet
• Can vary distribution from the hands, always looking to start attacks
• Quick reactions including when needed to block shots or intercept an opponent’s through ball
• Very brave and a good shot-stopper

• Offers width when in possession & always ready to receive from goalkeeper
• Loves to get forward and offer support to attackers (overlaps / combination play)
• Strong and aggressive in 1v1 situations
• Makes good decisions on when to press and when to hold
• Communicates well with fellow defenders and understands how to defend as part of a unit (press, slide, drop etc.)
• Loves tackling including blocking shots and crosses

• Very strong and courageous and committed to winning 1v1 duels
• Communicates well with fellow defenders and understands how to defend as part of a unit (press, slide, drop etc.)
• Very good organisational skills, is focused and shows good concentration levels
• Loves blocking shots, clearing the danger area and is good in the air
• Comfortable on the ball and can take the ball into midfield
• Can pass the ball short and long

• Very efficient in possession with good pass success rate
• A real team player who will protect the defenders
• Good reader of the game who regains possession regularly; intercepts and tackles well
• Aware of what is around him at all times (“can play through 360 degrees”)
• Good range of passing, always looking to start attacks
• Excellent stamina, tracks and marks opponents well and recovers quickly

• Always available and able to receive the ball, even if under pressure
• Will always look for space and offer an option to teammate in possession
• Very creative and skillful and loves to have attempts on goal
• Looks to play quickly and loves attacking defenders
• Good passing skills and sees opportunities for combination play
• Takes up good positions when opponents have possession, always being ready to counter attack

• Good receiving and turning skills and looks to play forward
• Looks to isolate defenders and receive the ball in dangerous positions
• Has explosive speed and excellent skill to consistently beat opponents 1v1
• Provides supply of ball to teammates through accurate passing and good crossing ability
• Loves to score goals and regularly gets into goal scoring positions himself
• Always ready to press opponents when team not in possession and fill in for his attacking full back when required

• Works very hard, always showing for teammates and providing an outlet whilst also pressing opponents when they have the ball
• Excellent movement and positioning, always looking to attack space or create space for others
• Creative and clever at set up play, linking with teammates for combination moves
• Strong and aggressive to hold the ball up and keep possession
• Good goal scoring abilities using a wide range of finishes with both feet and also headers
• Always alert with good reaction skills and determination
• Loves to attack 1v1 and gets shots on goal