SoundSoccer.com SOCCER SYSTEMS OF PLAY (With Diamond Midfield) Positional Roles created by Randy Hanson, www.SoundSoccer.com , ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 4 - 4 – 2 (with Diamond Midfield) POSITIONAL ROLES GK - GOALKEEPER CF CF CB - CENTER BACK AM OB - OUTSIDE BACK CM CM DM - DEFENSIVE MIDFIELDER DM OB OB CM - CENTER MIDFIELDER CB CB AM - ATTACKING MIDFIELDER GK CF - CENTER FORWARD POSITION DEFENSIVE ROLE ATTACKING ROLE ~ Make saves! (“1-touch” goalkeeping) ~ Quick, accurate distribution ~ Direct Defense ~ Support attack and contribute to team build-up GOALKEEPER ~ Control Penalty Area (especially on crosses) ~ “Sweep” behind defense (vertical positioning) ~ Direct defense ~ Effective support and passing to keep possession ~ Disciplined central cover ~ Dictate attack-change side/build up/play direct CENTER ~ Effective 1v1 defending/ball winning ~ Positive contribution to set pieces BACK ~ Dominant in air & effective technical clearing ~ Mark tightly in penalty area on crosses ~ Provide pressure and cover on strong side of field ~ Provide width & support on strong side ~ Provide cover and balance on weak side of field ~ Accurate passing to start attack OUTSIDE ~ Stop crosses (effective 1v1 defending/ball winning) ~ Effective combination play on flank BACK ~ Mark tightly in penalty area on crosses weak side ~ Beat players 1v1 in attacking ½ ~ Dominant in air & effective technical clearing ~ Quality crosses in attacking ½ ~ “Screen” passes to forwards (stop counter) ~ Deep lying “playmaker” connecting lines of team ~ “Protect” center backs (solid 1v1 ball winning) ~ Dictate attack - build up or play direct DEFENSIVE ~ “Double back” on oppositions forwards ~ Solve pressure/effective individual possession MIDFIELDER ~ Dominant in air and effective technical clearing ~ Long-range finishing ~ Drop into back line if needed ~ Choice to provide compactness in midfield or to ~ Choice (with CF) to provide width pressure oppositions back line ~ Support & combine with teammates to help CENTER ~ Intercept passes in midfield when forwards press penetrate on the flank MIDFIELDER ~ Work with outside back to defend flank/crosses ~ Beat players 1v1 and deliver quality crosses ~ Provide balance in midfield when ball is weak side ~ Make far post runs to finish crosses ~ Choice to provide compactness in midfield or to ~ Support forwards pressure oppositions back line ~ Integrate into forward line/make penetrating runs ATTACKING ~ Position near oppositions defensive mid/playmaker ~ Dribble at back line to play “final pass” or finish MIDFIELDER ~ Intercept passes in midfield when forwards press ~ Make far post/penalty spot run on crosses ~ Win knockdowns from our and oppositions backs ~ Get around ball/become playmaker when needed ~ Pressure defense (stop counter-attack/direct play) ~ Score & create goals (be “goal dangerous”) ~ Cover other forward when not pressuring ~ Provide depth (occupy/get behind center backs) CENTER ~ Position to keep play predictable for teammates ~ Effective timing/placement of runs behind defense FORWARD ~ “Double back” in midfield to win possession ~ Support build-up/retain possession so teammates ~ Position to create our counter-attack can join attack (also choice with CM to provide width) www.SoundSoccer.com created by Randy Hanson, www.SoundSoccer.com , ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.