| 4-4-2 | | | | are involved in shutting down any play and play |
| Defense;4, defenders are usually arranged as | | | | making. These players really read the game well. |
| outside left, inside left, inside right and outside right. | | | | They need to, or they would be doing all the |
| The most recent idea is to have them lined up in a | | | | running.Midfield4, mid-fielders are usually arranged as |
| banana shape with the middle of the curve closest to | | | | outside left, inside left, inside right and outside |
| the goalkeeper and the outside defenders, the | | | | right.The outside players are called, wingers or flank |
| points, slightly ahead but behind the midfielders.As this | | | | players and are also involved in striking at the goal. |
| is the shape of a banana the defenders can see one | | | | This would make this line up have a possibility of 4 |
| another usualy all the time.Some considered the flat | | | | strikers at any given time.These wingers usually have |
| back option but this means much more | | | | the bulk of the running to do as they could carry the |
| communication from the capitain of the defense | | | | ball from the defending third and into the attacking |
| usually one of the insiders. The general idea is to | | | | third. This also depends on the team strategy as |
| have the two defenders attend to the attack | | | | outlined by the coaching staff.The two inside |
| coming in from their side. This means that the | | | | midfielders are supposed to be the "play makers". |
| opposite outside tucks in a little to cover the center | | | | These are the individuals who are responsible for |
| of the field covering the goal and any incoming | | | | carrying out the plans the coach and players have |
| additional attacking opponents. When the team has | | | | designed and used as the methods of attack and |
| possession the defenders would then play wide to | | | | goal scoring.These positions have traditionally played |
| stretch out the other teams attackers.This is also | | | | these roles. However nowadays the play making |
| known as playing it around the back.Sometimes the | | | | comes from anyone and sometimes all the players at |
| defenders can be lined up in a diamond shape. This is | | | | any given time.These inside players have also been |
| to utilize the last player back as a "sweeper" who | | | | more defensive in their general on field play.This |
| clears the ball up the field and out to the other | | | | defensive idea is to stop the opposition from creating |
| defenders and mid fielders. | | | | attacking options.Forwards;These are the main |
| This player is in constant communication with the | | | | ggoooooooooooalll scoring machines. The ones who |
| goalkeeper and relays the message to the other | | | | react to the ball quickly and are able to shoot from |
| defenders. This is because the goalkeepers can see | | | | any place on the field. To be effective they should |
| the complete field from their vantage point.At times | | | | work closely together as a team and pair. To this |
| and in some cases too often this central defender will | | | | extent they are sometimes called "twin strikers".They |
| by-pass the midfield and play it up to the forwards. I | | | | are also responsible for creating space by making the |
| say too often because this usually has the forwards | | | | defenders mark them. They make the defense leave |
| out numbered by the opposing defenders.. However | | | | their zonal resposibilities whereby taking them "out of |
| there are a few "power forwards" who could handle | | | | the game".Steve September of On The Ball Soccer |
| this situation, but most are unable too.The defender | | | | Training has been involved in soccer for over forty |
| at the top of the diamond is considered the | | | | years and on three continents. As a player, player |
| "stopper" whose duty is to challenge any attack or | | | | coach and high performance coach Steve wants to |
| attacking play. They usually play from side to side | | | | share the knowledge and experiences with all levels |
| rather than up and down the field. These defenders | | | | of people involved in the soccer scene. |