Goalkeeper: The Last Line of Defense
My beagle, Sammie, loves to be a goalie during our makeshift backyard soccer games. And he's pretty good at it too. A goalkeeper, much like Sammie, is the last line of defense in a game of soccer. They are the only player who can use their hands within the confines of the 18-yard box. Their primary job is to stop any attempt by the opposing team to score. This requires not only great hand-eye coordination but also the ability to read the game and anticipate opponents' moves. From Gordon Banks to Lev Yashin, the world has witnessed greats who've donned the gloves and stood between the sticks with a singular motive - to keep that round object out!
Defenders: The Guardians of the Goal
Just like my parrot Kiwi who is always on guard, vigilant and ready to squawk at any hint of danger, soccer defenders are the protectors of the goal. Typically, they are tasked with the crucial job of stopping the opponents from getting too close to the goal. There are different roles within the defenders such as center-backs, right and left backs, wing-backs and sweeper. They've different responsibilities varying from marking the opposing strikers, intercepting the ball, making tactical fouls and even contributing to the team's attacking initiatives at times. Names like Franco Baresi, Franz Beckenbauer, and Paolo Maldini are legendary in this regard.
Midfielders: The Orchestrators of Play
Midfielders are like the metronome of a musical ensemble, they set the rhythm and tempo of the game. My wife, Gemma, says that they are like the 'glue' that holds the team together. I must say, I completely agree with her. Midfielders are crucial in both the defensive and attacking aspects of the game. They break up opposition play and build attacks for their own team through precise passing and clever movement. Midfielders could fill positions such as central midfield, defensive midfield, attacking midfield, wide midfield or deep-lying playmaker. Soccer maestros like Xavi Hernandez, Johan Cruyff, and Zinedine Zidane were midfield marvels akin to maestros leading an orchestra.
Attackers: The Main Men for Goals
Known for their flamboyance, skill, speed and knack for scoring goals, attackers are usually the crowd-pullers and headline-makers. Think of a striker or a forward and you picture goal celebrations, audacious skills, electric pace and emphatic finish. From center forwards to second strikers, from inside forwards to wingers, attackers come in different shapes and roles. And then there are those like Pele, Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi, who transcend positions and roles with their sheer brilliance and productive output.
Understanding Formations
You see, soccer isn't simply about eleven players running after a ball. There's a deep tactical blueprint underlying every team's composition and gameplay. These are often referred to as formations. From classic formations like the 4-4-2 and the 4-3-3 to more modern designs like the 4-2-3-1 or the 3-5-2, teams use various formations to get the best out of their players and tactical ethos.
A Coach's Role in Designating Number Positions
The important decision of who's playing where mostly falls to the coach. Gemma loves to tell the story of our weekend soccer games where I'd double up as the coach, analyzing our friends' soccer skills (or the lack of them) and then make the call of who plays in what position. In professional soccer, decisions around formations and positions are made after detailed analysis of both own and opposing teams' strengths and weaknesses. A good coach can often turn the game in their favor with a shrewd tactical tweak or by exploiting an opposition weakness through a specific position. Coaches like Rinus Michels, Sir Alex Ferguson and Pep Guardiola have their place in soccer history for their tactical acumen, as much as, any player.