Soccer Field Diagram - Learn The 4 Different Positions

There are four different positions in the soccer field diagram. They are usually termed as Forwards, Midfielders, Defenders, and Goalie/goalkeeper. Let me give you a brief insight into the same.

Forwards

Forwards are those players who have to position themselves near the goal of their opponent team. Players at other position pass them the ball and it is their task to convert that passing of the ball into scoring a goal. Their primary task is to score goals, and that is the reason why they need to be strong enough.

They may lack certain other skills, but it is of vital importance that they should have a strong body with power and energy. Again, it is not always that they play near the opponent?s goal post only. Of course, all the players have to keep moving depending upon the circumstances.

Moreover, they may have to spend some time in the middle of the field also. When forwards play in the midst of the field, they are known as ?strikers?. When they have to play near the touchlines, they are known as ?Wings?. Overall, Forwards must be quick runners with powerful kicking skills and accuracy in shooting.

Midfielders

In general, there can be somewhere between three and six midfielders in a soccer team. They play with an objective to get control of the ball and then pass the same to the forwards so that they could score goals for the team. As the name suggests, midfielders play most of the times in the middle of the field.

The coach should work in a way to enhance the tackling abilities of the midfielders because it is this ability that helps them stealing the ball from the opponent players and pass the same to the Forwards. Midfielders must have great accuracy in passing the ball.

Defenders

In general, there can be somewhere between three and five defenders in a soccer team. Their position in the field is just near their own goalpost, as their main task is to save the goals attempted by the opponent players. That is the reason why they are termed as defenders.

What is more, it is also their task to take the ball from the goalie and pass the same to the midfielders. They have to kick the ball very far to the midfielders. Therefore, it is important for the coach to train them accordingly.

Goalie of course saves the goal for your team, and is the only player in the soccer field diagram who is allowed to use his hands.

Andre Botelho is a recognized authority on the subject of soccer field diagram. His web site, Youth Soccer Drills, provides a wealth of informative soccer articles, resources and tips for soccer coaches, parents and players.

How To Teach Soccer Ball Skills

Teaching soccer ball skills is not an easy cake, but by using the following tips and techniques, you can take much pain out of the proceedings. But, while you use these techniques in your training session, you must show patience because players may take time to improve their overall game skills.

Getting Control of the Ball

It is important for a coach to teach the players about how to get and keep control of the ball. For example, when they shoot or kick a ball, they should keep their head down if they want the ball to stay down. Likewise, in order to kick the ball high in the air, they should do so by leaning back and getting under the ball.

Here, it is important to note that the ball may go straight up the players do not keep their knee over the ball. To let the ball fly high in the air, the players must keep their knee over the ball while leaning back and getting under the ball.

Teaching Accurate Shooting

In a soccer game, the team that knows how to shoot on target accurately wins. Therefore, teaching your players to shoot the ball with accuracy is very important. One simple way to improve the accuracy in shooting the ball is to give your players a margin of error between two cones.

You can start with as much as four-meter distance between the cones. Then, as you find improvement in the player?s shooting, you should slowly reduce this distance until it is zero and there is no cone. This is a very effective way to enhance your players? focus to the shooting of the ball.

Teaching the Free-Kicks

Your players must know how to make long free kicks. In this training session, you have to have the players of your team practicing the free kicks. But, while the players are attempting the long free kicks, make sure that you instruct the players to keep their non-kicking foot alongside the ball and pointing in the direction you want the ball to go. Instruct the players to slightly lean back and swing their kicking foot back and forth.

Practice makes the players perfect. Therefore, make sure that you use the above techniques extensively in your various training sessions. After a few sessions, you will certainly find improvement in your team?s game. The above techniques are some of the finest way to enhance numerous soccer ball skills to the young players.

Andre Botelho is a recognized authority on the subject of soccer ball skills. His web site, Youth Soccer Drills, provides a wealth of informative soccer articles, resources and tips for soccer coaches, parents and players.

Junior Soccer Defending - Directing the Play

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Do your players know whether to show an opponent inside or outside when they are defending?

You may want to consider this tactic when coaching your players. There are two schools of thought on this; One says that your defenders should show the opponents outside towards the touchline.

The reason for this is that if your player does get beat then the opponent will still have to get a cross in. Also, they should be at a more acute angle to get a shot on target if they have been successfully pushed outside.

The alternative to this is showing the opponents inside, towards goal. If this is to be your style of play then the players need to be organised so that there is strength inside. This can be a risky tactic if players are not switched on or don't know where to best position themselves.

Showing them inside would be a good tactic if you where playing with five in defence with a good sweeper.

If your team lacks some direction on this tactic, then it will be very difficult for them to get an organised shape and take a position which is best suited to holding up or breaking down an attack.

Both young and older players can be coached on this.

As players get older, and become more tactically aware & proficient in defending techniques, they will be able to influence the build up play and therefore your defensive line can react, and adjust, by taking the lead off the first defender.

Build this simple tactic into some small sided games in training and watch the beneficial results on match day! For more Junior Soccer help, drills, exercises and coach development visit http://www.juniorsoccercoach.com and join the free junior soccer tip of the week. Or send a blank email to: mailto:tips@juniorsoccercoach.com