The following posts have been tagged with "soccer formations"...
Soccer RDMF
Right Defensive Midfielder. (See “Formations“). Right is as you face the other soccer team’s goal.
Soccer Possession Style
An “indirect” style of play that emphasizes soccer ball control and many short passes, as opposed to long airballs. The argument in favor of this style is that it teaches soccer players to control the soccer ball. The argument against overemphasis on this style is that soccer players can lose sight of the real objective, which is to score, and not to just see how many consecutive passes can be made (i.e, a team should possess the soccer ball in order to score, but the objective is to score and not to just possess the soccer ball). Most Recreational soccer teams cannot be successful trying to play a possession style because they aren’t capable of making 7-10 consecutive passes under pressure. Some people think “Possession Soccer” cannot be combined with “Attacking Soccer” (meaning a more direct style that uses long passes and long “over-the-top” airballs), but that is not true. In fact, the two styles can be effectively combined. For example, the Amsterdam professional soccer team Ajax (pronounced “eye’ ax”) does so, often playing a series of short passes in the “middle third” (in order to lull the opponent and to give their Forwards time to go forward) and then suddenly sending a long airball into the Penalty Box. See “Styles of Play”, “Formations” and “Attacking Plan” for more information and attacking styles more suitable for recreational teams.
Soccer Positions
See “Forwards” (F), “Fullbacks” (FB), “Midfielders” (MF), “Goalkeeper” (GK), and “Stopper” (S) & “Sweeper” (SW). LF is Left F, CF is Center F, RF is Right F, etc. In designating soccer positions, as you face the other team’s goal, Right (e.g., RMF) is to your right. (See “Formations“, “Small Sided“, “Number of Players” & “Zone Defense“).
Soccer Players
The soccer rules, which are called the “Laws of the Game,” call for 11 soccer players per side, although a soccer team can play with as few as 7. However, most youth soccer leagues play with fewer than 11 until age 12 or 14. Contact your soccer association to discuss their rules or go to “Laws of the Game” at www.fifa.com. (See “Formations“, “Positions” and “Small Sided“).
Soccer Pass To Space
Teach players to “pass to space” (i.e., to “open space”) & teach receivers to anticipate passes to space, as opposed to “passing to feet”. These passes are sometimes called “leading passes” (if they are made to space in front of a receiver) or “through passes” (if they are through the defense into the open space behind the defense). This is a very important soccer concept to teach & one that I think should be introduced by U-8 & definitely by U-10. It becomes increasingly important, as soccer players become older, & is very important by U-12. An advantage of this style of play (as opposed to “passing to feet”) is that soccer players learn they must be alert and must go to the ball and not wait for the ball to come to them. Passing to space also encourages “movement off the ball”. (See “Creating Space“, “Leading Pass“, “Through Ball“, “Wall Pass“, “Formations“, “Attacking Plan“, “Styles of Play“, “Pass To Yourself“, “Open Space“, “Pass To Feet“. Also see the Section titled “Scoring More Goals”). I strongly recommend you teach “Passing to Space” and “Aggressive Receiving” — Passing to Space is easier for beginning soccer players and will result in much better soccer ball movement, better soccer ball possession, use of Open Space and “field vision”. Aggressive Receiving” is a better way to teach receiving and will result in a big improvement in your soccer players and their ability to retain the soccer ball.
Soccer OMF
Abbreviation for Offensive Midfielder. (See “Midfielders” & “Formations“).
Soccer Offensive Midfielders
(Abbreviation is “OMF”). See “Formations“.
Soccer Number of Players
The rules, which are called the “Laws of the Game,” call for 11 soccer players per side, although a soccer team can play with as few as 7. However, most youth soccer leagues play with fewer than 11 until age 12 or 14. Contact your soccer association to discuss their rules or go to “Laws of the Game” at www.fifa.com. (See “Formations“, “Positions” and “Small Sided“).
Soccer Midfielders
(abb. “MF”; aka Halfbacks) Play between Forwards & Fullbacks. Must support the Forwards & also support the Fullbacks. Used to be called “linkmen” because they link the Fullbacks & Forwards. Must run more than any position & must have good stamina or be subbed a lot. On my U-16 recreational soccer team we have 2 “Offensive MF’s” (”OMF’s”) & 2 “Defensive MF’s” (”DMF’s”). (We play a 3-2-2-3, see “Formations”). My “MF’s” move up on the attack & can move into scoring position & score if the opportunity is created. However, they must get back & cover their position & remember they are a mid-fielder. I encourage them to take long chip shots at the top of the goal, but not long grounders that the goalkeeper will easily pick up. On defense, I bring the DMF’s back just outside the Penalty Box. We play a zone defense & the Defensive MF’s will shift from side to side & move into the Penalty Box if necessary, depending on where the soccer ball is, but the LMF (Left MF) & RMF (Right MF) will not go past the “center”; that way we always have someone covering the center even if the soccer ball is far to one side. (The right and left sides are as you face the other team’s soccer goal). (See “Formations” and “Positions“).
Soccer LOMF
Left Offensive Midfielder. Left is as you face the other soccer team’s goal. (See “Formations“).