PLAYER TRAITS by Position:
Forward or forwards
Aggressive, creative, risk taker, dare devil, wants to go against the odds and show she’s better, relishes going against
tough players and beating them, shakes off hard tackles, puts her body into tight spaces for the chance to score,
decisive, runs side to side, jumps in pockets, turns under pressure, distributes to midfield, makes new runs into space,
shoots when given daylight, follows shots, heads the ball off of crosses, will slide to knock a ball in the goal, thanks her
teammate for a great pass that leads to her shot or goals.
Center mid or mids
Facilitator for team, must be able to create space with dribbling, tough tackler, good communicator, good work rate,
wins physical challenges, willing accurate passer, good vision for field, looks for top of the box shots, ok with defenders
on her back and receiving the ball, has eyes in the back of her head, plays box to box, doesn’t back down from a physical
challenge, good through and diagonal passes for forwards or outside mids, helps team switch to the other side of the
field to exploit open space, good in tight spaces.
Outside mids
Plays wide when we have the ball, body sideways to see the field, gets square of the outside back to offer an easy entry
pass into the midfield and to provide more space for center mid, runs up and down the field, lots of energy and
endurance, defends the back post on the weakside, plays good 1v1 defense on ball side, pinches in and moves behind
the ball on the weakside but keeps her player in sight, can overlap forward, or if outside back overlaps she switches to
the outside back position until the defender can recover, likes to cross, shoot and attack the back side of the goal when
opposite side mid is crossing the ball.
Can attack in the offensive 3rd and look for a shot on goal, willing to head the ball in defending our goal or attacking the
other team’s goal, stays even with the ball up and down the field on offense, on defense plays behind the ball on the
weakside and plays even with her mark on the strong side looking for an interception. If her left back steps up because
she’s been beat, she runs past her left back to help support her in case she gets beat as well.
Outside D-backs
Tough tackler, touch tight marking on ball side, pinches in towards the middle and behind center back on weak side, no
dribbling in defensive 3rd, gives support options for midfield, traps the ball and passes into the midfield or can play the
ball down the line for the forward, lots of talking to midfield to give them information about pressure and where to go
with the ball, receives a lot of balls out of the air, doesn’t let punts get past her. Overlapping runs around the outside
midfielder or in between center mid and outside mid if there is space and time. Can get a cross into the box if they
receive a support pass from an attacker in the offensive 3rd, when receiving a pass from center back from receive the
ball facing the middle of the field not facing her own goal.
Center D- back (s)
Good communicator to defense and midfield, sure tackler, doesn’t take risks when 1v1 with an attacker unless she has
back up, instead jockeys and slows down attacker until help arrives, distributes the ball to outside fullbacks but will clear
the ball if under heavy pressure, receives the ball well out of the air off of punts and heads the ball well. Doesn’t dribble
in the defensive 3rd but may make a run through the midfield if there is time and space.
Goalkeeper
Loud, aggressive, confident, can shake off a goal and forget about it quickly, realizes that she is part of a team and that
she is a link in the chain, not the whole chain, catches the ball in traffic, dives, deflects the ball wide and over the bar if
the ball is not catchable, distributes the ball wide on punts and throws, will receive a pass from a defender,
communicates to her defenders, makes sure everyone is marked up, doesn’t mind getting muddy, likes a bruise or two,
encourages her teammates, thanks them for strong tackling, good marking and quick clearances, has fun!
Own Your Game! I look forward to an awesome year of Celtic Soccer, playing with
Power, Pride and Passion!
Thx Coach Dan R