Football player positions and possible qualities

Based on my visual experience with FIFA / international club football, I came up with the qualities that a player may possess based on position.

The diagram above represents postion (colour coded).

Wing Backs — rook in chess, wing backs in football:

• The wing backs should be able to fall back when the opponent is attacking.
• Ability to switch play between wings when the game is concentrated on one wing.
• Complement centre backs when one goes up for attack.
• One of the wing backs have to make up one’s mind to play a full time game.
• A commendable sprint speed, acceleration to open up space for attack.

Centre Backs — The Hulk at the back:

• Clear ball out of the attack’s way while opponent attack.
• Have a good rapport with defensive midfielder to build up healthy passes game.
• Serve as last man when his co-CB goes for defending the ball.
• Cover up striker / wingers while in the D box.
• Right time vision to intercept the ball from opponents attack and pass along. Most of the time this avoids the possibility for opponents to counter attack.
• Insane stamina to not let the ball so easily.
• Jack of both legs.
• Man marking is inevitable at all times.

Mid Fielder — the 360 degree man:

• Ball control, a vital element to not get intercepted.
• For a defensive midfielder, pass on the ball in the right direction. It’s an added advantage for a defensive midfielder to have strength and dribbling skills as well. For an attacking midfielder, key passes to create goal scoring opportunity is quite important.
• Be the centre piece, architect for the game. Have to craft, match changing passes to wings, for-ball running strikers and tag team with fellow midfielders, wingers for attack.
• Intercept ball, when opponent is in possession mode.
• Serve as a catalyst to hold possession.

Attacker — Be like a flash:

• For wingers, run when it’s needed. See the gaps right.
• Acceleration / agility to create openings.
• See the space for shooting.
• Lookout for offside traps.
• An acrobatic jumper. Opponent’s blood is going to run cold.
• Not lose shape.

Goalkeeper — The night’s watch:

• Reactions to dive in the right direction to save the ball.
• Acrobatic to reach the ball hit on target.
• Vision, ability to predict the trajectory of the ball.
• Come out of the box to clear when centre backs are not able to reach the ball before the defenders.

Keywords,

1. Attack — Ball is with the team that intends to score a goal.
2. Defense — Trying to take the ball out of opponent’s play.
3. Acceleration — Technically, rate of change of velocity. Ability to reach maximum sprint speed from almost zero speed in a matter of seconds.
4. Agility — Change course of direction while with the ball.
5. Strength — Ability to hold the ball when pushed / pressurized by the opponent.
6. Man mark — Be along with a specific opponent in condition that one stays in the intended position.
7. Interception — Take the ball out of control from opponent to pass it to a team member.
8. Ball control — Ball stays with the player while the opponent hesitates to take the ball to avoid warning.

Disclaimer: These qualities are my take away. Some of the qualities may not even be needed if a team’s formation / strategy varies.