Formations and roles · Analysis
Second striker: the forward who plays off the number 9
A second striker plays off and just behind the main striker, linking midfield to attack and scoring. Role table, diagram, examples and how to spot one.
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Tactics
Formations and roles · Analysis
Inverted Winger: the wide forward who cuts inside onto his stronger foot
An inverted winger plays on the side opposite his stronger foot and cuts inside to shoot or combine. Role table, diagram, examples and how to spot one.
Formations and roles · Analysis
Poacher: the striker who lives in the penalty area
A poacher is a striker who stays in the box and scores from close range with few touches. Role table, diagram, examples and how to spot one.
Formations and roles · Analysis
Target Man: the striker the long ball is aimed at
A target man is a tall, strong striker who wins long balls, holds the ball up and brings team-mates in. Role table, diagram, examples and how to spot one.
Formations and roles · Analysis
Sweeper-Keeper: the goalkeeper who defends the space behind his back line
A sweeper-keeper plays far off his line to clear balls in behind a high defensive line and joins the build-up. Table, diagram, examples and history.
Formations and roles · Analysis
Goalkeeper: the last defender and the first passer
A goalkeeper stops shots, commands the box and starts attacks. The role at a glance in a table, a 4-3-3 diagram, the laws, examples and how to read one.
Formations and roles · Analysis
4-3-3 vs 4-2-3-1: One Midfield Triangle, Turned Upside Down
A 4-3-3 plays one pivot behind two 8s; a 4-2-3-1 plays two holding midfielders behind a 10. Side-by-side table, diagram and how to tell them apart.
Formations and roles · Analysis
Wing-Back vs Full-Back: Same Flank, Different Job
A wing-back covers the whole flank in front of a back three; a full-back shares it with a winger in a back four. Table, diagram and formations.
Formations and roles · Analysis
False Nine vs Striker: One Drops Off the Centre-Backs, One Stays on Them
A false nine drops into midfield; a classic striker stays high on the centre-backs. A side-by-side table, a diagram, who scores and what each needs.
Formations and roles · Analysis
Libero vs Centre-Back: The Free Man and the Flat Line
A libero is a free defender behind man-markers; a centre-back defends a zone in a flat line. Side-by-side table, diagram, history and examples.
Formations and roles · Analysis
Single Pivot vs Double Pivot: One Holding Midfielder or Two
A single pivot is one holding midfielder in front of the defence; a double pivot is two side by side. A side-by-side table, the trade-offs and the formations.
Formations and roles · Analysis
Mezzala vs Trequartista: The Wide Eight and the Classic Ten
A mezzala is a wide number 8 who runs into the half-space; a trequartista is a number 10 in the hole. Side-by-side table, formations and examples.