Expectations
Outside Fullback- Primarily defender, usually marking the outside or wing forward. When the opponent has the ball, defend your mark, keep her from receiving the ball, if she does have the ball, keep her to the outside by staying between her and the goal, prevent her from shooting or making a clear pass. If she beats you, and the sweeper picks her up, attacks her, circle back to the sweeper position staying between the opponent with the ball and the goal. On offense, push up toward the opponent’s goal, keeping the opposing forwards back toward their own goal, be ready to support the attack by keeping open for a pass back, if you receive the ball, don’t be afraid to make a run to the opponent’s goal, our halfback should cover you back, and be ready to pass to our open player.
Sweeper- Primarily defender, the last person between the goal and the keeper. The keeper’s best friend. Be ready to attack any opposing player who penetrates the defense, directs the defense and ensures all players push up when we have the ball, keeps herself ready to accept the ball if support is needed by any player and distribute the ball forward to start the attack. If the sweeper has the ball, and no opposing player attacks her, she can attack herself until stopped and a fullback will swing back to play sweeper.
Center Fullback (Stopper)- Primarily defender, position between the outside fullbacks, in front of the sweeper, usually marks the center forward on the opposing team. The center fullback must keep between the ball and the goal on defense, ensure no ball is shot through the defense, and quickly moves the ball forward either by kicking or dribbling. If the Stopper attacks, the sweeper covers for defense.
Center Halfback (Midfielder)- the center halfback is the quarterback of the offense, ensuring the attack goes forward to the weakest area of he defense, she should be the target for the fullbacks when they gain possession, she distributes the ball to he outside halfbacks or the forwards as the opportunity arises. She also attacks herself and should not be afraid to shoot from the outside. “Vision” is expected of this player, the ability to see the whole field, and direct the attack.
Outside Halfbacks (Midfielders)-requiring stamina, the outside halfbacks mark the opposing halfbacks, keeping them to the outside of the field and trying to gain the ball whenever possible. They have responsibility to attack also, either supporting the attacking forwards by positioning themselves behind the forward or by running to the inside or outside of the forward’s run, readying themselves to receive the ball. They should be on the far post if the forward attacks toward the corner. They must retreat quickly if the opposing team obtains the ball. The halfback should be the person to throw-in the ball if we are on the opponent’s side of the field. On a corner kick by the opposing team, the halfbacks should each be at one of our own posts. The halfbacks should never be standing!
Outside Forwards (Wingers)-primarily attacking players, the outside forwards should always remain wide, near the sideline, if we possess the ball, waiting for the opportunity to receive the ball. Once they have the ball, attack the goal or make a quick run to the outside ready to cross the ball to one of our players. The forwards must be aware of the position of our halfbacks, ready to play the ball back to support, and, once they have passed the ball, quickly run to space to be ready to receive the ball back. If a forward looses a ball to an opposing player, immediately attack the opposing player attempting to retrieve the ball, leaving the opposing player no respite.
Center Forward- the key attacking player who may either attack using her speed or receive the ball and hold the ball from defenders, ready to distribute the ball to an attacking winger or halfback or any other teammate who is clear for the ball. The center forward may mark the opposing sweeper if the opposing team has the habit of always passing back to the sweeper to start the attack. The center forward may attack the keeper who has possession to prevent an unhurried pass. The center forward attacks the goal when she does not have the ball to be able to either receive the ball and shoot or be ready to intercept a fumble by the keeper and score (collect the garbage).
Keeper- the most difficult position. The keeper is the last line of defense, she intercepts all shots, is ready to attack the opposing player who gets behind our defenders, requiring a fine sense of timing, when to attack or wait, anticipating our other defenders will intercept. The keeper must communicate her intentions to her teammates if she is going for a ball on the ground or in the air and teammates are near. The keeper can call for the ball in support when her defenders have the ball and need space. The keeper directs the formation of the wall on a direct kick (how many player and location). The keeper directs defenders to open opposing players. Usually the keeper is in 85 minutes of boredom and 5 minutes of shear terror.