THE CELTIC WAY POSITIONAL ROLES
U9-U10 System (7v7)
U11-U12 System (9v9)
U13 & Above System (11v11)
Goalkeeper #1 Role of the #1: Without the Ball A. Support the ball from behind B. Be a leader from the back C. Communicate to players to put them in places to be successful Role of the #1: With the Ball A. Switch play B. Circulate possession C. Play long penetrating (diagonal) passes D. Dictate pace of play in their distribution
Right Outside Back #2 Role of the #2: Without the Ball A. Support wide B. Penetrating runs in right flank and right channel Role of the #2: With the Ball A. Circulate possession B. Penetrate through passes between the lines C. Beat opponents 1v1 in attacking half D. Combination play in attacking half E. Deliver good crosses into the box
Left Outside Back #3 Role of the #3: Without the Ball A. Support wide B. Penetrating runs in left flank and left channel Role of the #2: With the Ball A. Circulate possession B. Penetrate through passes between the lines C. Beat opponents 1v1 in attacking half D. Combination play in attacking half E. Deliver good crosses into the box
Right Center Back #4 Role of the #4: Without the Ball A. Support Deep in central and right channels B. Communicate to players in front and put them in positions to be successful C. Willing to win balls in the air both in attack or defense Role of the #4: With the Ball A. Switch point of attack B. Circulate possession C. Play penetrating passes into the attacking lines.
Left Center Back #5 Role of the #5: Without the Ball A. Support Deep in central and left channels B. Communicate to players in front and put them in positions to be successful C. Willing to win balls in the air both in attack and defense Role of the #5: With the Ball A. Switch point of attack B. Circulate possession C. Play penetrating passes into the attacking lines.
Defensive Center Midfielder #6 Role of the #6: Without the Ball A. Support behind the line of the ball (unless CB s or GK have possession, then on angles ahead of them) B. Screen the CB s so opposition cannot play directly into their CF Role of the #6: With the Ball A. Circulate possession (dictate rhythm) B. Switch play and dictate rhythm C. Play penetrating passes into attacking lines D. Win balls and keep possession
Right Winger #7 Role of the #7: Without the Ball A. Support Deep and wide Right Flank & Right Channel B. Penetrating runs in Right Flank, Right Channel, and Centrally Role of the #7: With the Ball A. Penetrate through 1v1s, combination play, passes B. Deliver crosses from Right Flank and Right Channel C. Circulate possession D. Dribble centrally to unbalance opposition back four
Center Midfielder #8 Role of the #8: Without the Ball A. Support offset of 6, 10, & 9 (never square or in vertical lines) B. Get between lines C. Screen the CB s so opposition cannot play directly into their CF Role of the #8: With the Ball A. Circulate possession B. Penetrate through passes & combination play C. Switch play
Center Forward #9 Role of the #9: Without the Ball A. Create Depth B. Find passing lanes for forward passes C. Make penetrating runs D. Make checking runs to play in combination with 7,10, and 11 Role of the #9: With the Ball A. Penetrate through combination play B. Excellent in beating players 1v1 C. Circulate possession D. Score goals
Attacking Center Midfielder #10 Role of the #10: Without the Ball A. Support offset of 6, 8, & 9 (never square or in vertical lines) B. Use Mobility to get between lines C. Create space for self behind the opposition back four Role of the #10: With the Ball A. Penetrate via combination play, passes, & 1v1s B. Circulate possession C. Finish opportunities when given
Left Winger #11 Role of the #11: Without the Ball A. Support Deep and wide left flank & left channel B. Penetrating runs in left flank, left channel, and centrally Role of the #7: With the Ball A. Penetrate through 1v1s, combination play, passes B. Deliver crosses from left flank and left channel C. Circulate possession D. Dribble centrally to unbalance opposition back four