Qualities of Forward Players
All MPS Premier Forwards should have:
- Effective starting positions;
- The ability to create space in front of them;
- Proper technique in all areas:
o Ball control;
o Dribbling at defenders;
o Heading;
o Shooting, etc.
- The ability to collect the ball in pressure situations;
- The ability to turn and run at players with the ball.
All forwards should be competent goal scorers. Be technically sound with an understanding of effective runs in the box/’danger area’, as well as being able to deal with all types of service, especially when under pressure.
- Forwards should be able to ‘sense’ pressure and know how to deal with this pressure with their first touch.
- Forwards should also have the ability to create scoring chances through deceptive play, e.g. fakes, decoy runs/movement off the ball, ‘dummy’s’, etc.
- All MPS Premier forwards must be able to finish under pressure.
Attacking Qualities for All Positions
- All MPS Premier Players should know how to use their bodies in order to gain an advantage.
- All Premier level players should be able to recognise, create and exploit numbers-up situations when attacking, e.g. 2v1, 3v2; especially with runs and passes that are into the space behind the last line of defenders and during the transition into attack.
- Premier level players should be able to break down an opponent in the final third with consistent and creative possession/combination play.
- Premier level attacking players should be competent at heading the ball in goal scoring situations with good technique.
- Premier level attacking players should possess the right ruthless mentality in their approach to goal scoring.
- Equally, they should also have the mental strength to deal with failure or ‘drought’ periods of scoring and remain focused and positive about their game.
