Fireballs Soccer

Fireballs' Soccer

This season we will again be playing 8v8 soccer. This will be a big step up from the 4v4 we played as Under 8. Positions will become more important as we move from a 90' by 150' field to a field that is 150' by 240', more than twice as big as last season. With the recent change by ASSA, we will play 8v8 from Under 9 to Under 12. When we get to Under 13 we will change to 11v11 games.

Team pictures from Fall 2002, Spring 2003, Fall 2003 & Spring 2004.

While there are many different alignments that can be used in 8v8, we will be playing with 2 Backs, 3 Midfielders and 2 Forwards, plus a Keeper. Other coaches may call the positions by other names, but these names are more descriptive of their actual locations on the field of play and easier for me to remember. There are no unimportant positions on the field. All positions have a job to do. All positions require lots of running! To do our best, it takes teamwork, with everyone doing their best in the position they are assigned.

In any particular game, a player will usually only be asked to play two different positions, maybe a Forward the first half and a Back the second half. However, those positions could change from game to game. At this age they need a chance to play all the positions several time to see which one they like the most, and which the least.

Soccer is a game of keep-away and waiting, until a players has a chance to score a goal on the other team. As long as our team has the ball, the other team can't score. The team that hustles the most, usually does the best.

Forwards play in front of the rest of the team. Forwards lead the attack on the opponent's goal. Forwards are the ones who score many of the goals.

Midfielders play between the Forwards and Backs. Midfielders control the game. They also score some of the goals.

Backs play behind the Forwards and Midfielders. While often thought of as primarily defensive players, they can and should contribute to the teams' offense.

The Keeper is the last line of defense against attacks by the other team. However, remember that before the ball can get to the keeper, it has to get past the other members on the team.

When we have the ball, everyone is an offensive player. When our opponent has the ball, everyone is a defensive player.

Below is a layout of the field showing where different players are in relation to their team mates. To see the area each position is responsible for covering, click on the position name.

Some general comments about positions. When you look at the area of any of the positions, notice that none of the areas are bordered with a solid line, other than a goal line or touch line. If the player needs to go a step or two (or more) beyond the indicated area to get the job done, then go she should. All of the areas overlap with one or more other positions. However, team mates should not be close to each other when we have the ball. Midfielders should stay several giant steps back from the Forwards. Backs should stay several giant steps back from Midfielders. The actual position of the player within her area depends on where the ball is located.

Click here for more information on the field markings.

Last updated: 05/04/04 - GLowAR@aol.com