Strikers

Because they are furthest forward in attack, striker has traditionally been considered a 'glamour' position. But in-between the chances at goal, a striker has to do an awful lot of moving, supporting, chasing, and, yes, defending.

Let's start with that. Strikers not only must defend, they must defend with purpose. A single striker in among two or three defenders playing the ball back and forth is probably not going to win the ball; but they can dictate which way the opposition plays, making life easier for everyone behind them. This is easy to do: simply shut down one of the options a defender has, and make it obvious to everyone you are doing it. Look at the situation below:

Player 1 in red, the right winger, can pressure the ball. But by running straight at the player, he gives him the option of playing right or left. This leaves the center striker, Player 2, guessing. But if Player 1 takes an angle, as indicated by the arrow, Yellow Player 2 can no longer play to Yellow Player 3. Red Player 2 should be able to anticipate this, and can either cut off the forward option to Player 5, or try to intercept the square ball to Player 1.

Keep in mind that this is often going to feel like work for no reward. A good, well-coached team will be able to bypass the striker, by simple virtue of having more players in that area of the pitch. But a striker who consistently shuts down options prevents the opposition from dictating play. Hard work in this area of the pitch will also inevitably lead to turnovers and chances at goal.

Strikers also must be willing to work very hard off the ball when we have possession. By virtue of being pressed high against the opposition's back line, and the opposition generally concentrating more players in this area, strikers are often outnumbered and are easily marked, especially if they are just standing and waiting for the ball to come to them. It is critically important that you do not 'hide' when your teammates are fighting and challenging for the ball. If you are standing behind a defender, we can't get the ball to your feet. Unless you are already completely unmarked, you should either be moving into a position to receive the ball at your feet, or looking to stretch the field and get in behind the back four (while staying onside).

While the two wingers and center striker have some different responsibilities, they should be looking to interchange and swap positions regularly. This serves two purposes: it makes you harder to mark, and it allows for flat runs in behind the back four. These runs are generally better than runs straight at goal. It is very difficult to connect a straight run with a straight ball, without either being offside, or the ball running all the way to the goalkeeper. See the image below:

It can work, but the timing, the run, and the ball have to be perfect, and the goalkeeper has to be caught unaware. Teams who try to make this run and play this ball over and over again become very predictable and easy to defend. You can victimize bad teams like this, but good ones will be largely untroubled.

Flat, crossing runs present a different proposition. The striker can build up full speed without straying offside. You also force defenders to make decisions about whether to run with you or pass you off to another defender. These runs and balls also keep the goalkeeper from intervening. See below:

The wide strikers - wingers - will generally attack more down the touchlines. Wingers have the freedom to dribble more than any other position, as long as it is dribbling with intent. You are trying to get around the outside of fullbacks and either run straight to goal (if no other defender steps up to challenge) or cross.

Mindset is important. Wingers cannot be timid. A winger who continually turns away from the 1v1 battle with a fullback is doing the opposition a favor. If you are faced up 1v1 with a defender who has no cover behind them, look to take them on. A winger who relentlessly runs at the fullback can help push the opposition deeper and deeper, giving us more space in which to play. You will not always be successful; a good defender will actually 'win' most of these battles. You still must commit to it. This is a low-risk area in which to lose the ball. Frequently, the best the defender will be able to do is play the ball out for a throw-in or corner. The times you do beat the defender will bring us chances and goals.

Wingers should also have the opportunity to combine with overlapping fullbacks. Also, when the ball is on the opposite side of the pitch, the weak-side winger should be looking to get on the end of a possible cross, but always from a wide position. In the event the cross is slightly over-hit, you should be there to contain it. If a cross ends up going all the across the face of goal and out of play for a throw-in on the other side, it is the fault of both wingers - the one who over-hit it, and the one who failed to contain it.

Finally, wingers - don't be offside. You only have to look in one direction to see where the defenders are. This is very easy. Do. Not. Be. Offside!

Finishing - scoring goals - is still how most strikers are judged, but we will not be successful if our strikers do not contribute in all these other ways. When chances come, good finishing is a result of composure, skill, and lots of practice. Right, now, Messi and Ronaldo are the most devastating finishers in the game, with the likes of Sergio Aguero, Luis Suarez, and Robin van Persie not far behind (Fernando Torres is very, very far behind. Sorry, Sean).