Attacking Midfielder
The advanced central playmaker who is the creative heartbeat of the team, playing a free role in the opponent’s middle third and creating scoring chances by connecting the midfield with the attack. The “CAM” needs to have great vision, passing, and creativity, and often plays with his/her back to the goal.

Defensive Midfielder
A midfield player whose focus is on protecting their team’s defense, or man marking specific opposition attackers. They are usually the deepest lying midfielder.

Destroyer
A type of midfielder whose goal is to create mayhem and turnovers in the midfield while eliminating rhythm for the other teams attack. Most, but not all destroyers are also defensive midfielders.

Diagonal Ball and Diagonal Run
A long-ball that changes the point of attack or switches the field of play, usually after an overload. Diagonals tend to be hit by deep-lying midfielders or defenders with an attacking player or an overlapping fullback as the intended target. Diagonal runs can also be made by off-the-ball players. These runs run behind or in front of defending players, oftentimes dragging a defender and creating space behind the run.

Exploiting Space (or Taking Space)
Taking advantage of created space by making runs, dribbling, or passing the ball into that area.

Final Third
The forty yards of a full-sized field of play in front of the goal at which the offense is trying to score.

Holding Mid
Position designation for a midfielder whose primary responsibility is to maintain possession of the ball as an attack is developed. Often conflated with d-mids, destroyers or box-to-box midfielders.

Keeping Shape
The right players in the right place at the right time within a formation or system of play; can refer to attacking or defending.

“Movement off the ball”
Players off the ball must move to passing lanes, try to get open, attempt to find a clear line of sight between the player with the ball and themselves. Movement off the ball can also attempt to move the opponent in order to create space for teammates.

Poacher
Forward who operates primarily in the final third and has little to do with possession or build-up play. Also referred to as the No. 9 and center forward.

Possession
Keep the ball by playing into space, away from the defending team. This is best done by having players spread out to use the entire field.

“Play simple”
With the objective being to maintain possession, we must discourage belligerent play that may lose the ball in the 1/3 and 2/3 of the field.

“Play to Space”
Playing away from pressure, away from the opponent. The objective is to maintain possession at all costs.

Regista
Also known as a deep-lying playmaker. A holding midfielder who specializes in ball skills such as passing, rather than defensive skills like tackling.

Route 1
An attack straight up the center of the field, directly to the goal, via a long-ball.

Slip Pass
A pass that puts an attacker behind the defense and puts them one-on-one with the goalkeeper. Usually executed in the final third when an attacking midfielder slips a forward through.

Target Forward
A type of center forward whose function is divided between scoring goals and hold-up play, oftentimes playing back to goal. This is in contrast to the poacher, whose focus is almost solely upon scoring. Also referred to as the No. 9.

Team Shape
Ability of players to maintain the team’s formation during play, especially on defense. A team will attempt to cover certain areas of the field based on where the ball is located. When they are able to cover these area’s a team is keeping their shape or is in balance.

Tiki Taka
A style of play associated with Barcelona and the Spanish national team involving short passes and ball possession. There are a number of different spellings, e.g., tiqui-taca. An extremely complex system that emphasizes both individual technique and tactical awareness.