Player Model (Miguel Leal & Rui Quinta) (Patreon)

Players, depending on their position on the field, have certain tactical functions or missions that are fundamental and consist of a set of attitudes and specific tactical-technical behaviors. Additionally, the player's number is often associated with a particular function.

Most representative characteristics of the Player Model:

Goalkeeper (No. 1)

Tactical/Technical Aspects 

With the ball: Initiates the attack. Masters footwork techniques. Moves up the field with the team. Without the ball: Directs the defense. Controls the surrounding space. Masters defensive techniques, including positioning and diving. Acts as a sweeper. Has anticipatory and analytical skills. 

Psychological Aspects 

Focused, communicative, decisive, courageous, and emotionally stable.

Physical Aspects

Has a tall stature. Is quick to react and execute. Is agile. Is flexible. Has a good jumping ability. Shows lateral dominance.

Defensive Line: Defenders, without the ball, should always position themselves between the goal and the opponent, press the ball carrier, master defensive techniques, principles, and individual behaviors, and give no time or space to the opponent. Collectively, the defense should behave uniformly and stay oriented. With the ball, defenders should master off-the-ball movements and offensive principles. As the ball moves away from their goal, they should follow this movement. 

Full Backs (No. 2 and No. 5 - "The Destabilizers")

Tactical/Technical Aspects 

With the ball: Provides offensive coverage. Participates in offensive actions on their side. Adjusts the play area as the ball moves closer or farther from their corridor. Masters passing and crossing techniques. Good dribbling skills and fast with the ball. Masters throw-ins. Initiates counter-attacks. Without the ball: Provides defensive coverage. Maintains the Defensive Line. Positions at the edge of the side corridor and maintains an oblique Defensive Line when the ball is on the opposite side. Supports the Central Defenders. Marks direct opponents. Masters tackling techniques. Shows anticipatory ability. 

Psychological Aspects 

Focused, courageous, determined, and demonstrates a spirit of sacrifice. 

Physical Aspects 

Executes quickly, is flexible, shows good strength levels, and is durable yet fast.

Central Defenders (No. 3 and No. 4 - "The Markers and Coordinators")

Tactical/Technical Aspects 

With the ball: Provides offensive coverage. Maintains balance. Adjusts the play area based on the ball's location. Masters passing techniques. Participates in set-pieces. Facilitates ball circulation between side corridors. Excellent in aerial play. Without the ball: Provides defensive coverage. Maintains the Defensive Line. Shifts to the side corridor where the ball is. Masters tackling techniques. Adds depth to the game. Anticipates well. Supports the Side Backs. Marks direct opponents. Commands offside traps. Strong in duels. Reads the game well. 

Psychological Aspects 

Focused, courageous, aggressive, decisive, demonstrates a spirit of sacrifice, and shows leadership qualities. 

Physical Aspects: 

Agile, flexible, ambidextrous, shows good fast strength, tall, and has good collision capabilities.

Midfield Line: Midfielders should prevent opponents from having time and space to develop offensive actions, press the ball carrier, and master defensive techniques, principles, and individual behaviors. Collectively, they should maintain a balance, occupy the corridors, and accompany the ball's movement away from or towards their goal in relation to other lines. When the team has the ball, midfielders should identify the ball's position and make off-the-ball movements, master offensive techniques, attack principles, and individual offensive behaviors.

Wing Midfielders (No. 7 and No. 11 - "The Dribblers and Crossers")

Tactical/Technical Aspects 

With the ball: Participates in offensive actions on their side. Adds width and depth to the game. Promotes balance. Masters passing, crossing, and shooting techniques. Good dribbling skills and quick with the ball. Without the ball: Prevents progression on the side. Provides defensive coverage to the back when necessary. Positions at the edge of the side corridor and maintains an oblique Midfield Line when the ball is on the opposite side. 

Psychological Aspects 

Focused, audacious, aggressive, creative, and demonstrates a spirit of sacrifice. 

Physical Aspects 

Quick in execution, agile, flexible, fast yet durable, and shows good fast strength levels.

Central Midfielders (No. 6 and No. 8 - "The Balancers and Organizers") 

Tactical/Technical Aspects 

With the ball: Provides offensive coverage. Masters passing and shooting techniques. Facilitates ball circulation between side corridors. Varies the game's pace. Requests off-the-ball movements to side corridors, through diagonals. If there is space, progresses with the ball. Masters aerial play. Maintains balance. Assumes organizational functions. Reads the game well. Without the ball: Provides defensive coverage. Maintains the oriented Midfield Line. Oscillates to the inner edge of the side corridor where the ball is. Supports the Central Defenders when there is a possibility of an opposing team's cross. Marks direct opponents. 

Psychological Aspects 

Decisive and audacious, aggressive, demonstrates a spirit of sacrifice, shows good communication skills, and analyzes well. 

Physical Aspects 

Tall, good collision capabilities, agile, flexible, ambidextrous, strong, and durable yet fast.

Forward Line: Forwards should master offensive techniques, individual offensive behaviors, and attack principles, showing great flexibility in off-the-ball movements. When the ball is in the central or side corridors, the forwards take on the role of offensive references for finishing, trying to provide depth and space. Defensively, they are the first to condition the opponent's attack.

Forwards (No. 9 and No. 10 - "The Finishers and Creators") 

Tactical/Technical Aspects 

With the ball: Shows great mobility. Adds width and depth to the game. Exploits off-the-ball movements, diagonally, to the side corridors. Masters different types of off-the-ball movements. Finishes with purpose. Masters different finishing techniques. Masters aerial play. Targets the 1st or 2nd post. Connects defense and attack. Strong in 1-on-1 situations. Without the ball: Contains the opponent's attack. Leads the opponent to the side corridor. Maintains the oriented Forward Line. Participates in Set Pieces (against). Shows anticipatory ability. 

Psychological Aspects 

Focused, aggressive, demonstrates excellent decision-making abilities, creative, reveals a spirit of sacrifice, shows calmness and serenity, and has emotional stability. 

Physical Aspects 

Quick to react and execute, agile, flexible, shows good fast strength levels, ambidextrous (shoots with both feet).

Once a player assimilates the tactical-technical functions or behaviors of a certain position, there is the possibility of assuming other functions. Initially, functions in adjacent positions and later, in more distant positions, thus fostering versatility (positional and functional). 

Concurrently, certain inherent and indispensable characteristics for success in football are not forgotten: 

• The player must show the possibility of developing a strong character with values such as respect, humility, commitment, dedication, spirit of sacrifice, and group spirit, and the ability to react to adversity; 
• The athlete must train and play with total seriousness, commitment, and concentration in a constant and permanent effort to overcome all demands. 
• The player must respect the individual and collective rules established for the group, respect the directors, coaches, and team members, as well as other agents and institutions related to the sport. The player must have the capacity for critical and self-critical reflection, intervening appropriately with the relevant entities, such as coaches, directors, referees, and other agents, in a highly educated manner.