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NumberTen

NumberTen

SILVER ELITE
Using the standard number system for each position, I would like comments about your ideas or experiences with each. I guess that the numbers can vary based on the formation that is played. Not having any soccer experience prior to my son playing, I would appreciate the information and would imagine that it would be welcome to newbies like me.
 
NumberTen said:
Using the standard number system for each position, I would like comments about your ideas or experiences with each. I guess that the numbers can vary based on the formation that is played. Not having any soccer experience prior to my son playing, I would appreciate the information and would imagine that it would be welcome to newbies like me.
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Standard?
 
I've never heard of a youth coach requiring players to wear a certain number based on their position, or placing a kid in a specific position because of their number.
 
Real Deal said:
I've never heard of a youth coach requiring players to wear a certain number based on their position.
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They aren't required to wear certain numbers. In fact, the jersey numbers are all over the place (there was a 00 in goal, for example, in a game I reffed this weekend....that was awesome but my favorite was the 69). Traditionally, however, there have been numbers assigned to certain players (see mirage's wikipedia article) though that has fallen out of fashion (with the exceptions of the 1, 9, 10, 8 and a few others which are still regarded as prestige number). US soccer assigns certain numbers to the various positions in the game (see the article I posted above)...the kids aren't required to wear those numbers on the jerseys...but the coaches do use the numbers in the planning method that US soccer presents for the licensing exams. So when you talk about the "1" that's the goalkeeper (whichever kid it might be) or the "10" that's the attacking mid (whichever kid that might be). The jersey numbers alter based on the kids, but the position numbers within US soccer are set so if the ref and the coach are talking about the 1, everyone knows they are talking about the kid playing goalkeeper.
 
In the old days, players did wear numbers by positions and they still do on few teams out there. Not sure how or why it got to this point where players have numbers like 99 or 69. My guess would be that coaches stop caring or didn't know, and allow players to just pick number they want.
 
Eagle33 said:
In the old days, players did wear numbers by positions and they still do on few teams out there. Not sure how or why it got to this point where players have numbers like 99 or 69. My guess would be that coaches stop caring or didn't know, and allow players to just pick number they want.
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Probably because those non-caring coaches realized that soccer players can play more than one position and therefore the jersey numbers wouldn't match their position anyway.
 
Keep in mind that the numbering system was put in place when most good teams played a 2-3-5 formation. The strongest carryover I have seen in today's position play is that forwards often want to be #9 or #10 (or at least their parents do).
 
espola said:
Keep in mind that the numbering system was put in place when most good teams played a 2-3-5 formation. The strongest carryover I have seen in today's position play is that forwards often want to be #9 or #10 (or at least their parents do).
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A 2-3-5? Must be good defenders.
 
*GOBEARGO* said:
A 2-3-5? Must be good defenders.
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The three halfbacks were also defenders (according to my first coach), and referees didn't know how to call offside properly since they were all news to the game, so the coach had the fullbacks play deep all the time and the halfbacks come back as play dictated.
 
NumberTen said:
Using the standard number system for each position, I would like comments about your ideas or experiences with each. I guess that the numbers can vary based on the formation that is played. Not having any soccer experience prior to my son playing, I would appreciate the information and would imagine that it would be welcome to newbies like me.
Click to expand...

BTW...Is it possible this poster is referring to the actual # of the position, rather than a jersey #? Example: What are the responsibilities or where on the field does one play for the #6 in a 4-4-2.
 
No one seems to be answering the OP's question. :p We'll I'll take a shot at it, though my experience is either old, as a ref or at the littles. Using the US numbering system:

#1 Keeper: The training is very different. For example, learning how to goalkick properly or punt is an art in itself that requires some repetition. There are some skills that are dangerous if not done properly and can put keepers in harms way including diving (particularly high diving), tackling the one v one, and defending the high cross. A good approach to the #1 spot is either the coach has a few dedicated keepers with specialized training (which in and of itself is like learning a second sport) or the coach rotates the position but keeps the expectations in check (doesn't encourage the keepers to undertake the more dangerous moves). The keeper wears specialized equipment, including gloves, which is different from the others. Increasingly keepers need to be good with their feet too, particularly since the introduction of the back pass rule. It's a bit of a myth that the keeper doesn't need to be a fast runner...the keeper needs to be good on the short sprint and short sprinting is part of any good keeper training. Keepers need to be fearless given the amount of balls flying at their heads and the risk of injury.

#7/11 Wingers: They need to be fast...they'll be spending the game running up and down the field. Good ball handling. Knowing how to cross the ball with elevation and accuracy is an absolute must, as well as how to finish. Their moves are more turned based than the center players are.
 
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