Player Position Objectives

Click on a position below for specific traits and characteristics that a player should strive  to succeed at this position.

A goalkeeper at CASC must be a vocal leader with excellent communication, decision-making, and shot-stopping skills. They play a pivotal role in both defensive organization and building out of the back.

Key Characteristics:

  • Brave and composed under pressure
  • Technically proficient with hands and feet
  • Strong tactical understanding
  • Consistent communicator and organizer
  • Agile, explosive, and quick-reacting
  • High game IQ and reading of the game

Traits:

  • Directing teammates, leading defensive organization (clear communication)
  •  Anticipating and intercepting crosses and balls behind defensive line (starting position)
  • Stopping shots and dominating 1v1 situations (bravery)
  • Reading pressure and initiating build-up
  • Receiving and passing under pressure (short and long)

Physical:

  • Strength and power
  • Agility and quick reactions to control the area and protect the goal
    (air and ground)

Ball Possession (BP):

  • Provide width and depth in wide channels
  • Support possession: forward (striker/midfielder) or backward (CB/GK)
  • Join attacks with overlapping or underlapping runs
  • Decision-making to retain possession or progress attack

When Opponent has Ball Possession (BPO):

  • Strong in 1v1s, close down space quickly
  • Maintain line shape (zonal defending)
  • Provide cover by tucking inside
  • Good anticipation and tackling techniqueHigh speed and recovery ability

Traits:

  • Continuously adjusting body shape and position to provide support and cover (height and width)
  • Dominating 1v1 duels to create or regain the ball
  • Receiving, dribbling and making quick combinations to create chances (crossing and shooting)
  • Making overlap and underlap runs to create advantage

Physical:

  • Speed, quickness, agility
  • Endurance

Ball Possession (BP):

  • Maintain central shape in buildup
  • Distribute wide or into midfield; stretch opposition
  • Long-ball accuracy (diagonals, aerials to 9)
  • Ability to step into midfield if needed

When Opponent has Ball Possession (BPO):

  • Commanding in aerial duels
  • Tight marking in 1v1s (esp. vs 9 or 10)
  • Excellent positioning and recovery
  • Vocal leadership in defensive organization
  • Able to defend 1v1 with minimal cover

Traits:

  • Leading defensive organization
  • Dominating 1v1 situations (heading, tackling and intercepting)
  • Zonal marking, anticipation and preventive actions (shifting, stepping, dropping, and covering movements)
  • Reading and breaking pressure (calm and decisive)
  • Range of passing (through, over and around defensive block)

Physical:

  • Strength and power in duels (jumping)
  • Speed and agility

Ball Possession (BP):

  • First option from CBs and GK
  • Keep play flowing; switch and break lines
  • Distribute via short and long passes
  • Create options with smart positioning and movement

When Opponent has Ball Possession (BPO):

  • Disrupt central play; screen CBs
  • Intercept, win second balls
  • Tactical fouls if needed
  • Good 1v1 defending in tight spaces
  • Pressure the ball or delay depending on team strategy

Traits:

  • Dominating positionally and individually, controlling and protecting central area
  • Positioning between lines (spatial awareness and body orientation) and quick decision making (360° scanning)
  • Technically advanced—receiving and turning in tight spaces, passing range including final pass
  • Recognizing when to play forward, switch play and keep possession (ball security)
  • Breaking down compact defenses and finishing the attack (insight and creativity)
  • Providing offensive/defensive balance

Physical:

  • Agility, endurance, quickness
  • Use of body to protect ball

Ball Possession (BP):

  • Operate between opposition lines
  • Link midfield and forward lines
  • Play decisive final balls
  • Ability to shoot from distance and arrive in box

Ball Possession Opponent (BPO):

  • Press high when out of possession
  • Cut off passing lanes into midfield
  • Recover into central areas when pressing line broken

Traits:

  • High level of game intelligence and anticipation
  • Quick and clean execution (dribbling, passing, shooting)
  • Excellent awareness of space and time
  • Decision making under pressure
  • Creativity to unlock defenses and finish chances

Physical:

  • Agility
  • Balance
  • Quick feet,
  • Ability to change direction rapidly

Traits:

  • Dominating 1v1, dribbling and running with the ball to take-on opponent, creating chances and scoring
  • Shooting and crossing (early, cut-back, etc.) off the dribble, coming inside or wide
  • Making aggressive runs with and without the ball
  • Reading and initiating pressing moments, closing space with speed and intensity
  • Denying penetrations and assisting fullback in wide areas

Physical:

  • Speed
  • Change of direction
  • Body feints
  • Ability to make repeated accelerations

Traits:

  • Creating chances and scoring goals (foot or head)
  • Receiving and holding the ball under pressure
  • Making varied runs (movements and timing) to get behind opposition back line and create space for self and teammates
  • Anticipating and moving into dangerous positions, untracking from opponent
  • Receiving and passing under pressure (short and long)
  • Showing advanced levels of focus, determination and control

Physical:

  • Strength to hold off opponent
  • Explosiveness to separate from opponent

Goalkeepers:
Specific Technical and Tactical Objectives by Age Group

U11 (8–10 Years)

Technical Goals

  • Basic ball control (hands and feet)
  • Introduction to diving and catching (underhand and overhand)
  • Fun-focused repetition-based drills (1v1, goalkeeper tennis, 3v1/4v1 games)
  • Safe falling techniques

Tactical Goals

  • Introduction to positioning and basic angles
  • Involvement in build-up play
  • Understanding rules and responsibilities
  • Basic communication (“Keeper!”, “Away!”)

U13 (10–12 Years)

Technical Goals

  • Refined catching (low, mid, high, body)
  • Introduction to footwork patterns
  • Throwing (roll, overhead) and kicking (drop-kick, volley, goal kicks)
  • Two-sided development (kicking, throwing, diving both sides)

Tactical Goals

  • Positioning based on ball location (direct and indirect threat)
  • Coaching basic commands
  • Handling back-passes
  • 1v1 duels and game awareness development

U15 (12–14 Years)

Technical Goals

  • Advanced handling with resistance
  • Cross management (timing and movement)
  • Aerial dives, tips, and punches
  • Full range of distribution methods
  • Speed and coordination of movement

Tactical Goals

  • Zonal positioning for all phases
  • Deeper coaching responsibilities (defensive line)
  • Decision-making on crosses and free kicks
  • Using angles to make the goal small

U17 (14–16 Years)

Technical Goals

  • Mastery of technical actions in realistic game scenarios
  • Handling under pressure with opponents
  • Complex saves (tipping, parries, advanced aerials)
  • Distribution under duress

Tactical Goals

  • Leadership in defensive structure
  • Playing as a sweeper-keeper when needed
  • Situational adaptation (weather, tempo, game phase)
  • Managing penalty situations and set plays