You Are the Striker

You are the striker. You score the goals. You are the most dangerous player on the field. Every time you touch the ball near the goal, anything can happen.

The Tip of the Spear

Your team plays the 1-2-3 formation. One sweeper. Two defenders. Three attackers. You are one of those three attackers. You play on the front line, the closest field player to the opposing goal. You are the tip of the spear.

The three attackers spread across the field. One attacker plays the left wing. One attacker plays the right wing. One attacker plays the center. You might play any of those three positions. Each position has a slightly different flavor, but the job is always the same. Find the ball. Find the goal. Score.

The Goal Scorer

The team looks to you when the team needs a goal. Your sweeper collects the ball in the back and sends the ball forward. That ball is looking for you. Your defenders push up and support the attack. The whole team builds toward one moment. That moment is your shot on goal.

You live for that moment. The ball arrives at your feet near the goal. The goalkeeper sets. The defenders close in. You pick your spot and strike the ball. The net ripples. Your teammates run toward you. That feeling never gets old.

Three Positions, One Job

The left wing hugs the left sideline and stretches the defense wide. The right wing does the same on the right side. The center striker plays between the two wing players and looks for chances in the middle of the field.

You might start a game on the left wing and switch to center at halftime. A great striker can play any of the three attacking positions. Learning all three makes you a more complete player.

The wing positions give you space to run with the ball along the sideline. The center position puts you closer to the goal. Wings cross the ball into the middle. The center striker finishes the cross. All three attackers work together to break down the defense.

What Makes a Striker

Speed helps, but timing matters more than speed. Knowing where to stand matters more than how fast you run.

A great striker reads the game. A great striker watches the defenders and finds the gaps. A great striker knows when to make a run and when to hold still. A great striker knows when to shoot and when to pass.

Bravery matters. A striker goes into tough challenges near the goal. A striker shoots even when a defender is closing in. A striker never hides from the ball in a big moment.

Your Teammates Need You

Your sweeper and your defenders work hard to win the ball. Your sweeper sends long passes up the field looking for you. Your job is to reward all that hard work by turning those passes into goals.

When you score, the whole team celebrates. When you create a chance for another attacker, the whole team benefits. You are the player the crowd watches. You are the player the other team fears.

Pride in Your Position

The striker is the position every kid wants to play. You get to play the striker position because your coach believes in you. Your coach sees your finishing ability. Your coach sees your desire to score.

Own the position. Love the position. The striker lives for the thrill of beating the goalkeeper and the roar of teammates rushing in to celebrate.

You are the striker. The goal is yours to take.