Teaching Football Skills Understanding the Game Goalkeeper 1. Protects the goal. 2. Uses two hands. 3. Stays close to the goal. 4. Quickly throws or punts ball to wings. Sweeper 1. Last line of defense. 2. Backs up other defenders. 3. Plays the ball quickly up field. Stopper 1. Key central defender. 2. Marks the opposing center forward. 3. Moves up to the halfway line when teammates possess the ball. Defenders (Right Back/Left Back) 1. Marks opposing forwards. 2. Stops the opponents from shooting. 3. Chases and tackles. 4. Passes the ball up to attackers. 5. Follows the play up to the halfway line. Midfielders 1. Links between defense and attack. 2. Helps attack and defend. Players must have plenty of stamina to play this position. 3. Gets open to receive passes from the defenders. 4. Looks to make passes to their forwards, then runs up to support them. 5. Midfielders can score goals too. Wings 1. Stays wide. 2. Gets open for passes. 3. Takes the ball down the wing and crosses it. Passes the ball into the penalty area for teammates to receive and score, or takes it to the goal and shoots. 4. Chases back to about the halfway line. Center Forward/Striker 1. Goes for goal 2. Scores! 3. Stays up in opponent’s half of field. 116 Special Olympics Football Coaching Guide Created: February 2004