Striker Resources

Roles

The Striker has a variety of key roles to play to help his teammates. Here are the 7 key roles along with video examples:

Role 1: Transition Target Man

- hold ball up and make combinations

See Example by Zlatan Ibrahimovic:

and "holding and layoff"  example by Dennis Bergkamp:

- or turn and beat defender and shoot

see turn/shoot example by Dennis Bergkamp:

Role 2: Crossing Target Man

- near post or far post runs

- fade backs to receive cross back

Example: See Robin Van Persie.

Example: See Edin Dzeko.

Role 3: Runs Behind Defenders

- on shoulder of defender, or in space between defenders

Example: See Chicharito (some runs behind, also some great runs into space for crosses)

Example: Luis Suarez.

And more examples:

Role 4: Create Space for Team mates

- open up centre by pulling centre back away

- pull two defenders to you

Example: see Jermain Defoe open space for Gareth Bale:

Role 5: Poacher

- get rebounds

- wins balls played into box

Example: See Obafemi Martens score for the Seattle Sounders.

Role 6: Beat Defender 1 on 1

- move and shoot quickly

Example: See Michael Owen.

Example: See Lionel Messi.

Role 7: First line of Defence

- force turnovers by defenders 

Example: See the Whitecaps' Kenny Miller

Skill Development

Here are some great technical videos that are useful for strikers:

IMG Academy posted this 5 part series:

Striker Moves

Here is the Signature Move of Fernando Torres:

Jason Roberts Attacking Masterclass on 1v1 with Goalkeeper.

Jermain Defoe's Six Step Guide to Striking