A utility
player or what some may prefer to call a ‘total player,’ is a footballer who
has developed most of the fundamental skills required for the sport and can
easily fit into different positions in the field of play as the coach instructs
him.
Team
managers and coaches sort to have more of this kind of players in their team.
This is because modern football requires lots of flexibility and coaches are
always switching tactical approaches as each game progress. Therefore, a player
may become highly ineffective in the team if he could only play in one
particular position or if he is found lacking in some of the fundamental skills
I will discuss later on.
I have heard
players complain that a coach is playing them out of their best position and
that’s the reason they aren’t doing so well. If this hasn’t gotten to you as a
footballer, then it’s on the way. Believe me; a coach would someday decide to
play you out of your regular position.
There’s
nothing wrong with a player specializing in one position and be really good at
it, but he’ll be shortchanging himself if he cannot fit into other positions
and be good at them as well.
Someday, you’ll
probably find someone who is better than you in that position come into the
team. That means you will be relegated to warm the bench or become surplus in
the team and out of the coach’s plan.
Coaches find
it rather difficult to totally relegate a utility player out of the team. He
would probably find reason to call up such player to fill in a gap (block a
loophole or strengthen the weak side). This is the reason you should start
working at becoming a utility player early in your career.
WHAT MAKES
YOU A UTILITY PLAYER
1.
Playing With Both Feet: A player who can handle the ball well with both feet will
always have advantage over the one that uses just left or right foot.
As a young player you should start to learn how to shoot accurately with
both feet as well as hold the ball and pass it from one leg to another as you
make your moves.
2.
Defending Skills: A utility player is one who can win balls 1v1 on ground challenge or
aerial battle with an opponent.
A player who shows an intense and focused commitment to defend until
possession of the ball is regained from the opponent.
3.
Attacking Skills: A utility player is one who has
the ability to beat a defender 1v1 situation. The player who has the ability to
hold the ball under pressure and make visionary/ accurate passes to fellow team
player on the move.
A utility player is one who has knack for scoring goals. Who can shoot
accurately at goal and easily displace a goal keeper.
4.
Work Rate: Perhaps, this is one skill that catches the coaches’
attention the most. Coaches usually prefer players who can return back in good
speed. Who can run thro and fro with exceptional combative spirit to win or
intercept the ball from opponent.
A utility player should be able to sustain such work rate (stamina) throughout
the duration of a match.
5.
Goal Keeping:
You may say this isn’t part of it, but sometimes in a game, a player may be
required to take the place of the goal keeper.
A utility player should also learn the rudiments of goal keeping and be
good at it also.
