Soccer - How would you describe the function of a holding midfielder.?
821727
"A defensive midfielder or a holding midfielder is a central midfielder who is stationed in front of the back defenders for defensive reasons, thus "holding back" the freedom of the opponents to attack. This specialist midfielder's responsibilities are to defend against or tackle the opposing team, to recover the ball for their own team, and to safely distribute it to more attacking-minded players.\n\nNot only does the player protect his team's defence, he also gives his fellow midfielders the freedom to parade their more attacking flair without the worry of defensive work. For this reason, the holding midfielder may be one of the most important positions in football, as it allows the rest of the team to play a more aggressive game.\n\nThe defensive midfielder position is also referred to in Spanish and Brazilian Portuguese as "volante" (Spanish & Portuguese for "Rudder" or someone who gives direction), and in Portugal as a "trinco" (meaning "lock"). Éric Cantona once referred to Didier Deschamps as "the water carrier"; this was originally intended as a derogatory term (Cantona was expressing his disdain for Deschamps, perceiving Deschamps as being technically limited). Most Brazilian teams deploy at least one "volante" in their team. This includes the Brazilian national team who have fielded some of the most famous defensive midfielders, such as 1994 World Cup winning team captain Dunga. The position is sometimes overlooked but is critical in the modern game. It is a highly specialized position, executed successfully by only a handful of players."
889417
Defensive End\nA player position on defense.
1017945
From what I have heard and read, people actually attempted to put a number on this. However, it is hard because it does not represent the truth for each position in the field. The average player's run was calculated to be about 10 miles or 16 Km. Well, the keeper doesn't do much running as we know. The back line, they move a little bit unless you are from Brazil where even the defenders attack, the midfielders run the most because they bring the ball from home half to the opponents half and many times all the way down to the goal and the forwards move maybe just a little more than the back line to make quick strikes against the opposing team. So again it depends to what position you are looking at.
538203
If the team have not used up all their substitutions in the game, and they have a goalkeeper on the bench normally an outfield player is sacrificed. The reserve goalkeeper is then brought on. Alternatively, if all the substitutions have taken place, then one of the outfield players can take over the mantle of being the goalkeeper. If he, the rest of the team or coach decide this was a bad move, then I beieve that another outfield player can change positions. This can happen a number of times until the game is over.
508144
Both.  I'd put a holding midfielder in behind them and unleash them.  They're too brilliant to restrict.  They are the answer to England's attacking concerns and are too competitive to neglect their defense.  Together, these two guys could prove to be the story of the World Cup...
810762
Running Back drops, then recovers, no turnover, for him, one fumble, no fumble lost (That's the bad one).\n\nRunning back (Or whatever) fumbles, defensive guy recovers, runs, fumbles, offensive play recovers, two fumbles, two fumbles lost.
681575
Practise on ball control role.That's the most important part for a soccer player anyway.
908200
Right and Left Midfield, Central Midfield especially no 8 who is the attacking midfielder, and the strikers.\n\nSo Nos 7, 8,9,10,11 and 6 at times
1126027
The goalie must leave the field\n\nIf the team has a substitution left, it can pull a player from the field and send in their backup goalie.\n\nIf they don't have any substitutions left, one of the players from the field will put on the goalie's jersey and play goalkeeper (very rare, but I've seen it happen)
439172
When the ball is played behind the defensive line whilst and offensive player is behind the defensive line.\n\nAs for prevention tactics it depends wether you're the offensive or defensive. Offensive you have to make sure that you know where the defensive line is at all times by being careful where the ball drops, make sure play is as fluid as possible if playing through balls. As for the defensive aspect, man marking is the key.\n\nComplicated i know.
1016934
a team is in possession if they are controlling the play of the ball, dribbling it, or passing it to another member of the team.\n\nwhen the other team intercepts a pass or tackles the ball away and takes control of the ball, then posession switches.\n\nyou just keep track of start/stop times for possession for each team and add them up.  note that you really only have to track one team, since the possession for the other team is the total elapsed time minus the possession for the other team. :)
1104863
There are six people on one side, plus a goalkeeper. They are arranged three people near the goal and three people closer to the halfway point (when on offense). Of course the goal keeper tends to stay in the goal!\n\nThere can be more people on a team, just depending at which level you are playing. But only seven in at a time, and you can sub when you need to.
661568
Ok... I don't really follow the U.S playing systems but i want to talk about the 4-4-2 and the 4-5-1 playing styles.\n\nFirstly playing 4-4-2 is a neutral way of playing, where\n4-5-1 is a little more defensive.\n\nIn order to play 4-5-1 that lone striker must be very good, and one of the 5 midfielders are in a supporting position for the lone striker.\n\n4-4-2 is the most popular formation, for many reasons:\n\n* Midfield covered by defence, attack covered by midfield, there is support all over the field, it is good for wingplay, defensive formation, attacking formation... the key is the 2 centre midfielders must run up and down depending on the coach. (more attack/ more defence/ neutral)\n\nFor the U.S. like somebody earlier said they are not technically strong but are physically strong so i guess all players are quick, 4-5-1 or 4-4-2 will be good DEPENDING ON THE TEAM THEY PLAY
382295
Depends on the positon:\n\nDefender:\nBalance,anticipation and positioning..Tackling concentration\n\nWing Back:\nSpeed,Stamina,Covering...\n\nSide Midfield:\nDribbling,Speed,Shot,and crossing\n\nDefensive midfeield:\nStamina,Long shots,Balance and covering\n\nAttacking midfield:\nPlay making,passing..shoot\n\nStriker:\nSpeed and positioning and finishing
373127
Someone with tactical knowledge. The most important thing in managing is to be able to control the egos and make the team play as a 'team' as opposed to be beckham, ronaldinho or henry's team.\nUnfortunately, the ones able to do such a thing out there these days are few, and I would name Scolari, Parreira and Mourinho, for example.\nBut for my national team, if I didnt have Parreira already, I'd pick Scolari.
309306
Well a few things, first and foremost is the skill OFF the ball. Needs to know where to go and when to get open for a pass or to divert defenders away.  He needs to have fast legs both in terms of quickness and flat out speed.  Accurate and crisp passes both on the ground and in the air that players can handle with ease, yet are in perfect areas that go right through defenders.  And a knack to score goals when you just cant.  Alot of top class players can just make a goal happen when there just is no opportunity and seconds to play.  Finally, mentality and stamina will help them go the full 90 minutes.
746281
It's all about wanting the ball! Don't think of it as a tackle or a slide tackle... Just think of it as something that belongs to you that you need back. You don't have to make it pretty! Just focus on the ball and take it! Don't be afraid of being dribbled and never give up on the ball!\nMy technique is... On each play I set a priority! If you would like him to go to your right make it clear that he's going to have a hard time coming in through the left! So the player goes right! Now he's where you want him to be... so you make your move. Sometimes you slide, but mostly you don't... when you do that's just how it came out! \nI use this technique successfully against other Brazilians!