Shaded area: typical operating zone · Arrow: example movement
Indicative diagrams, not fixed positions or tracking data.
Role details & scouting notes
Understanding the role
Receives between the lines or with their back to goal, links attacks and brings teammates into play. Compared with a false nine, the emphasis may be more on linking play than drawing centre-backs out of position.
Player examples
Francesco Totti · Wayne Rooney
Player examples illustrate aspects of each role, not a fixed label for their entire career.
What to watch
These roles overlap. Look at the purpose of dropping deep and who provides depth ahead of the ball.