First eleven is a term used to describe the eleven players who are generally chosen to start a game by a team’s manager. Basically, these players compose the leading team in a football club. A player who is part of this line-up is considered the most skillful in his or her assigned position.
Football clubs come with squads or teams that are composed of 25 members. Eleven of these 25 members are chosen to make up the starting line-up which would represent the club and play its matches. There are also clubs that come with fewer number of members, but these numbers usually are greater than 11.
First Eleven Facts
The first eleven consists of the first players who will actively participate in a football match. The eleven players include the goalkeeper, while all other positions are considered optional since a team can make variations on player positions depending on the kind of formation employed.Though positions are optional when it comes to choosing the first eleven, the formation holds the key in determining the composition of the starting line-up. This formation are usually described using the numbers of attackers, midfielders and defenders being used. It can be that the first eleven would involve four defenders, four midfielders and two attackers or strikers if the formation to be used is the 4-4-2.
There are also formations that would numerically require four numbers like the 4-2-3-1. These four numbers are used to specifically differentiate the attacking and defensive midfielders. To start with a 4-2-3-1 formation, a team will need four defenders, two defensive midfielders and three attacking midfielders as well as one striker.
As a summary, a team’s coach or manager needs to decide on the type of formation he or she wants to be played before determining his or her first eleven.
Skills of First Eleven Players
There are many skills that a football player must possess especially if this player wants to be among the first eleven. Top three of these skills are the scissor kick, Cruyff turn and the Maradona turn. Players must be a master of these top skills as well as others in order to be considered for the starting line-up.The Maradona turn involves a swivel and a fast-paced change of direction while dancing around the ball. This move usually causes opponents to lose sight of where the player with the ball will go.
The Cruyff turn on the hand involves feigning a pass before dragging a ball behind the leg while facing the home goal while immediately taking a 180-degree turn and running fast towards the opponent’s goal. This move was invented by the Dutch player, Johan Cruyff.
Last but definitely not the least is the scissor or bicycle kick. This kick is done airborne, which causes the ball to rearward while still flying midair.