New Samoa Rules Football Positions:
Forwards (Red):
- Forward Pocket (FP) (2): The forward pocket is designed as either a role for a second full forward (also known as a third key forward) or for players who are smaller but faster and more agile and capable of kicking brilliantly on the run (this is the more traditional forward pocket). Many forward pockets, like rovers, are quick thinking and opportunistic crumbing players. This means that they need to be short enough to pick up after it hits the ground from a contest, think and move quickly to evade potential tackles, and kick or set up a goal. Like Back Pockets, some Forward Pockets are like medium sized Full Forwards- tall and strong enough to contest marks, and mobile enough to crumb the ball. Some players in this mould, such as Russell Robertson, are capable of playing Full Forward outright. Crumbing Forward Pockets don't exclusively crumb the ball. Sometimes, they lead for the ball like Full Forwards, so they have to be competent at marking the ball. Some Forward Pockets can even jump so high that they can contest marks, despite their lack of height.
- Full-Forward (FF): Full Forwards are good at one-on-one contests with the opposition and are the main target in the forward line when attacking. This means they can produce mass amounts of goals in a season or match. Contests in the in-goal area require the strength and weight to be able to jostle or wrestle opponents to front position and keep fullbacks at bay and not as much running is required as midfielders. As a result, full-forwards are typically both tall and powerfully built. As well as contesting marks with their strength, Full Forwards will try to run into space to shake off their defender and take an uncontested mark (this is known as 'leading', 'leading for the ball' or 'leading into space'). This means that the Full Forward needs to be fast, but only in short bursts. In modern times, some teams have experimented by playing a smaller, faster player (possibly a former forward pocket or flanker) at Full Forward, in order to beat the defender with speed rather than strength. In the case of Mark Williams (Hawthorn) and Brad Johnson (Western Bulldogs), this has been extremely successful.
- Center Half-Forward (CF): The Center half-forward's role is usually the most demanding of any player on field, with a tall frame, good marking skills, strength and most importantly, athleticism, required.
- Half-Forward Flank (HF) (2): Standing wide of the Center Half-forward, the Half-Forward flankers provide an alternate target for balls coming from the midfield. Half-Forward flankers usually move the ball into the forward line along the flanks. They might kick the ball into the forward line, pass the ball to another running player, or have a shot at goal themselves. Nowadays, Half-Forward flankers usually push into the midfield, and rather than being a specialist position, Half-Forward flank can be played by centers, wingers, rovers/ruck rovers, or even attacking Half-Back flankers.
- Center (C): Centers are normally able to obtain the ball, be a link between defense and attack and possess very good kicking or hand-ball skills (usually on both sides of the body). They are also usually considered the "inside" midfielders, due to their responsibility in retrieving the football in close. Another critical role for centers is to contest with the opposing center at center-bounces that take place at the start of each quarter or after each goal, and at stoppages (i.e., boundary throw ins, ball ups). The center usually uses his height (typically players are over 195 cm tall) to palm/tap the ball down so that a ruck rover or rover can run onto it - similar to an NBA center at the tip-off. Traditionally, centers have simply been tall players with limited skill and speed, whose only job was to provide a contest in the ruck. However, in recent times centers have become faster and more skilled, so they can play as an extra midfielder in between ruck contests.
- Wings (W) (2): The Wingmen (of which there are two, on the left and right side) have a high level of stamina whilst having similar skills to that of a center. They are usually considered the "outside" midfielders, due to the extra space and freedom they create for themselves. They often lurk around center bounces and stoppages to receive the ball from the center or other wingman and complete a clearance or wait outside clearance situations for the ball to be 'fed' to them. Wingmen are typically the smallest player on the ground. They are said to be disappearing at elite level in favor of taller ruck-rovers.
- Full Back (FB): The fullback position has traditionally been a purely defensive role, with the aim of preventing the full-forward from marking the ball and scoring. However, in recent times, where the ability to move the ball out of defense and down the field quickly has become a more important tactic, the fullback often starts a chain of passes up the ground. The defensive aspect of the position remains important, with the ability to accelerate and change direction quickly. Spoiling the ball is also of utmost importance. The fullback often kicks the ball back into play after a point has been scored, although some teams prefer a midfielder or the small back pockets for this role, freeing the (typically taller) fullback player to attempt to mark the kick in. All and all they have the skills to play any position on the field.
- Back Pocket (BP) (2): The back pocket refers to a position on the field deep in defense. Back pocket players need to have good spoiling skills and usually, quality back-pockets are noted for their hardness. Back pockets generally play on the smaller, faster forward pockets and let the fullback play on the stronger full forward. Some back-pockets are small, fast players, whose role is to clear a loose ball from defense or play on a forward of similar size and speed. Others are 'mid-sized' defenders, with enough height and strength to contest or spoil marks and enough mobility to fulfill the first role. Back pocket is not an exclusive position. Tall defenders (i.e. full back/center half-back) may play in the back pocket to match up effectively on a tall forward playing in the forward pocket.
- Center Half-Back (CB): The center half-back ideally needs to be considerably strong, tall, fast and courageous. Center half-back is considered a key position in defense. There are two main styles of center half-back. The more defensive, one-on-one center half-backs, stick to the center half forwards and try to take them out of the game. Other teams use a more attacking and loose (i.e. not marking his man closely) player at CHB that will try and rebound the ball out of defense and make the transition into attack a lot quicker. A traditional center half-back is a mixture of the two, however in the modern game there is not much difference between a center half-back and a full-back. A full-back will often play against the center half-forward if they suit their opponent.
- Half-Back Flank (HB): The half-back flank is very similar to the back pocket position. However, a true half-back flanker is more attacking and concentrates on rebounding the ball out of the defensive 50. Sometimes half-back flankers even forgo their defensive duties in order to be more attacking. When a half-back flanker is attacking, they play like a wing-back in soccer (or an attacking full-back), and if they are more defensive then they play like a traditional full-back in soccer.