In recent years, football fans, pundits and experts have developed a whole new vocabulary for speaking about tactics, formations, and positional play within the game. Many casual viewers and supporters are now comfortable using terms like inverted fullback or libero to describe roles on the soccer field, and our knowledge of the various soccer formations available to coaches has also improved significantly. But this wasn’t always the case.
One of the first modern soccer positions to become widely discussed amongst football fanatics was the CAM position, which has only emerged in the 21st century. But what exactly does this position involve, and how does it differ to other key roles on the pitch?
CAM Soccer Position: Roles And Responsibilities
It’s not easy to play as a CAM. Central Attacking Midfielders are relied upon heavily by their teammates for offering moments of magic and helping to unpick opposition defences at the most crucial times. T
here’s a huge sense of responsibility created as a result, and the best CAMs are able to shoulder this burden and provide their team with the goods when they’re needed most.
The primary function of the central attacking midfield role is to link up midfield and attack. These players will constantly be attempting to find pockets of space in the opposition’s final third and deeper in midfield, looking to receive the ball and drive their team up the pitch, either by making an incisive pass or embarking on a forward dribble or run.
In the modern day, CAMs will also often be asked by their coaches to press opposition defenders in a structured way, which can also help create chances.
The offensive responsibilities of a central attacking midfielder also often include set-piece taking. Given the technical quality that players in this position must have, they will generally be one of the first names to be designated corner kick or advanced free kick taking responsibilities, offering them a chance to deliver dangerous set-pieces into the penalty area.