CAM Soccer Position Explained
How do you play the CAM soccer position, or as the central attacking midfielder? The central attacking midfielder is an important position that should be played by a player who is extremely creative, has good vision, excellent technical ability on the ball, as well as many other important traits.
This demanding position serves as the bridge between defense and offense, often dictating the game’s flow. A traditional CAM is typically referred to as the number 10, although the player does not have to be wearing that specific jersey number.
In this blog, I will be discussing what the CAM soccer position is, the important traits of attacking central midfielders, their roles and responsibilities, as well as list some of the best CAMs in the history of the beautiful game.
What is the CAM Soccer Position?
In soccer, CAM stands for center attacking midfielder and this position is an essential link between defense and offense, usually operating in the spaces between midfield and attack. This player is usually positioned behind the striker or center forward and in front of the central midfielder.
Depending on the team’s formation and tactics, a team may have zero, one, or two or more attacking midfielders. A good CAM is like a chess grandmaster, always thinking several moves ahead.
They must anticipate play patterns, find gaps in opposition defenses, and create spaces for their teammates to exploit. Their main goals are to provide goal scoring opportunities for their teams and be constant attacking threats in the final and middle thirds of the field.
Important Traits for Attacking Midfielders
If you have ever tried playing the CAM position, either in real life or in FIFA, you know that you need a very specific player to find success in this position. Here are some of the most important traits to develop if you want to become a successful center attacking midfielder.
Constantly creating scoring opportunities
- Creating scoring opportunities as an attacking midfielder means having good dribbling ability, knowing how to create space, giving key passes to teammates, and scoring goals.
Spatial Awareness:
- A successful CAM needs an exceptional understanding of their position relative to other players on the field. You need to be fast mentally, not just physically and technically.
Ball Control
- As an attacking midfielder you need to develop elite ball control which means trapping the ball properly from the air and the ground as well as good dribbling ability in tight spaces.
Good vision
- As an attacking midfielder you need to develop good vision, by scanning often, gathering a lot of information, and being able to make the best choice from that information.
Stay calm during pressure
- Staying calm during pressure, being composed, and confident, are very important aspects for any attacking midfielder to develop. In this position you will be getting the ball a lot and you need to be comfortable playing calm, cool, collected, yet fast and efficiently.
Extremely creative
- As an attacking midfielder not only do you have to be composed, since you will be getting the ball a lot, but you need to be creative in how you pass and dribble the ball. Soccer is a game of deceiving your opponents and that requires creativity mixed with calmness and elite proprioception and fascia fitness.
Passing Ability
- In soccer, having the capability to pass efficiently with both feet is a game-changer. A central attacking midfielder with excellent passing skills can create opportunities out of thin air and keep opponents guessing at all times. It’s this unpredictability that makes them invaluable assets on the field.
Conditioning
- Midfielders are some of the players that run the most during a soccer game and the CAM position is no different. To be a good CAM not only do you need the technical abilities and tactical understanding, but you also need elite conditioning and stamina to keep up with the demands of this position for 90 minutes.
Responsibilities of the Attacking Midfielder
The role of the attacking midfielder is very important if the formation you choose has at least one or more of this type of player. Below are the key responsibilities associated with this crucial position:
- Play in the half-spaces and in between the lines of the opposing team to pick up the ball with space and time
- Scan the field constantly
- Create goal scoring opportunities for teammates
- Give accurate passes
- Make efficient runs and off-the-ball movements to open up space for themselves and for teammates
- Keep possession of the ball
- Stay calm and composed
- Balance the tempo of the game
- Drop to help the team defend when needed
Best CAM Soccer players
Now that you are more familiar with the traits and responsibilities of the CAM position, what better way to learn about this position than to analyze the best professional players who play as center attacking midfielders? Here is a list of some of the best CAM soccer players to analyze in the modern game.
- Leo Messi
- Kevin De Bruyne
- Bernardo Silva
- Bruno Fernandes
- Antoine Griezzman
- Martin Odegaard
- Jamal Musiala
- Florian Wirtz
Frequently Asked Questions
What number is the CAM usually associated with in soccer?
The CAM position is usually referred to as the number 10. The player playing the CAM position can be referred to as “playing as the 10” but they do not have to be wearing the number 10 jersey.
What is the difference between CM, CDM, and CAM?
A central midfielder, a central defensive midfielder, and a central attacking midfielder all play in the center of the midfield, but they have quite different roles which you can guess what they stand for by reading the names.
- The CM balances everything and they are referred to as the number 8
- The CDM focuses more on defending the back line and they are referred to as the number 6
- The CAM focuses more on contributing to the attack.
How can I learn more about the game?
To learn more about soccer the most important thing is to join a team and play the game as much as possible. If possible, analyze high level games as much as you can and your own games as well by recording them with a soccer camera. Also read soccer books, listen to podcasts and interviews watch soccer documentaries, as well as some movies, tv shows, and anime.
Conclusion
In conclusion, mastering the CAM soccer position requires a blend of creativity, vision, and technical prowess. The CAM serves as the linchpin between defense and offense, orchestrating plays, and creating scoring opportunities.
Developing traits like spatial awareness, ball control, and passing ability is crucial. By analyzing the best CAM players, aspiring talents can learn insights and elevate their game. Whether wearing the iconic number 10 jersey or not, the CAM’s impact on the field is undeniable, making it a position that demands skill, composure, and a strategic mindset.
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