The Glass Cleat

It’s hard to find your position on the field

By Kamryn Rafael Reames

In the fairytale Cinderella, the prince searches for the girl that fits the glass slipper. In soccer, players search for their perfect position – their glass cleat.

Soccer is a sport that requires mental strength, physical strength, and passion. Finding out what position fita is a challenging task, each one is different and requires a varied set of skills. As you are getting older it is important to know what position best suits you. This is so you are practicing in that position. Charlotte Holland, who plays center back for Lonestar Soccer Club in Austin, said many players find their position by simply feeling it is the right one for them.

“I knew I wanted to be a defender because I wanted to be the change,” Holland said. “I wanted to be the reason the other team doesn’t score.” way in order to protect your goal. It takes mental and physical strength. If defenders hesitate when going into tackles or they don’t have the mentality that they are going to win, they won’t succeed.

“I play soccer for two reasons, one is for competitiveness and the team you build throughout the year. The 2nd reason why is because soccer makes me happy, it is a place where I can just be myself and relax, forget about school and just focus on soccer.”

Defense is only a third of the game, there are still the midfielders, which includes left and right wingers. The job of an offensive player is to score. Attacking players still have to defend, but their main role is to advance the ball. Azenath Velasquez, who plays left wing for Lonestar, said wingers typically need to have skills in one on one situations and be able to have skills on the ball.

“I knew I was meant to be a winger when I found out how fast I was,” Velasquez said.

The soccer field is filled with 11 unique positions. Players are taught that defense is a challenging task though. It takes more than just being able to answer yes to these questions. Defenders need to be able to put their body in harm’s

Imogen Hendrickse, attacking midfielder for Lonestar Soccer Club’s select program, said being an attacking player is challenging in many ways. Forwards must be fast and have a very strong mentality in order to score.

“I believe attacking midfielders decide when the game is won,” Hendrickse said, “Attacking midfielders are the playmakers on the pitch. They are in charge of controlling the midfield and switching the field. Oftentimes the game is won when your team has possession in the midfield.”

Goalies rarely play outside of their goalbox. Being a goalie means having to do whatever it takes to protect the goal. They put their bodies in harm’s way to do so.

Goalkeepers specialize in agility and reaction speed. Audrey Jones, goalkeeper, said being a goalkeeper can be exciting in many different ways.

“My favorite part of playing soccer is saving a goal or our team scoring a goal,” Jones said. “This is because the amount of joy that begins to grow through the entire team is absolutely breathtaking and I would love to have that feeling just stay in my body forever.”

The first position a player tries may not be their glass slipper, but just try different ones until it feels right. Audrey said soccer teaches you valuable lessons that you can use for the rest of your life. It’s also a place where you can escape your problems.

“Soccer means everything to me, without it I don’t know what would have become of me,” Jones said. “I believe that soccer has changed my life for the better and would have never changed it for the world.” A