Glossary : Offensive skills

Offensive skills

Call of the ball
Ask for the ball in the right tempo and / or in the back of defenders and / or at the limit of the offside. Many asked ball and false one.
Typical example : Samuel Eto’O
Counter typical-example : No top level players

Creativity
First quality of a playmaker (Inventiveness and vision of the game)
Typical example : Andrea Pirlo
Counter typical-example : Edin Dzeko

Cross
Quality and accuracy of crosses
Typical example : Daniel Alves
Counter typical-example : Kwadwo Asamoah

Dribbling
Ability of dribbling and wiping out an opponent (ball touch and technique)
Typical example : Lionel Messi
Counter typical-example : Mario Gomez

Finishing
Capacity to concretize a goal opportunity (realism, efficiency)
Typical example : Radamel Falcao
Counter typical-example : Fernando Torres (when he's not in form)

First pass
No ball loss after ball recovery and good game animation           
Typical example : Vincent Kompany
Counter typical-example : Alex

Heading ability
Efficient heading game on crosses, long passes, free kicks
Typical example : Branislav Ivanovic
Counter typical-example : Sebastian Giovinco

Kicking (Goalkeeper)
 Good throw-out or clearance which often finds out a partner
Typical example : Victor Valdes
Counter typical-example : Salvatore Sirigu

Long pass game
Accurate long range passing game (beyond 15/20 meters), with few ball losses but also creation of good opportunities
Typical example : Andrea Pirlo
Counter typical-example : Kevin-Prince Boateng can improve in this field

Long range striking
Long range strikes (beyond 20/25 meters)
Typical example : Cristiano Ronaldo
Counter typical-example : Mario Gomez

Offensive movement
Offensive contribution (solutions for the ball holder, ask for the ball, runs with ball, penetration in zone of truth)
Typical example : Yaya Touré
Counter typical-example : Bastian Schweinsteiger

Pace
Big coverage of the field and lots of ball played
Typical example : Wayne Rooney
Counter typical-example : Mario Gomez

Pass
Mix of :
•    short range passing game
•    long range passing game
Typical example : David Silva
Average performance : Mario Gomez

Short pass game
Accurate and efficient short range passing game (creation of advantage and speed)
Typical example : Xavi
Counter typical-example : No top level players

Shot
Shots quality (by far or near)
Typical example : Steven Gerrard
Counter typical-example : Sergio Busquets