How to Play Soccer?   

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How to play (Robo)Soccer?

It is really very simple! Follow our two guidelines:

• 1) Stay always in a useful position for the team!
• 2) Keep track of the ball!

This is enough to develop a good team (for a demonstration download the source code of FCPAgent). However many more guidelines are needed to develop a really very good team:

• 3) When the ball is not important scan the field (keeping track of teammates and opponents)
• 4) Don't speak unless you have anything important to say!
• 5) Communicate important events and information if you believe you are the one that know them better!
• 6) Prepare your actions by predicting it's outcome! (look out there and imagine possible scenarios!)
• 7) At each moment, try to reduce opponent's possible options and increase teammate's possible options!
• 8) To do different things in the field (attack, defend, etc.), different team behavior is needed!
• 9) Don't waste energy unless it is essential for the team!
• 10) Try to put yourself inside others' minds (teammates and opponents) and try to imagine what they are thinking!
• 11) If you can score, shoot! If not, if you may pass to someone who can score, pass! If not, if you can pass to someone that may pass to someone that may pass to someone that can score, pass! If not, ...
• 12) Don't hold the ball or dribble unless you really do not have anything else to do!
• 13) Don't pass backwards!
• 14) Forward the ball to the back of the defense whenever possible!
• 15) Cross the ball early from the flanks (wings) to the back of the defense!
• 16) Allow the ball to work for you! Don't you work for the ball!
• 17) Maintain a compact team shape!
• 18) Use the open space to attack and limit it to defend!
• 19) Forwards (and other players) should change positions to confuse the opponent's defense!
• 20) Wing forwards should stay wide to bring defenders out of the middle of the field!
• 21) When the ball is lost, all players must think defensively!
• 22) Challenge opponents (in control of the ball) very fast so that they may not advance in the field!
• 23) Limit opponent's choices by reducing his space and covering his pass lines!
• 24) As a defender don't do risky passes or risky interceptions. Be cautious! Let the opponent commit himself first!
• 25) The closer the play is near your own goal, the tighter the defense must be!
• 26) What you do without the ball is as important as what you do with the ball!
• 27) Use players with different capabilities for different positions!
• 28) Change your playing style according to the game situation and opponent!
• 29) Be flexible and adaptative. Don't use rigid rules for anything!
• 30) Train against different opponents and analyze deeply the games! 

 See our research areas and we are sure that it will be easy for you to relate each of these guidelines with the appropriate research topics!

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