If you’re aware of the popular soccer game, you might’ve come across some initials like GK, RW, CB, or CAM. The first three initials are common as GK for a goalkeeper, RW for right-wing, or CB for center-back.
However, many may not know about CAM, which plays an important role in the game of soccer. CAM stands for the central attacking midfielder. It’s a position that an adept soccer player holds to regulate the game through various contributions.
So are you interested in knowing what crucial role a CAM plays in soccer? If yes, then read on to explore all about CAM below.
We’re going to demystify the position in terms of definition and its nine must-have traits.
What Does a CAM Actually Do?
CAM stands for the central attacking midfielder. As the name suggests, a CAM player operates in the dead center of the midfield. However, he also waits for opportune moments to attack the opponent.
A CAM essentially orchestrates the game for this team from the central stage. He pulls strings to turn the table in their favor. Besides that, he also contributes to creating momentum for the game.
The CAM’s primary objective is to connect the dots between the defensive and offensive lines, creating opportunities for their team to score.
The 9 Key Traits Needed in a Successful CAM
Now that we’ve established what a CAM is, let’s dive into what makes an exceptional one. A CAM needs a unique set of traits that set them apart from the rest.
Here are the nine key qualities that make a CAM truly outstanding:
Creativity
Like a talented painter, a CAM must envision his canvas, aka field, to make a master plan of how he would play his role. He must find a way to put the stroke of genius. That, in essence, is the creative touch of a CAM.
A CAM can conjure up passes from unexpected moments, apply flicks, and create jaw-dropping moves to get the upper hand over the opponent players in the field.
Awareness
A great CAM’s radar must be on alert mode throughout the game. He must know what’s going on around him in the field. He must keep an eye on the CAM from the opponent as well.
Like an avid chess player, a CAM must entertain all the possibilities in a game to deal with them through precise counter-attacks. With a clear mindset, he must look for chances to exploit and clinch victories in the most unexpected moments of the game.
Agility
The world of soccer is fast-paced, and one must be agile enough to get through hurdles down the ground. Being nimble and swift is the key here.
If, as a CAM, you aren’t lightning-quick and don’t possess smooth reflexes, shining through a soccer game will be quite difficult for you. A sea of defenders and attackers will come at you, and your primary goal is to snatch and pass the ball to the nearest ally.
Speed
A CAM may not be physically jacked, but his speed can make a real difference in the field. A decent portion of speed in his movement will add to his overall soccer skills.
Imagine you need to barge into a group of defenders and dribble or shoot the ball through them to your desired point. Only a healthy dose of speed can help you push through that hurdle and get to where you want to be.
Dribbling
When you, as a CAM, get hold of the ball, it’s time for you to show some real moves—dribbling the ball through a fleet of opponent players.
One thing is for sure; You must be a master in dribbling. Honing the dribbling skill can put you ahead of the curve at any time of the game. A CAM must adhere to the art of dribbling to be a successful campaigner.
Passing
Given the position where a CAM plays around, he must be smooth in passing the ball every time he gets hold of it. A CAM essentially needs to be adept in short passing, defense passing, proactive passing, attack passing, and so on.
Passing may seem to be a no-brainer for many. But anything but that! A well-coordinated pass by a CAM can dissect the opponent’s defenders and strikers to make an opportunity for a goal at the right moment.
Unpredictability
The top CAMs possess the quality of the element of surprise. He displays the charisma of unpredictability and turns it in his team’s favor at the most unexpected moment of the game.
A highly skilled and successful CAM would lure the opponent defenders into thinking that the CAM is only playing sober. But in the very next moment, he would launch a missile-like shot from a distance, targeting the goalpost.
Shooting Skills
A lot of things go into perfect shots in a soccer game. A successful CAM must have the trait of knowing his shots very well. He must be aware of the ground measurement to shoot the ball exactly where he wants it to.
A CAM doesn’t only orchestrate the momentum, but he also finishes it off with thunderous strikes. He knows he’s not just launching the ball just for shooting. Instead, he aims at making the opponent’s goalkeeper high and dry.
Composure
A true characteristic of a successful CAM should consist of coolness and composure. A soccer game can turn into a battleground at any given moment. A CAM must keep his composure right.
While all the other ten players in your team are sweating top to bottom to hold out the opponents, a calm CAM can find the most unanticipated chance of making a last-minute goal to make a difference.
Will the CAM Soccer Role Exist in the Future?
Any game that can create a fan craze will evolve with time. Hence, many critics are skeptical about whether the CAM role would exist in the future or not.
One of the reasons behind this concern is the innovative changes in the playstyles and techniques of soccer. Will such a brilliant attacker or orchestrator still find its place in the eleven? Will any other role replace a CAM?
Well, the answer to this concern is a resounding “yes.” No matter what innovations are in place over time, a visionary, tactical, and creative natural force will always be a top choice for any soccer team.
A CAM may not be an ultimate goal-scorer, but his vision, timely movements, awareness, and attacking prowess will always be a match-turner.
Conclusion
So that’s a CAM or a central attacking midfielder for you—a resilient, strategic, visionary, strong force in a soccer team that controls the team and the game itself from the depth.
A CAM’s creativity, presence of mind, physical force, and power of measurement can change any soccer game on any given day.
You’ll see many strikers making goals to win it for the team. But being a true soccer fan, you can’t miss the contribution a CAM puts into the game to make other players destroy the opponents’ castles.
