False nine

A false nine is a football (soccer) tactic where the central forward, traditionally a goal scorer, drops deeper into midfield during play. This movement confuses defenders, creating space for teammates to attack or making it harder for opponents to mark him. Instead of staying up front, the false nine acts as a playmaker, linking defense and attack, which can unlock tight defenses and generate scoring chances. It requires versatile, intelligent players skilled in both attacking and distributing the ball to effectively orchestrate attacking play.