What Is a Target Man?
The old-school striker — big, strong, good in the air, and the player everyone aims for when they need a goal.
A target man is a striker who uses their physical presence to hold up the ball, bring teammates into play, and score goals — particularly from crosses and long balls. They're the focal point of the attack, the player everything goes through.
What it actually looks like
The target man plays with their back to goal. They receive long balls, chest them down, hold off defenders, and lay the ball off to teammates. They win headers, they occupy centre-backs, and they create space for others.
They're not the most mobile players. They're not going to run in behind the defence. But they're invaluable for teams that play direct football or need a focal point.
The three things a target man does
- Holds the ball up — receives under pressure and keeps it until teammates arrive
- Wins headers — competes for aerial balls at both ends of the pitch
- Brings others into play — lays the ball off to runners and creates chances
Target man vs poacher vs complete striker
| Target man | Poacher | Complete striker | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary skill | Physical presence | Finishing | Everything |
| Movement | Limited — stays central | Intelligent — finds space in the box | All over the pitch |
| Style | Hold-up play | Goalscoring | Build-up and goalscoring |
Why teams use a target man
- Direct football — the target man is the focal point for long balls
- Aerial threat — crosses into the box have a better chance of being converted
- Creating space — the target man occupies defenders, freeing up space for others
He is also the standard answer to a low block, where dropping deep achieves nothing and someone has to attack the ball in a crowded box.
The trade-off
The target man doesn't contribute much to build-up play. They're not mobile, they're not technical, and they can be isolated against mobile defenders. Modern football has moved away from the traditional target man, preferring more mobile strikers.
Famous examples
Didier Drogba, Alan Shearer, Olivier Giroud, and more recently players like Erling Haaland (though he's more of a complete striker) or Harry Kane (who drops deep).
Common questions
What is a target man in football?
A striker who uses physical strength and aerial ability to hold the ball up, win long passes and crosses, and bring teammates into the attack.
What is hold-up play?
Receiving the ball with your back to goal under pressure from a defender, keeping possession long enough for teammates to join the attack, then laying it off.
What is the difference between a target man and a poacher?
A target man is the focal point who links play and wins aerial duels. A poacher does almost nothing outside the penalty area and exists to finish chances inside it.
Is the target man out of date?
The pure version is rarer, because most teams want a striker who presses and runs in behind. But every side that plays direct football or needs a plan B still wants one on the bench.
What attributes does a target man need?
Height and strength, heading, first touch under pressure, and the composure to keep the ball with a centre-back on their back.
Try it yourself
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