Shadow Striker
シャドー（セカンドトップ）
Shadow Striker — An attacker just behind the CF — the ‘2’ in a 3-4-2-1.
1💬 In a nutshell
“An assassin hiding in the CF's ‘shadow,’ bursting from the DF's blind spot.”
2🎬 See it move
An original tactics board (blue = the team in focus, red = the opponent; attacking left to right). The board animates on its own.
⚽ Open the interactive version (117 more terms, each with its own board)
3🔍 Why it matters — what to watch for
Defenders' eyes drift to the CF, so a shadow lurking behind is a position where marking easily blurs. Great receiving between the lines, great running beyond. A role deeply rooted in J-League culture and Japan's 3-4-2-1.
Analysts say“The two shadows receive well between the lines, giving the attack rhythm.”