What Are The 11 Positions In Soccer?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Players are grouped into four categories in a soccer roster (or squad). They are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Goalkeepers<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Defenders<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Midfielders<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Forwards<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Within these categories, there are different specialist positions with a variety of roles, responsibilities, and names. While soccer positions are constantly evolving, and may vary from team to team, they are traditionally grouped as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Goalkeepers<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Full-backs or wingbacks<\/a> (defenders)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Center backs<\/a> (defenders)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Central midfielders<\/a> (midfielders)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Wingers or wide forwards<\/a> (midfielders\/forwards)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Strikers<\/a> (forwards)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
We will look at each of these positions and their different variations below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>Goalkeeper<\/h3>\n\n\n
\n![\"Bayern](\"https:\/\/www.casino.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Manuel-Neuer.jpg\")
Image of Manuel Neuer: Steffen Pr\u00f6\u00dfdorf, CC BY-SA 4.0
<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nWhat they do:<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Goalkeepers are primarily responsible for preventing the opposition from scoring goals. They do this by stopping or \u2018saving\u2019 shots from opposition players, reading the game and clearing any balls that are played in behind their defenders, or catching or punching crosses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If a keeper can stop the opposition from scoring for the whole game, this is known as a \u2018clean sheet\u2019, and in most major tournaments and leagues, there are awards for goalkeepers that achieve the most. In the Premier League, it’s known as the \u2018Golden Glove<\/a>\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As well as their goal-stopping capabilities, goalies are also increasingly required to have high-level passing skills. Most present-day coaches try to play possession-based football, where the whole team passes around the opposition from one end of the pitch to another, and this all starts with the goalkeeper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Key Skills: <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Shot stopping, catching, punching, organization, communication, agility, reflexes, anticipation, passing and kicking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Famous players in this position:<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ederson, Allison, Thibaut Courtois, Manuel Neuer, Oliver Kahn, Iker Casillas, Peter Schmeichel, Gianluigi Buffon, Gordon Banks, and Lev Yashin. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Full-back And Wingback<\/h3>\n\n\n
\n![\"Kyle](\"https:\/\/www.casino.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/kyle-walker.jpg\")
Image of Kyle Walker: Steffen Pr\u00f6\u00dfdorf\/Wikipedia Commons <\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n What they do: <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Full-backs play on either side of a defense. They work together with other defenders to stop opposition attacking players from creating chances and scoring goals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Known as either a right-back or left-back, they often face one-on-one situations against opposition wingers or forwards, but must offer an outlet when their team has the ball, and provide offensive support for their forwards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This traditionally unglamorous position has developed a lot over the past few decades, and modern full-backs are now often viewed as a key creative component of their team. Former full-backs like Dani Alves, Phillip Lahm, and Roberto Carlos helped revolutionize the position and showcased how effective full-backs could be in maintaining possession, building attacks, and carving opportunities out for offensive players.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Wingbacks do a similar job to full-backs but have more of an emphasis on an attacking play, supporting their forwards and attacking players to try and create chances for their team. Historically, wingbacks played a lot further up the field than full-backs, but many of the best current full-backs in the world, like Trent Alexander Arnold and Kyle Walker, are often expected to do both jobs and cover the entire flank, or even move into midfield spaces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Key Skills:<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tackling, positioning, tactical awareness, interceptions, passing, crossing, speed, stamina, dribbling, communication and versatility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Famous players in this position:<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Trent Alexander Arnold, Kyler Walker, Achraf Hakimi, Dani Carvajal, Dani Alves, Phillip Lahm, Roberto Carlos, Javier Zanetti, Ashley Cole, Cafu, Nilton Santos.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>Center-back<\/h3>\n\n\n
\n![\"Sergio](\"https:\/\/www.casino.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Sergio_Ramos.jpg\")
Image of Sergio Ramos: Jan S0L0\/Wikipedia Commons <\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n What they do:<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Center-backs, also known as central defenders or center-halves, play at the heart of a defense, and their primary objective is to stop the opposition from scoring and creating goal threats.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Usually playing as a pair or a three, center-backs help to organize their team\u2019s defensive structure, \u2018mark<\/a>\u2019 opposition attacking players, build their own team’s attacks, and win both offensive and defensive aerial duels. Often center-halves are the biggest, strongest players on the pitch, and use this physicality to disrupt and dominate the opposition in both boxes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Center-backs can have different roles within their team, depending on the team\u2019s tactical requirements and the player\u2019s skills. For example, John Stones (Manchester City) is known as a technical \u2018ball-playing\u2019 defender who is comfortable on the ball and starts attacks with clever passes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On the other hand, Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus) was known for aggression, tenacity, and \u2018no-nonsense\u2019 defending which were skills that were more traditionally associated with center-backs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Key Skills:<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tackling, positioning, tactical awareness, blocking, interceptions, passing, strength, communication, leadership, heading, jumping, and anticipation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Famous players in this position:<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Virgil van Dijk, Sergio Ramos, Gerard Piqu\u00e9, Carles Puyol, Vincent Kompany, John Terry, Fabio Cannavaro, Paolo Maldini, Ronald Koeman, Franz Beckenbauer, and Bobby Moore.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>Center Midfield<\/h3>\n\n\n
\n![\"Danil](\"https:\/\/www.casino.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/jude-bellingham.jpg\")
Image of Danil Krugovoy (left) and Jude Bellingham (right): Vyacheslav Evdokimov\/Wikipedia Commons <\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n What they do: <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Central midfield is one of the most diverse and sophisticated positions in soccer. Center midfielders usually play one, if not a combination of the following roles:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Holding or defensive midfielder<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Defensive midfielders protect their center backs and break up opposition attacks with interceptions and tackles. They are also responsible for offering an initial outlet to build attacks and need excellent passing skills.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>Box-to-box<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Outstanding all-rounders, box-to-box players have to do everything on the pitch, helping their teams both offensively and defensively. Using a combination of physicality, hard work, and technical skill, box-to-box players are equally likely to be seen making a key tackle in their own half as shooting on goal or providing a key pass for a striker.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>Number 8<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Similar to a box-to-box midfielder, number 8s have outstanding all-round ability but are more focused on controlling the possession and tempo of a game and building their team\u2019s attacks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Playmaker or attacking midfielder<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Also known as attacking midfielders, or \u201cnumber 10s\u201d, playmakers try to create chances and score goals for themselves or their teammates. They often play between midfield and attacking players. They require outstanding touch, vision, passing, and shooting skills.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Central midfielders need to have diverse skills and may be required to play different roles even in the same game. Real Madrid star, Jude Bellingham previously wore the number 22 which signified the fact he could be a number four (holding midfielder), eight (box-to-box midfielder), and ten (attacking midfielder) at the same time. It highlights the importance of versatility in this position.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Key Skills:<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Passing, awareness, vision, dribbling, control, tackling, interceptions, pressing, shooting, stamina, tactical awareness, communication, leadership, versatility, technique and playmaking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Famous players in this position:<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jude Bellingham, \u0130lkay G\u00fcndo\u011fan, Kevin De Bruyne, Pedri, Luka Modri\u0107, Xavi, Andr\u00e9s Iniesta, Andrea Pirlo, Clarence Seedorf, Paul Scholes, Steven Gerrard, Zinedine Zidane, Bobby Charlton and Lothar Matthaus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Wingers Or Wide Forwards<\/h3>\n\n\n
\n![\"Lionel](\"https:\/\/www.casino.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/leo-messi.jpg\")
Image of Lionel Messi: Llu\u00eds\/Wikipedia Commons <\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n What they do: <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Wingers (also known as wide forwards) are attacking players that play on the flanks. They try to create and score goals for their team. Traditionally, wingers operated in the wide positions of a midfield four, however, many modern coaches play with a 4-3-3 formation and use two wide forwards and one central striker.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Wingers are often the quickest and most skillful dribblers in the team and usually have lots of individual battles with the opposition full-back throughout a match.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Wingers either look to run past opposition defenders on the outside, and cross balls into the box for their teammates to attack, or they cut inside and look to shoot or play passes around the opposition in central areas. Both require excellent close control, attacking vision, and pace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Key Skills:<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Speed, acceleration, dribbling, control, passing, crossing, shooting, tactical awareness, technique and playmaking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Famous players in this position:<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lionel Messi, Vinicius Junior, Mohamed Salah, Gareth Bale, Neymar, Rivaldo, Arjen Robben, Ryan Giggs, Stanley Matthews, George Best, and Garrincha.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Striker Or Center-forward<\/h3>\n\n\n
\n![\"Cristiano](\"https:\/\/www.casino.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/ronaldo-1.jpg\")
Image of Cristiano Ronaldo: Jan S0L0\/Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n What they do:<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Also known as the \u2018number nine\u2019 position, the striker soccer position is primarily responsible for scoring goals for their team. Usually, they operate in central areas (which is why they are also known as center-forwards) and act as the goalscoring focal point of the team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Strikers are matched up against central defenders, so have to have outstanding physical attributes. They either need to be able to hold off defenders and protect the ball so their team can build attacks, or to have the speed to run behind them. The best strikers in football history could often do both.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Prolific strikers can be the difference maker for their team. After all, goals win games. The best strikers can dig their team out of a sticky situation with a majestic piece of play or outstanding finish. This is why the striker position in soccer often costs more money than players in any other position.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Key Skills:<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Shooting, technique, control, positioning, tactical awareness, composure, passing, pressing, strength, speed, heading, jumping, and anticipation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Famous players in this position:<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Cristiano Ronaldo, Erling Haaland, Harry Kane, Luis Su\u00e1rez, Robert Lewandowski, Samuel Eto’o, David Villa, Alan Shearer, Gerd M\u00fcller, Pel\u00e9, Ronaldo, and Alfredo Di St\u00e9fano.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Soccer Player Formations<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
It’s also important to understand formations<\/a>. Formations, tactics, and player responsibilities are constantly developing, and it is the coach\u2019s job to get the most out of their team. There are no restrictions on where players can go on the field, or what they can do (within the rules). That’s up to them and the coach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Soccer coaches or managers set their teams up in formations that dictate where the player will most often be on the pitch, and what their responsibilities are within the team. The most common formations in the modern era are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- 4-4-2<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- 4-5-1<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- 4-3-3<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- 4-3-2-1<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- 4-1-3-2<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- 5-4-1<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- 4-1-2-1-2 diamond<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- 3-5-2<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
![\"3-5-2](\"https:\/\/www.casino.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/soccer-formations.png\")
Image of 3-5-2 formation: Jfd34\/Wikipedia Commons <\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n Each formation has its pros and cons, and a coach might want their players to be very rigid and disciplined within it, or give them more freedom and expression on the pitch. It’s the player\u2019s job to understand what the coach wants, and then execute it in the game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>Soccer Position Numbers<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
All soccer players<\/a> wear numbers on the back of their jerseys, and they often correspond to the position that the player plays on the pitch. Historically, players wore the correct number for their position, and \u2018squad players\u2019 were assigned a number above 11.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nowadays, though, it\u2019s not unusual to see a modern superstar wearing a non-traditional soccer number. Liverpool\u2019s Trent Alexander Arnold wears the number 66<\/a>, while Man City\u2019s Phil Foden wears 47. Legendary Brazil striker Ronaldo Naz\u00e1rio also wore number 99 in his time at AC Milan because his favored number 9 was already taken.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But, most commonly, positional numbers in soccer:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Goalkeeper<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Right-back<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Left-back<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Center-back<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Center-back<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Central defensive\/holding midfielder<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Right winger\/forward<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Central\/box-to-box midfielder<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Striker<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Playmaker\/attacking midfielder<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Left winger\/forward<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
![\"Midfielder\u00a0Thiago](\"https:\/\/www.casino.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Thiago_Alcantara.jpg\")
Image of midfielder Thiago Alcantara: Rolandhino1\/Wikipedia Commons<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n <\/a>Soccer Position Abbreviations<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
All soccer field positions can be abbreviated down to two or three letters, instead of using the full name. If you\u2019ve ever built your own soccer team online or played a soccer management simulation game, you\u2019ve probably discovered this before.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The full list of abbreviations are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Goalkeeper – GK<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Center-back – CB<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Right full-back – RB<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Left full-back – LB<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Right wing-back – RWB<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Left wing-back – LWB<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Central defensive\/holding midfield – CDM<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Center midfield – CM<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Attacking midfielders – AM<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Right winger\/forward – RW<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Left winger\/forward – LW<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Center forward – CF<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Striker – ST<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Soccer Positions FAQ<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Soccer positions are their roles can be complicated, especially if you’re not familiar with the game. To make sure you’ve got all the info you need, we’ve answered some of the most commonly asked questions about soccer positions:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Q: What are the 11 positions in soccer?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The 11 positions in soccer are Goalkeeper, right-back, left-back, center-back, central defensive\/holding midfielder, right winger\/forward, central\/box-to-box midfielder, striker, playmaker\/attacking midfielder and left winger\/forward<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Q: What is the hardest position in soccer?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Since its a team game, all positions contribute to the success of the team in soccer. However, the goalkeeper is usually regarded as one of the hardest positions in soccer because of their unique role.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Q: How many players on a soccer team?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
While only 11 players can be on the field, most soccer teams have a roster of 18 to 23 players on average. This allows them to cover the five substitutions they are allowed and adapt to any injuries. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Q: How many soccer players are allowed on the field?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Only 11 players are allowed on the field per team. A goal keeper and 10 outfielders. However, teams can find themselves playing with fewer players if any get red-carded and sent off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Learning The Beautiful Game<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
In this article, we\u2019ve covered everything you need to know about all positions in soccer and their related soccer numbers. Remember though, soccer number positions are just theoretical. Just because a player usually plays a specific position, or wears a particular number, doesn\u2019t mean they can\u2019t go into a certain area of the pitch, attack and defend, or even play multiple positions in one match.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As the game develops and coaches are looking for more innovative ways to beat opposition teams, traditional positions are becoming a thing of the past. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Players are increasingly required to take on more responsibility on the pitch, so don\u2019t be surprised to see star strikers working as hard defensively as they do in the attacking third, or for a full-back to be their team\u2019s main creative outlet. Positions are just a guide. Coaches, players, and teams are all unique.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nFor more on soccer, check out our articles on soccer relegation<\/a>, the best soccer teams<\/a> of all time, and the richest soccer teams<\/a>. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Soccer positions are grouped into four main categories: Goalkeepers, Defenders, Midfielders and Forwards. You then have positions within these categories, …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":73,"featured_media":37647,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[15,13],"tags":[],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n
Soccer 101: All Soccer Positions Explained By Name & Number<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Learn all the soccer positions, including where they belong on the pitch, their responsibilities, names, and associated numbers.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.casino.org\/blog\/all-soccer-positions-explained\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Soccer 101: All Soccer Positions Explained By Name & Number\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Learn all the soccer positions, including where they belong on the pitch, their responsibilities, names, and associated numbers.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.casino.org\/blog\/all-soccer-positions-explained\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" 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- Striker – ST<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- Center forward – CF<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- Left winger\/forward – LW<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- Right winger\/forward – RW<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- Attacking midfielders – AM<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- Center midfield – CM<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- Central defensive\/holding midfield – CDM<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- Left wing-back – LWB<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- Right wing-back – RWB<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- Left full-back – LB<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- Right full-back – RB<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- Center-back – CB<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- Goalkeeper – GK<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- Full-backs or wingbacks<\/a> (defenders)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Goalkeepers<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n