Soccer positions are split into 3 main groups: The Role of Each Soccer Position and Its ImportanceĪs with many sports, specific positions are assigned in soccer to ensure that each team can protect the ball and defend their goal to the best of their ability. This started in the 1920s to allow individuals to identify where players were on the field.īelow are the 11 soccer positions and how they are usually numbered.
You’ll see them clearly displayed on the back of a soccer player’s jersey. Attacking Midfielder (or Center Forward)Ī number is assigned to each position.The most common formation of these positions on a soccer field consists of four players in defense, three in midfield, and three forwards. These eleven positions include ten outfield players and one goalkeeper. In this article, I will review the critical aspects of each position you must know to dominate the soccer field. Soccer can be tons of fun if you know what you are doing on the field. How to properly train for each position.What makes someone great at their soccer position.Skill sets that are critical for each position.Field formations and where your position will be.The placement of positions on the soccer field.To understand positions in soccer, you must be familiar with: So, what should you know about each soccer position? I have spent many years playing and studying soccer, and throughout this guide, I’ll clearly explain everything you need to know about soccer positions. Today, there are many factors to fully understand everything about soccer positions – from knowing the placement of each position on the field to learning how to train for each specific position. Over the years, the positions and roles of the players on a soccer field have dramatically changed. Remarkable wing-backs are Marcelo, Dani Alves, Dani Carvajal and David Alaba.The game of soccer has been around for almost 2,000 years. Also, if you have five defenders (three center-backs and two wing-backs), this allows more liberty for the wing-backs to venture attacking. For example, if you have a defensive line of four defenders (two center-backs and two full-backs) and your team is in need of a goal, you will want the full-backs to behave more like wing-backs and attack. If, on the contrary, you are clinging to a narrow advantage, you will want your wing-backs to play more defensively. Many full-backs have played as wing-backs and wing-backs have played as full-backs.Ī wing-back's role depends on the team formation and specific moments of the game. The main difference is that wing-backs have much more attacking responsibility than full-backs do. The wing-back position is similar to the full-back in that wing-backs play close and along the sidelines of the field. Traditionally Assigned Soccer Position Numbers: 2, 3 & 6 Let’s take a look at the role of each soccer position and the iconic players who illustrate each role. Here, we provide an overview of how numbers were traditionally assigned by position. In the modern game, jersey numbers vary greatly depending on formation as well as a player's personal preference.
Historically, these numbers were used to indicate position, with the players on the field designated as #1 - 11. Below, we outline the traditional numbers for each soccer position. A common question is how numbers get assigned to positions. Second Forward / Second Striker / Support or Withdrawn Striker (CF or S)Īs you can see, there are plenty soccer positions and not all of them can play at once. Center-back / Center Full-back / Central Defender (CB)
Names And Abbreviations For Key Soccer Positions