Soccer Positions Explained

Players

Positions

• Goalkeeper (GK): responsible for preventing the opposing team from scoring by defending the goal
• Defenders (DF): help the goalkeeper by defending the goal and preventing the opposing team from scoring
  • Center-back (CB): defends the goal and wins aerial battles
  • Full-back (FB): supports both the defense and the attack by making runs down the wings
• Midfielders (MF): support both the defense and the attack by maintaining possession and creating scoring opportunities
  • Defensive midfielder (DM): breaks up opposition attacks and wins the ball back
  • Central midfielder (CM): dictates the pace of the game and creates scoring opportunities
  • Attacking midfielder (AM): creates scoring opportunities with their vision and passing ability
• Forwards (FW): responsible for scoring goals
  • Striker (ST): scores goals and holds up the ball to bring others into play
  • Winger (WG): uses their pace and agility to beat opponents and deliver crosses into the box

Skills and Abilities

• Dribbling: the ability to beat opponents with the ball at their feet
• Passing: the ability to distribute the ball to teammates accurately and effectively
• Shooting: the ability to score goals with power, precision, and technique
• Vision: the ability to read the game and find space to create scoring opportunities
• Pace and agility: the ability to quickly change direction and accelerate away from opponents
• Strength and power: the ability to win battles for the ball and hold off opponents

Player Roles

• Target man: a tall, physical striker who holds up the ball and brings others into play
• False 9: a striker who drops deep and creates space for other attackers to make runs into
• Regista: a deep-lying playmaker who dictates the pace of the game with their passing ability
• Box-to-box midfielder: a midfielder who supports both the defense and the attack with their energy and work rate

Soccer Positions

• Goalkeeper (GK): defends the goal to prevent opponents from scoring
• Defenders (DF):
  • Center-back (CB): defends the goal and wins aerial battles
  • Full-back (FB): supports both defense and attack with runs down the wings
• Midfielders (MF):
  • Defensive midfielder (DM): breaks up opposition attacks and wins the ball back
  • Central midfielder (CM): dictates the pace of the game and creates scoring opportunities
  • Attacking midfielder (AM): creates scoring opportunities with vision and passing ability
• Forwards (FW):
  • Striker (ST): scores goals and holds up the ball to bring others into play
  • Winger (WG): uses pace and agility to beat opponents and deliver crosses into the box

Key Skills and Abilities

• Dribbling: beats opponents with the ball at their feet
• Passing: distributes the ball to teammates accurately and effectively
• Shooting: scores goals with power, precision, and technique
• Vision: reads the game and finds space to create scoring opportunities
• Pace and agility: quickly changes direction and accelerates away from opponents
• Strength and power: wins battles for the ball and holds off opponents

Player Roles

• Target man: a tall, physical striker who holds up the ball and brings others into play
• False 9: a striker who drops deep and creates space for other attackers to make runs into
• Regista: a deep-lying playmaker who dictates the pace of the game with their passing ability
• Box-to-box midfielder: a midfielder who supports both defense and attack with energy and work rate

Learn about the different positions in soccer, including goalkeepers, defenders, midfielders, and their roles in the game.