#Positions in soccer numbers how to#

The defensive midfielder must be able to intercept their opponents passes and steal the ball whenever possible. Defensive Midfielder (DM) #4 or #6ĭefensive midfielders are sometimes referred to as holding midfielders because they are the last line of defense before the ball gets into defenders territory.

The attacking midfielder can set up plays and orchestrate goals better than any other player on the field.

#Positions in soccer numbers how to#

They can quickly switch to an offense role as a second striker, and must know how to score, as well as play aggressive defense when the ball is near that end of the field. This is because they sit in between the midfield and the offensive line. The midfielders job is to move the ball from the defenders to the forwards and to stop the opponent from making their way down the field.Īttacking midfielders are sometimes referred to as the play makers. They are typically situated in the middle of the field and on the wings. Midfielders usually see the most action throughout a game of soccer because they are the link between offense and defense. Here’s a quick video with some soccer tips for attacking players to give you an idea of the type of game-play expected from these positions.

They second striker should have good ball handling skills, as they will need to fend of defenders while the strikers get into scoring position. The second striker isn’t always used, but when they are their main objective is to set up scoring opportunities for the striker and forwards. The second striker is typically an attacking midfielder that has moved up to help the offense when the ball is near the opponents goal. The center forward and striker are often interchangeable and can usually work together to score goals for their team. The striker is the most passed to player on the team, and must be quick enough to avoid defenders. Their main goal is to stay open for passes and score goals. The striker is often the closest player to the opponents goal on the team. Good ball handling and quick footwork are important for this position to evade defenders and score goals. While they don’t have the ball, they will need to keep themselves open for a pass as much as possible. The center forward is responsible for scoring whenever the ball is passed to them. These players will typically be the fastest players on the team, and will play mostly near the opponents goal. These positions main goal is to score at all costs. Offensive positions in soccer are sometimes referred to as forward positions. Soccer Positions Location On Field: Offensive Positions Although not all couches use this approach, many find it helpful.īy matching the acronym in this list with the image below, you can identify where on the field each position is typically located during a soccer game. Using numbers to define the positions started in the 20’s. This helps coaches to better analyze and create formations for the team as a whole if the positions are numbered. This is not always the number reflected on their jersey, but the number assigned to their role and position they’re playing. Soccer Positions List And NumberĮach soccer position is given a number. If you don’t know the rules of soccer or how to play the game, I suggest visiting my How To Play Soccer article to get an idea. Let’s look at the complete list of soccer positions, and then go over the responsibilities and what’s expected of each position. Many players will be able to play multiple positions, and bring a variety of skill sets to any position they play.

The position a player is in doesn’t limit their responsibilities or skill set though. The team will count on the player of any position to know their role and what is expected of them. Each position, as well as category, has their own set of guidelines and roles when playing a game of soccer. Which Soccer Position Runs The Least? Soccer Position CategoriesĪll soccer positions can be put into one of three categories offensive, mid-field, or defensive.