They are responsible for putting the ball in the back of the net by finishing off chances created by their teammates. The striker, or center forward, is the team's primary goal-scoring threat. Wingers often possess excellent pace, dribbling skills, and the ability to score from distance. They are responsible for creating scoring opportunities by dribbling past defenders, delivering crosses, and cutting inside to shoot on goal. Wingers are attacking players positioned on the flanks of the field, with the right winger (number 7) and left winger (number 11) operating on their respective sides. Central midfielders should have strong passing, dribbling, and tackling skills, as well as the stamina to cover large distances during a match. Their responsibilities include retaining possession, creating scoring opportunities, and supporting the team's defensive efforts. Central Midfielder (Numbers 8 and 10)Ĭentral midfielders, also known as box-to-box midfielders, operate in the middle of the field and contribute to both attack and defense. A defensive midfielder often possesses excellent tackling, positioning, and ball-winning abilities. They are responsible for breaking up opposition attacks, regaining possession, and distributing the ball to more attack-minded teammates. The defensive midfielder, also known as the holding midfielder, is positioned in front of the defense and helps protect the backline. Additionally, a composed and confident demeanor on the ball is crucial, as even the slightest mistake can lead to a costly concession. Their agility and nimble footwork allows them to shut down opposing attacks, while their assertiveness in challenges helps maintain the defensive line. They require a high level of physicality and endurance to excel in the game. The center backs work together to form a defensive partnership, with one often playing as a 'stopper' (aggressively challenging the ball) and the other as a 'sweeper' (covering space and intercepting passes). They are typically tall, strong, and good in the air, as they are responsible for marking opposing forwards and dealing with aerial threats from crosses and set pieces. Center Back (Numbers 4 and 5)Ĭenter backs, also known as central defenders, are positioned in the heart of the defense. The right fullback focuses on defending against left-wing attackers, while the left fullback deals with right-wing attackers. Fullbacks often support the midfielders in attacking plays, overlapping to provide width and crosses from their respective flanks. These players need to possess a good amount of athleticism and stamina. Their primary role is to defend against opposing attackers, particularly those on the wings. Fullbacks (Numbers 2 and 3)įullbacks, consisting of the right back(number 2) and left back (number 3), are defensive players stationed on the respective flanks of the field. Overall, goalkeepers are also responsible for organizing their team's defense, distributing the ball to teammates, and initiating counterattacks. While their primary responsibility is to prevent the opposing team from scoring by blocking or catching shots on goal, Goalkeepers are also the first line of attack, after gaining position of the ball they immediately need to shift into offense mode, by distributing the ball with to the field players. The goalkeeper is a physically challenging position as they need to be very athletic and poses sharp reflexes and they also need to be brave, and quick thinking. Of course, the keeper is the only player allowed to touch the ball with their hands within the designated penalty area. The goalkeeper is the last line of defense which makes this position critical to the success of the team. This article will explain the various soccer positions and their corresponding numbers, as well as the roles and responsibilities associated with each. Each player on the field has a specific position and traditionally these positions can be aligned with a corresponding number, which are essential to the team's overall strategy and structure. Soccer, or Fottball,as it is better known around the world, features two teams of 11 players each.

Positions and numbers in soccer