How to Know Soccer Team Positions and Their Roles

Knowing the responsibilities of the different player positions in soccer will enhance your understanding of the game.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Appreciate the goalkeeper. Also called goalie, or keeper, goalkeepers are unique in that they are the only players allowed to touch the ball with their hands. They may use their hands within the penalty area to keep the opposing team from scoring.

2. Watch the defenders. Their primary role is to take the ball away from the offense and start the attack in their team's favor. Their secondary role is to shut down the attack of the opposing team.

3. Check out the midfielders. They are often among the most hard-working players. They play both offense and defense. The midfield (middle ground) is the link between the offense and the defense.

4. Keep your eye on the forwards. They finish the attack and try to score. They must be willing to come back and aid in the midfield or defense to start an attack. Often, forwards are required to help defend corner kicks and free kicks.

Tips & Warnings

• Understand the fluidity of the game. There is no such thing as a fixed space or position in soccer. Players may interchange positions according to the flow of the game.
• Differentiate between the youth and adult games. In the early stages, children should be encouraged to rotate positions in order to learn them all. As a general rule, they should not specialize before age 11 or 12.
• Learn the rules. The Laws of the Game are the international guidelines of soccer. They are adapted for youth play, and may vary slightly among leagues.
• Understand how positions are played. Systems of play (e.g. called "4,4,2" or "4,3,3") refer to the alignment of defenders, midfielders and forwards, in that order.

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[stopper14]

on 6/9/2008 sometimes looking at my opponents body angle can help
i.e. hip position, foot placement, what the opponents looking at and overall body position

on 8/8/2006 As a goalie, you should just try and stay in the middle. Don't go left or right unless necessary. Most forwards just shoot and not aim, they always want to hit the middle and would most likely miss. Don't let the defenders come too near to or else they will block your line of view.

on 8/8/2006 You have to be the leader on the team, the smart one who knows the game, and watches film after film (which is not so fun, but it shows in the game).

on 7/11/2006 The way to win a soccer match is to score. You don't get anything by dribbling a lot and being fancy. So the best thing a midfielder can do is quickly give the ball to a striker, so he can score. Then quickly get back in place to help your team defend.

on 1/24/2006 To be a good center mid you have to be a fast thinker and quickly pass the ball. Your job is to get the ball out wide to wingers and find the forwards. You connect the offense and the defense. You also need to get back on defense. This position is great because you usually touch the ball the most.