Basic Player Positions in Soccer

There are four basic positions soccer players specialize in: goalkeeper, defender, midfielder, and forward. But within each of those positions, there are many variations. 

Goalkeeper: 

Job Description: The goalkeeper is the only player on the field allowed to pick up the ball with his hands—but only in the penalty area (also known as the 18-yard box). The goalkeeper must wear a different uniform than everyone else on the pitch, and is the only player allowed to wear gloves, long pants, and a cap. 

Typical physical attributes: Usually the tallest person on the team, with great upper body strength and hand-eye coordination. Must also be a great jumper. 

Typical mental attributes: Has to be confident to boss his defenders around, and brave in jumping after shots that are directed at his face. 

Famous goalkeepers: Oliver Kahn, Gianluigi Buffon, Emanuel Nuer, Iker Casillas, David De Gea, Thibeault Courtois. 

Defender: 

Defenders have to protect their goalkeepers and prevent the other team from scoring. There are three different types of defenders: central defenders, backs, and sweepers. Central defenders are taller, muscular, and are responsible for organization. There are two types of “backs”: wingbacks and fullbacks. Wingbacks are fast, play on the left or right sides of the field, and make forward runs. Fullbacks stay back the whole time, and their job is to stop the opponents’ wingers from being effective. Sweepers always stay behind to “sweep up” any longshot attempts by the opponents. 

Typical physical attributes: Central defenders are often tall, strong, hardnosed, and ready to risk their body in order to stop a dangerous play. Wingbacks are often shorter but faster, with great stamina to run the entire length of the pitch. Fullbacks are typically taller and slower than wingbacks. 

Typical mental attributes: Central defenders have to be assertive and commanding. Fullbacks must be defensive-minded, while wingbacks are more attacking-minded.  

Famous defenders: The most famous defenders are typically Italians: Maldini, Cannevaro, and Gattuso. But Germany’s Philip Lahm went a whole year without getting a single foul, which is truly incredible. 

Midfielder: 

Midfields are the workhorse of the team. Positioned between the forwards and defenders, they are crucially involved in both attacking and defending. They are playmakers and creative technicians, and must have excelling passing and shooting abilities, in addition to being able to quickly scan the field to find their teammates in open space. 

There are three types of midfielders: Centre attacking midfielders (CAM), centre defending midfielder (CDM), and wingers. CAMs support forwards by overwhelming opposing defenders, while CDMs frustrate opposing CAMs. Wingers provide support from the touchlines, often with crosses to the centre or by providing an outlet for central players under pressure. 

Typical physical attributes: Great stamina, ability for accurate short-distance and long-distance passing, and the ability to get knocked down and quickly get back up again. Long, luscious hair is a bonus. 

Typical mental attributes: Creativity, great vision, understanding attacking and defensive psychology. 

Famous midfielders: Modric, Xavi, Iniesta, Zidane, De Bruyne.  

Forwards: 

Forwards are usually the most famous players on any team. Their job is to score goals. They ar positioned at the top of the field, closest to the opponent’s goal. There are three basic types of forwards: striker, target man, and the “false 9”. The striker is the most dangerous player on the team in terms of scoring ability. 

They are fast and accurate with their shooting. The target man is usually a bigger partner for the striker, often able to win aerial battles and holding up play to give space and time for the striker to better position himself. The “false 9” is a player who acts as a target man, but often runs back deeply in order to get the ball from the midfield—leading to big open spaces in the centre of the field in his wake. 

Typical physical attributes: Fast, powerful legs, accurate headers. 

Typical mental attributes: Aggressive, dedicated to finding the goal, thick skinned to deal with aggression from defenders. 

Famous forwards: Cristiano Ronaldo, Messi, Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Pele, Maradonna