Let's throw some light on the different on-field football positions:
1) Goalkeeper: As we all know, the position of Goalkeeper is a specialist role. Purely defensive, the Goalkeeper's main job is to protect the team's goal. Goalkeepers are the only players who are allowed to touch the ball with their hands but they can do so only within the penalty area.
2) Defenders: Defenders or Backs form the next layer of players. Their sole objective is to defend the goal and prevent the opposition from scoring goals. They are largely confined to their own playing half of the field but do attack the opposition penalty area while taking a free kick or a corner. Defenders can be classified into the following positions:
a) Center-Back: As the name clearly suggests, a Center-Back plays in a central position. This is a very vital position and that's why Center-Backs need to be good at jumping, heading and tackling. The tactic of employing two Center-Backs in front of the goalkeeper is very popular among teams.
b) Full-Back: Full-Backs take up wide defensive positions, one on each side of the field. So, you have a Right-Back on the right-hand side and a Left-Back on the left-hand side. Their prime responsibility is to prevent the opposition from crossing or cutting the ball back into the penalty area. Apart from their defensive role, Full-Backs are also used as an attacking option and are vital while launching a concerted attack. Full-Backs provide crosses that help strikers score goals. One of the most famous Full-Backs is Roberto Carlos of Brazil who occupied the Left-Back position and was known for his lightning speed and his ferocious free kicks.
Soccer Positions
3) Midfielders: The next set of players on the field are the Midfielders. As the name suggests, they are positioned in the middle of the field and act as a link between the defenders and the strikers. This is perhaps the most crucial position on the field because the success of any team depends on its Midfielders. They maintain possession of the ball, taking the ball from the defenders and passing it to the strikers. Midfielders perform the dual role of attacking and defending. Like the defenders, Midfielders can be classified into the following positions:
a) Defensive Midfielder: A defensive Midfielder is stationed in front of the defender and is primarily there to thwart scoring attempts from opposition strikers by tackling and expert marking. Ball control, passing skills, tackling ability, good anticipation, stamina are the traits that a defensive midfielder should possess in order to be effective.
b) Central Midfielder: These are versatile players and have the greatest impact on a match. A link between the defenders and the strikers, a Central Midfielder occupies the central position and strategically the most important position on the field. Known for their stamina and passing ability, Central Midfielders create scoring opportunities for the strikers.
c) Winger: Wingers are midfielders with the focus on attack. Playing on both the right and the left flanks, Wingers stay close to the touchline delivering important crosses to strikers.
d) Attacking Midfielder: Attacking Midfielders are positioned right behind the strikers. They are playmakers creating opportunities for strikers by their deft touches and superior passing ability.
4) Strikers/Forwards: Strikers or Forwards are the closest to the opposition penalty area and have the all-important responsibility of scoring goals. Strikers are known for their supreme ability to finish and score goals. Teams all over the world opt for two Strikers just to lend the right kind of balance to the team. So, we saw how a team of 11 players is grouped on the football field. Teams use different combinations and methods to make the best use of the available resources. In fact, team combinations and strategies are as fascinating as this beautiful game. There are many other aspects to this global phenomenon called Football and we will try and understand each of these aspects.
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