In soccer, every team is made up of eleven players who all play a distinct role just as in other games like baseball and basketball. Traditionally, these roles were divided into offensive and defensive players but as the game evolves over time, soccer players have varying game play and can fulfil multiple roles over time. For beginners, it is important to understand the … [Read more...] about Soccer Positions Explained and How to Master Them

The second striker is a role normally seen in teams that utilize a two-forward alignment form of play. Usually, the second striker plays very closely to the striker by either falling back to act as the playmaker, or surge forward to thwart any offside traps. When played to perfection, this position can cause devastating effects to the opposing side, so lets explore this … [Read more...] about The Second Striker

Unlike defenders and strikers, the central midfield position requires a special type of player. This is because he does not have a defined role and needs to be skilled on both sides of the pitch. Additionally, this role changes from time to time and requires the player to play the whole length of the match. Though this may sound like a simple concept, many people … [Read more...] about Central Midfielder

In this article, we will look specifically at the center forward position, a prominent soccer position that is solely focused on one thing: converting chances into goals. In theory, every position is supposed to cover a specific area of the field. This includes how far forward or back the position is supposed to fall, as well as how far right or left their territory spans. … [Read more...] about The Centre Forward

Together, the right and left midfielders can be collectively referred to as the wide midfielders. Like wingers, they will be normally stationed in a wide role, but charged with an equal distribution of both attacking and defensive duties. This is where they differ with wingers, who start wide and tend to stay outside, focusing on attacking duties and feeding the ball to the … [Read more...] about Wide Midfielders

Not every soccer team in the world uses a formation where the wingback position is necessary. Nonetheless, those that do may do so with devastating effects to the opposing team using such talents as Brazil’s Roberto Carlos. The wingbacks can romp up and down the field, from defense, to midfield, right up to the rival’s goal. Where is this Position on the Pitch? A term … [Read more...] about The Wingback

To tear through a well-guarded defense in soccer, it takes a special type of player. It is more than just mere speed, or step-overs that is needed to confuse some defenders. Instead, it has more to do with having the intelligence to see openings that are concealed from everyone else, matched with impeccable passing techniques to take advantage of the tiny, invisible … [Read more...] about The Playmaker

The goalkeeper or goalie is the last player in the defensive backline and his/her main role is simply to prevent opposing players from getting the ball over the goal-line. This is done by either catching, clearing or re-directing threatening shots, thus ensuring the ball does not cross the goal-line. The goalie is mainly positioned between the goal posts and is only allowed … [Read more...] about The Goalkeeper

If you are a soccer lover, you must have noticed that nowadays, players’ jersey numbers no longer have to correspond to their traditional positions on the field. This is arguably one of the most conspicuous changes in the evolution of soccer, whereby you can no longer tell the game strategy by simply looking at the players’ names and numbers on a TV line-up. This trend … [Read more...] about The False 9

Center-backs are sometimes referred as center-halfs or central defenders and they play an important role in the defensive line of any team. Players in this soccer positions are tasked with the role of defending the goal by preventing rival players from scoring goals. Center-halfs are often considered the backbone of a squad because they thwart attacks, both in the air … [Read more...] about The Center Back

The full-backs in a soccer team are normally positioned on opposite ends of the defensive line and are technically referred to as either right-back or left-back. Most team formations include these two soccer positions but in some rare cases the defense may have only two center-backs and no full-backs. The role of the full-back continues to evolve and today they are not … [Read more...] about The Full Back

The defensive midfielder is the player who brings displeasure to the opposing team by suddenly stopping an attacking move. Though slightly different in terms of their roles, the holding or defensive mid normally acts as the missing jigsaw piece between the attack and defense units in a soccer team. Even though most of the accolades get directed to the resolute defenders … [Read more...] about The Defensive Holding Midfielder

Whether you are a coach, a seasoned soccer player or you’re just starting at soccer, there are some crucial principles you will have to understand intimately in order to be effective at your roles. For instance, as a player you must always seek to play in the position that will best showcase your skills and talents. As a coach, it is your job to figure out what position a … [Read more...] about The Winger