Soccer Positions

Teaching soccer positions is one of the most difficult tasks a soccer coach faces. There is so much more to it than randomly assigning each player a position!

It is complicated because the players don't stay in one place. They are constantly on the move attacking or defending the soccer ball. Plus recreational soccer teams have players with varying skills, experience and athletic ability, and may have very few practices.

The Basics

The basic positions can be taught by demonstrations on the soccer field. Here are the basic positions each player should know:

Backs: A back defends the soccer ball
Defender: A player who works mainly in the defensive third of the field, focusing primarily on stopping the opposition's attackers from scoring.
Forward: A player who is responsible for most of the team scoring. They play in front of the rest of the team, or in the attacking third of the field.
Fullback: A rear defender.
Goalkeeper: Also known as a goalie or keeper, this person is positioned directly in front of the soccer goal and tries to prevent shots from crossing the goal line.
Midfielder: The midfielder is generally positioned in the middle third of the field between the forwards and defenders. Their job is to link the defense and the offense through ball control and passing. They both attack and defend the ball.
Striker: This term generally refers to a forward who is the team's primary scoring threat.
Sweeper: The sweeper position is not used in every soccer formation. If used, it is the team's last line of defense in front of the goalkeeper.

Advanced Concepts

After players learn the basic soccer positions, they can move on to more advanced concepts, such as how to move around the field relative to each other to advance the soccer ball and score.

For example, while on defense, players will learn that "left" side players should stay on the left side of the soccer field and "right" side players should stay on the right side of the soccer field. Fullbacks should be closer to their goalie than midfielders, and midfielders should be closer to their goalie than forwards. These guidelines also apply to offense, but not as strictly. As they get more comfortable in their positions, offensive players can be more creative than defensive players and may overlap to advance the attack.

Have Fun

When you're starting out, remember it's not all about winning. Place young players in a position they enjoy and where they can be successful. It will be more fun for everyone involved.