Soccer Positions

Like basketball, soccer players that are on the game field have their own designated positions. In the game of soccer there are eleven designated soccer positions on each team in the playing field. A single soccer team on the playing field has one goalie or goalkeeper and ten outfielders to play a variety of defensive, attacking and midfield positions. Each of these soccer positions has their own role and area of operation and certain set of skills are required in each of these soccer positions.

Goalkeeper or Goalie
The goalkeeper’s major responsibility is to not let the opposing team score by defending the goal. The goalkeeper is the only player in the field allowed to handle the ball with their hands. On the other hand, the goalkeeper is only restricted to a particular area near the goal that the goalkeeper is defending.

Defensive Positions or Defenders

Defenders are the players that are behind the midfielders. The main responsibilities of players designated in these soccer positions are to provide defensive support to the goalie and prevent the opposing team from scoring. Defenders usually stay on their side of the field.

* Centerback – the centerbacks’ main responsibility is to stop the opposing team from scoring or more particularly the strikers and to get the ball out of the penalty area as much as possible.

* Sweeper – sweepers are the adaptable type of centerbacks. They sweep the ball if the opponents manage to break through the defensive line. A sweeper must have excellent ball handling, ball control and ball passing abilities to counter any attacking moves that the opponent does.

* Fullback – fullbacks are the players that prevent the ball from crossing or cutting back into the penalty area.

Midfielders

Midfielders are positioned midway between the strikers and defenders. Their primary responsibilities are to make sure that they have possession of the ball, take the ball from the opposing team’s defenders and pass it to the strikers. Being a midfielder is one of the most exhausting soccer positions because midfielders’ duties are broad. They are either called back into defensive position or sometimes attack the opposing team along with the strikers.

* Defensive midfield – duties of players with these soccer positions is to take the ball away from the opposing team’s attackers.

* Attacking midfield – players with in these positions are responsible for creating scoring opportunities.

Strikers or Forward or Attackers

Players with these soccer positions are the ones nearest to the opposing team’s goal. Their main duty is to score goals. The other duty of players with these soccer positions is to set up goal for their team mates. Most well known soccer players are strikers because strikers tend to score more than any of their team mates.