A soccer team consists of 11 players. Each player on the field has a separate job or position at which he must play. These positions are separated into two categories. They include “defensive” and “offensive” players. The defense is made up of the center back or stopper, the sweeper, the fullbacks, and the wingbacks. Each position has its own style of play and its own job to perform during a game. The offense is composed of the center forward, the striker, and deep-lying forwards. The midfield makes up a part of both the offense and the defense, depending on who has possession of the ball. The midfield is made up of the center, defensive, attacking, side, and winger midfielders. Another important position on the field is the goalkeeper. The goalkeeping position is the most specialized position on the field. The goalkeeper typically does not play any other position on the field.
The defense of a soccer team’s job is to protect the goal and stop the opposing team’s offense from scoring. The job of the offense is to score and to keep possession of the ball. The midfield’s job is to control the middle of the field, feeding balls from the defense up to the offense, and also to provide support for their attacking offense.
All positions on the field can be set up in specialized formations, depending on which ones the team finds to be most effective. These are also called “systems of play”. These formations are labeled with three-number patterns. A 4-4-2 would be a formation in which there are 4 defenders, 4 midfielders, and 2 forwards. These soccer formations are considered to be very important to coaches and teams and can make or break a soccer team. With each changing formation, strategies and position responsibilities change.
Many players specialize in a small number of positions. Each position requires a set type of skill and specialized play. Players who are able to play in many different types of positions are called “utility players”. These types of players are not very common. Typically a player will stay within his or her type of position (such as offense or defense) throughout their career. A sweeper may be able to change into a fullback rather easily, but a stopper will not be able to interchange with a striker as easily. Defensive and offensive positions are played with completely different tactics and players are typically unable to go between. The goalkeeper is usually completely specialized and plays only that one position. It is very rare to find a goalkeeper with the ability to play on the field as well.
Unlike American football and rugby, soccer positions are not as officially defined. Players are able to play anywhere on the field (with the exception of the goalkeeper). According to the rules of soccer, it would be completely legal to have all 11 players at the position of striker. However, this would leave the team’s goal open, so positions are made to protect the entirety of the field. Positions are a form of strategy rather than regulations in the game of soccer. As in any sport, each position is vital to a resulting successful team.
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