One of the hardest things about understanding a new sport is learning the positions the players occupy on the field. You can watch cricket all day, for example, and still have no idea what's going on if you can't assign the proper commentary to the bowler, batsmen, wicket keeper, silly mid-off, fly slip, cover point and so on and so forth. The same applies for soccer. If you don't know what positions the players occupy, then it will be hard to understand the flow of the game.PLAYER POSITIONS
The way in which a team takes the field is known as its formation. When formations are discussed, the numbers of players are listed in defense, midfield and attack, with the keeper being omitted as an assumed position. For example, England has traditionally taken the 4-4-2 formation (left), with 4 defenders (two center backs, two full backs), 4 midfielders (two center midfielders, two wingers), and 2 forwards.
The team's formation says a lot about their strategy, tactics and strengths. For example, the 4-4-2 formation allows the two central midfielders to control the flow of play and distribution of the ball with the wingers and full backs moving up and down the wings to support the attack or defense as needed. This formation allows for coordinated defense and quick-breaking counter attacking football, both of which are highly valued in English league soccer. Portugal's formation, on the other hand, employs a 4-4-1-1 which gives the infamous Cristiano Ronaldo room to roam up front as a second striker and terrorize defensive lines.
Other common formations are 4-1-2-1-2 (the diamond formation currently used by Chelsea and utilized vintage Manchester United), 4-3-3 (used by Spain and the Netherlands in the 2006 World Cup), 4-2-3-1 (popular with French sides) and 4-5-1 (a defensive formation used to absorb pressure and grind out results or preserve existing leads).
Tomorrow on Soccer 101: The Officials.As mentioned in the Rules and Overviews post, each side in a soccer match fields 11 players, with one goal keeper and ten field players. Below are the most common positions found in modern soccer teams.
Goal Keeper
The goal keeper is charged with defending the team's goal. He is the only member of the team allowed to touch the ball with his hands. However, he is only allowed to touch the ball with his hands inside the penalty box. The position is a highly specialized one, making it rare for modern keepers to ever play another position on the field.
Center Backs
The center backs are a team's defensive foundation. Their primary roles are to stop attacks by the opposing team into their penalty area and to win aerial balls in that part of the field. Most teams employ two center backs who will either defend a given area of the field(zonal defense) or defend a specific player on the opposing team by closely marking that player (man-to-man marking).
Wing Backs / Half Backs / Full Backs
Call them what you want, full backs, wing backs, half backs, these positions occupy the outer edge of the defense. The exact name of the position differs according to the player's tasks and the team's overall strategy. However, in the modern game, the players on the wings of the defense are responsible for stopping the opposing team from distributing the ball into the penalty area and assisting with counter attacks up the field.
Center Midfielders
Center midfielders can have a wide range of roles and responsibilities depending on their strengths and the team's strategy. They will both defend and attack, depending on the flow of the game and which team has the ball. Their primary goal is to take pressure off of their back four defenders (known as the back line) by giving them someone to pass to and then distribute the ball to the wingers or attackers.
Wide Midfielders / Wingers
The flanks of the midfield are often staffed by the fastest and most technically skilled players on the team. These players assist primarily in the attack and are expected to distribute (or cross) the ball into the opponent's penalty area. If these players have dynamic attacking skills and cripplingly precise vision, they can draw a well-formed defense out of position in attempts to shut them down, thus opening opportunities (an space) for the attacking players in front of goal.
Attacking Midfielders
Depending on a team's midfield configuration, they may utilize a player caught in the Hole between the attackers and standard midfield line. These players often act as the attacking pivot for the team, linking up with the strikers to create goal scoring threats. They will often display good decision making, knowing when to feed the front line and when to take a shot on goal.
Forwards / Strikers
There are semantic differences between forwards and strikers, but for your reference, these are the guys responsible for scoring a good portions of their team's goals. A forward may be responsible for keeping possession of the ball with is back to goal while his team gets forward to attack, while a striker is tasked primarily with making well timed runs to beat defenders.Goal Keeper
The goal keeper is charged with defending the team's goal. He is the only member of the team allowed to touch the ball with his hands. However, he is only allowed to touch the ball with his hands inside the penalty box. The position is a highly specialized one, making it rare for modern keepers to ever play another position on the field.
Center Backs
The center backs are a team's defensive foundation. Their primary roles are to stop attacks by the opposing team into their penalty area and to win aerial balls in that part of the field. Most teams employ two center backs who will either defend a given area of the field(zonal defense) or defend a specific player on the opposing team by closely marking that player (man-to-man marking).
Wing Backs / Half Backs / Full Backs
Call them what you want, full backs, wing backs, half backs, these positions occupy the outer edge of the defense. The exact name of the position differs according to the player's tasks and the team's overall strategy. However, in the modern game, the players on the wings of the defense are responsible for stopping the opposing team from distributing the ball into the penalty area and assisting with counter attacks up the field.
Center Midfielders
Center midfielders can have a wide range of roles and responsibilities depending on their strengths and the team's strategy. They will both defend and attack, depending on the flow of the game and which team has the ball. Their primary goal is to take pressure off of their back four defenders (known as the back line) by giving them someone to pass to and then distribute the ball to the wingers or attackers.
Wide Midfielders / Wingers
The flanks of the midfield are often staffed by the fastest and most technically skilled players on the team. These players assist primarily in the attack and are expected to distribute (or cross) the ball into the opponent's penalty area. If these players have dynamic attacking skills and cripplingly precise vision, they can draw a well-formed defense out of position in attempts to shut them down, thus opening opportunities (an space) for the attacking players in front of goal.
Attacking Midfielders
Depending on a team's midfield configuration, they may utilize a player caught in the Hole between the attackers and standard midfield line. These players often act as the attacking pivot for the team, linking up with the strikers to create goal scoring threats. They will often display good decision making, knowing when to feed the front line and when to take a shot on goal.
Forwards / Strikers
FORMATIONS
The way in which a team takes the field is known as its formation. When formations are discussed, the numbers of players are listed in defense, midfield and attack, with the keeper being omitted as an assumed position. For example, England has traditionally taken the 4-4-2 formation (left), with 4 defenders (two center backs, two full backs), 4 midfielders (two center midfielders, two wingers), and 2 forwards.The team's formation says a lot about their strategy, tactics and strengths. For example, the 4-4-2 formation allows the two central midfielders to control the flow of play and distribution of the ball with the wingers and full backs moving up and down the wings to support the attack or defense as needed. This formation allows for coordinated defense and quick-breaking counter attacking football, both of which are highly valued in English league soccer. Portugal's formation, on the other hand, employs a 4-4-1-1 which gives the infamous Cristiano Ronaldo room to roam up front as a second striker and terrorize defensive lines.
Other common formations are 4-1-2-1-2 (the diamond formation currently used by Chelsea and utilized vintage Manchester United), 4-3-3 (used by Spain and the Netherlands in the 2006 World Cup), 4-2-3-1 (popular with French sides) and 4-5-1 (a defensive formation used to absorb pressure and grind out results or preserve existing leads).
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