Want to Know About the
Soccer Positions?

Due to the fact that there is not only one way to set up a team, the soccer positions may vary. However, there are some basic positions used in almost every formation, and there are some formations which are commonly used.

I have put a brief description of the soccer positions in the Basic Guide to the Game if you would just like a very basic explanation.

Soccer Positions - Basics of the Soccer Positions

There are four basic soccer positions:

• Goalkeeper (or just "keeper")
• Defender
• Midfielder
• Striker

There will be multiple players at each of these positions with the exception of the goalkeeper (you are only allowed one keeper on your team, because he is allowed to touch the ball with his hands).

When referring to the team formation we usually give three numbers in a row, for example: 4-4-2. The numbers represent the number of players in each position starting from the from the back of the formation to the front (there is not a number for the keeper, because there is always just one).

So in the example given (4-4-2), the first four means there are four defenders, the second four means four midfielders, and the two means two strikers.

I give 4-4-2 as an example, because it is a very common formation. Below is a picture of a 4-4-2 formation with the keeper in purple, the defenders in blue, the midfielders in yellow, and the strikers in red.

Soccer Positions - Stopper/Sweeper Formation

One common variation to the defensive line is to play the center defenders as a sweeper and a stopper.

In this set up, instead of being in a straight line with the wide defenders, the two center defenders line up front and back as shown below.

This allows the defender in the back (the sweeper) to range across the entire center area in the defense.

His job is then to work as a pick up man of sorts. He will work behind the other defenders and pick the ball off players who get through, or to snag the ball if it is sent through the middle.

Meanwhile, the defender in front (the stopper) marks the opposing striker in the center, and plays almost as a deep midfielder to strengthen the midfield.

Soccer Positions - Other Variations

Teams may use different formations to help with different styles of play. One common formation is a 4-3-3.

Having three strikers makes it a good offensive set up. The team can put a center striker up top and have the wide strikers there for support.

The midfielders should be supporting the offense as well (though this is the case in any formation).

However, the disadvantage to this formation is that it puts a large portion of work on the center midfielder. He now has to carry the weight of the center of midfield by himself, where as in a 4-4-2 you would have 2 center midfielders.

Sometimes you will see teams use four lines of players rather than three (eg.
4-2-3-1). This is not as common as many other formations, but it does get used.

In a 4-2-3-1, you only have one striker, but there are three attacking midfielders who run a good portion of the offense, but they have to be able to get back and help in the midfield as well.

This leaves two defending midfielders and the four defense to work as the majority of the defense.

There are many ways to set up a team, so I will stop there to save your time. I hope that gives you a picture of what the soccer positions are and an idea of how teams are set up.