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In the sport of association football, each of the eleven players on a team is assigned to a particular position on the field of play. A team is made up of one goalkeeper and ten outfield players who fill various defensive, midfield and attacking positions depending on the formation deployed. These positions describe both the player’s main role and their area of operation on the pitch. As the game has evolved, tactics and team formations have changed, and the names of the positions and the duties involved have evolved as well.
Goalkeeper- the most specialized position in football. Its job is mainly defensive: to guard the team’s goal from being breached (to not let the other team score). Goalkeeper is the only position defined in the Laws of the Game. It is the only players allowed touching the ball with their hands and arms, however they are restricted to doing so only within their penalty area; for this reason, they must wear jerseys that distinguish them from other outfield players and the referee. If a goalkeeper is sent off or injured, and there is no substitute goalkeeper available, an outfield player must take the goalkeeper’s place and don the appropriate identifying uniform. The discipline of goalkeeping is so specialized that it is very rare in the professional game for a goalkeeper to play in any other position. Physical strength, height, jumping ability and judgement are valued qualities for goalkeepers to have in order to deal with aerial balls and agility, quick reactions and a good positional sense are all needed for shot stopping.
Defenders – or what we called also as the back play behind the midfielders and their primary responsibility is to provide support to the goalkeeper, and to prevent the opposition from scoring a goal. They usually remain in the half of the field that contains the goal they are defending.
Center-back (CB) - also called centre-halves or central defenders, its job is to stop opposing players, particularly the strikers, from scoring, and to bring the ball out from their penalty area. Most teams employ two centre backs, stationed in front of the goalkeeper. Centre-backs are often tall, strong and have a good jumping, heading and tackling ability. Successful centre-backs also need to be able to concentrate, read the game well, and be brave and decisive in making last-ditch tackles on attacking players who might otherwise be through on goal.
Sweeper/ Libero (SW) - is a more versatile type of centre back that, as the name suggests, “sweeps up” the ball if the opponent manages to breach the defensive line. Their position is rather more fluid than other defenders who mark their designated opponents.
Full-Back (FB/RB/LB) – is the one who take up the wide defensive position, one on each side of the field. Their main task is to prevent opposition players crossing or cutting the ball back into the penalty area. In some defensive systems, full-backs mark opponents.
The modern full back is usually pacey, strong in the tackle and with good stamina to get up and down the field. Because of the experience gleaned from the use of their chosen foot, full backs often make good free kick or penalty takers.
Wingback (WB/RWB/LWB) - is a modern variation on the fullback with heavier emphasis on attack. The name is a portmanteau of “winger” (see below) and “full-back”. They are usually employed in a 3-5-2 formation, and could therefore be considered part of the midfield. As the role combines that of the winger and the fullback, wingbacks need to be blessed with good stamina. As they have the support of three centre-backs, they are expected to concentrate more on providing support for strikers and less on their defensive duties.
Midfielders - are players whose position of play is midway between the attacking strikers and the defenders. Their main duties are to maintain possession of the ball, taking the ball from defenders and feeding it to the strikers, as well as dispossessing opposing players. Midfielders can be expected to cover many areas of a pitch, as at times they can be called back into defense or required to attack with the strikers.
Centre midfielder (CM) - play several roles on the field of play, depending on their particular strengths and the tactics of the team. They are also the link between defense and attack, and must also defend when the opposition are in possession.
Defensive midfielder (DM) – also called as holding midfielder and midfield anchor is a central midfielder who is stationed in front of the back defenders for defensive reasons, thus “holding back” the freedom of the opponents to attack. The defensive midfielder screens the defense by harrying and tackling the opposition teams’ attackers and defenders. They also help tactically, by directing central attacking players out to the wing where they have more limited influence, and by covering the positions of full-backs, midfielders and even the centre-backs as they charge up into attack. This position are primarily defensive, as they are not defensive specialists, they are typically supported by a more defensive holding midfielder. This position required excellent positional sense, work rate, tackling ability, and anticipation (of player and ball movement) to excel. It also need excellent passing skills and close control to hold the ball.
Attacking midfielder (AM) - a central midfielder who is stationed in an advanced midfield position, usually behind the strikers. These players typically serve as the offensive pivot of the team, and are sometimes said to be “playing in the hole”, although this term can also be used to describe the positioning of deep-lying centre-forwards. Its main role is to is to create goal-scoring opportunities using superior vision and skill. This position is also a playmaker, they are known to their deft touch, ability to shoot from range, and passing process.
Winger (RW/LW) or wide midfielder (LM/RM) – is a midfielder who is also stationed in a wide position effectively hugging the touchline. It is also used to classified as forward in traditional W- shape formation. But over the last 30 years, wingers have dropped to deeper position field positions. Wingers need to have ‘off-the-ball’ intelligence, like all attacking players.
Forward - or also known as strikers, they are the players on a team in a row nearest to the opposing team’s goal. Its primary responsibility is to score goals. Their other duties are to include setting up goals for other player. Forwards are often among the best-known and most expensive players on their teams because they score more goals than the other players.
Centre forward (CF) – has only one main task and that is to score goals. Other forwards may rely on their pace to run onto long balls passed over or through the opposition defense, rather than collecting the ball with their back to goal like a target man. Some forwards can play both of these roles equally well.
Striker (S) – is different with the centre forward but there still similarity. Striker is better known as known for making runs to beat defenders their trying to beat the offside trap and playing close to the goal area. Strikers are typically recognized as quick and with good reaction speed and defensive responsibility.
Deep-lying forward (SS) – this position have long history in the game. And originally such players were termed inside forwards, or we can say deep-lying forwards. This position was initially developed by the famous Hungary national football team of the late 1940’s and mid 1950’s, it was Ferenc Puskás.
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