Stacking the Field – An Introduction to Positions in Soccer

My first impression of soccer when I was a kid was that there was a ball, a net, and all that mattered was putting the ball into the net at any cost. It’s easy to think that when you watch a soccer game that all the players on the field sort of slot themselves into various spots on the field and just go after the ball when it gets near them. That’s not the case at all, because to win players must understand their positions and the roles they play when on defense or on the attack. It’s just like every other sport where cooperation and awareness are ingredients to a winning side. It’s why most grade school children sort of swarm like locusts around a ball.

This is a basic layout to keep in mind as you read about the positions.

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Little league coaches often stress the importance of learning positional roles and train these kids to understand that it’s not always an advantage to be the nearest player to the ball. When they know the positions, they can better see the field of play and how all their teammates fit in on it. When these players reach the top level of their profession, they can develop an almost telepathic connection with their teammates and make plays that were unseen mere seconds beforehand. Obviously, they don’t have supernatural powers. They just have a full understanding and trust that they are fulfilling their role, and their teammates are doing likewise.

I want to open a world to my readers that will help them make sense of the mass of humanity on the field. What may seem like chaos is a controlled movement up and down the field. The game makes so much more sense when you understand the players’ responsibilities. My very first article about soccer highlighted the importance of splitting the field into thirds: defensive, middle, and attacking. The eleven players on the field need to understand their roles within those sections. And after reading this, I hope you will have a better understanding as well.

A few terms to keep in mind:

The Box – On each side of the field is a rectangular outline that surrounds the net. This is where shots are typically taken to score a goal.

Set Piece – These are the classic free kick, and corner kick plays.

Clearing – When a player on defense must get the ball out of their box, they will “clear” the ball with a kick or a header with no particular destination in mind as long as it’s out of the box.

The Defensive Positions

A misunderstanding for viewers who are not into soccer that a conceded goal lies purely on the shoulders of the goalkeeper. In truth, the ball had to get past 10 other players to reach its destination. And that’s the incredible aspect of soccer is that everyone has a defensive responsibility. But the last bastion between victory and defeat is what is known as the defensive backline. The positions include:

• Center-Back

• Sweeper

• Full-back

• Wing-back

Real Madrid (La Liga - Spain) & French international defender Raphaël Varane.

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The center-back position is often a role shared by two players (i.e., center-halves) who occupy the center of the defensive third and take on the responsibility of being the last line of defense. On defense, they will bully the strikers or anyone who comes into the box. They maintain a strong presence in the box during a corner kick or free kicks to block shots and clear the ball from the box and will coordinate with their partner center-half to set an off-side trap and prevent the striker from making a run.

As for offensive responsibilities, center-backs are not supposed to play too high up the field. On attack, the center-halves will move up the field to the half-way line and act as a sort of security blanket for the players on offense. They will work to gain repossession from cleared balls or will support midfielders if they need to pass the ball backward and avoid an interception. The ideal center-back will tower above other players so they will occupy the opposition’s box to receive the ball from a set piece and head it into the goal. In the old days when the offside penalty was a very different rule, teams often employed a sweeper to play as deep as possible. This position fell out of use in recent decades, but they often operated as the very last player to defend the goalkeeper. They were known as a “free” defender who would mark specific attacking players and stay with them on a man-to-man basis.

Full-back players occupy the left and right sides of the defensive third and will protect the “wing” or sidelines of the field. They will mark attacking midfielders or wingers who try to make crossing passes into the box. When a set-piece must be performed, they will occupy their box along with the center-halves to make clearances. Historically, full-backs weren’t expected to fulfill many offensive duties and were usually supportive at the midfield line with their central defensive counterparts. But if a team had a particularly athletic player in the full-back position, they would play a more aggressive, attacking wing-back role. The modern game has transitioned the position to the point where a full-back essentially works like a hybrid attacking/defending part. They will protect against wingers, occupy both boxes on set-pieces, and be a more significant presence on attacking plays.

The Midfield Positions

• Central Midfield

• Wide Midfield

• Defensive Midfield

• Attacking Midfield

Tottenham Hotspur (Premier League - England) and English international midfielder Dele Alli.

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The midfield is my favorite position in soccer, specifically the central midfield. These players operate as the generals who direct passing and the structure of the attack. They are versatile, mentally strong players who can make beautiful passes into space and dispossess their opponents with ease. The center midfield will play from box to box to create not only an impact on attack but also prevent an opposition attack.

Wide midfield players are often mistaken for wingers. While they play a more attacking role, they are not the regular fit for a winger. They often serve as a transitional support player during the offensive build-up. They will work with center/full-backs to move the ball forward. Then they will coordinate with their fellow midfield players and attackers to mount a full-on attack. They are skilled ball-handlers (an ironic term, I know) who can help give width to an attack. On defense, they will work with other midfielders to cut off passing lanes and intercept passes.

Defensive midfielders are the screen for central defenders and often hold back when attacking. If a team has a weak defense, the defensive midfielders will provide support higher up the field. However, defensive midfielders also play a vital role in attack as the starting-off point for passing players. In essence, the defensive midfielder is a real workhorse of the team. They are expected to have a higher sense of aggression than a typical midfielder, but also have the awareness to make key passes.

Attacking midfielders are the quintessential playmakers who play between the midfielders and the attackers. An attacking midfielder is a linchpin for an attacking play. They are masters of footwork and vision to put defenders off balance and make key passing plays or shots on goal. They are a creative threat who can draw multiple defenders to create space for strikers or move around the defense altogether and set up scoring opportunities that way.

The Attacking Positions

• Center-forward/Striker

• Winger

Paris Saint-Germain (Ligue 1 - France) and Brazil international forward Neymar.

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Depending on how a coach fields their team, the forward or striker position can be occupied by one player or two. If a team relies on one attacker, that player is a center forward and is the primary goal scorer. However, they can share their role with a second striker, which can support the center forward or create a passing opportunity if the forward takes on multiple defenders. Their defensive responsibilities are light, but they can create havoc for an absent-minded or tired opponent.

Wingers are forwards who play forward along the sideline and can fulfill multiple roles on the attack. They are skillful players who can move around defenders and score goals from the flanks, they are speedsters who can work along the sideline to get past defenders and make a high crossing pass into the opposition’s box. They can also work inside towards the middle of the field to draw an additional defender and create a passing lane for the striker.  Defensively, they will harass opponents along the sideline and cause errant passes for the midfield to intercept.

With eleven players on the field working together, the chaos becomes order to the fan who understands the functions of every position. Every player has some sort of offensive and defensive responsibility and a position on the field. At the end of the day, once you realize how all 11 players work in tandem as they move the ball up and down the field, it becomes easy to follow the game. It’s akin to entering the Matrix and seeing it in its pure form. You’ll know Kung Fu in no time. Thank you so much for reading. Live well, and watch more soccer.