SOCCER POSITION NUMBERING HOW TO
SOCCER POSITION NUMBERING FULL

The back defenders are also referred to as “ backs” and “ fullbacks.” When the goalkeeper makes a save, a back defender is often called upon to receive the ball and initiate the team’s counter-attack. Whereas they mostly play in their own half of the field, they can move forward to support their midfielders or an individual can even go deep into the attack. Their primary responsibility is to stop the forward-most attacks of the opponent by first ensuring that all opposition players are covered, then by trying to take the ball away, and finally by attempting to block or deflect any shots at their goal. The goalkeeper is also referred to as the “ goalie” or the “ keeper.”ĭefenders (D, B) – The defenders, or back defenders, are the field players directly in front of the goalkeeper.

This is due to the fact that the goalkeeper has the “handling privilege,” or the ability to play the ball with his hands or arms, but only within the defined space of his own “Penalty Area.” The goalkeeper may go anywhere on the field however, if the goalkeeper is outside of his own Penalty Area, he is subject to all of the regular rules that are applicable to field players. The single player acting as the goalkeeper for a team must be specifically acknowledged by the Referee and must be recognizable by wearing a jersey which contrasts with all of the other field players, on both teams, and the Referee. Goalkeeper (G, GK, K) – The goalkeeper is the only soccer position identified by name within the IFAB Laws of the Game. This shorthand is included in parentheses after the position names. When demonstrating a formation, describing player movement, or for any other written coaching purposes, a form of shorthand using acronyms is often used, corresponding to the positions identified below. The general terms used for positions in soccer are: Goalkeeper, Defenders, Midfielders, and Forwards. All of the players on the team other than the goalkeeper are often described as “ field players.” Many of the position names in soccer have synonyms.

SOCCER POSITION NUMBERING FULL

The following treatment represents a full eleven-player side (11 v 11).

It is common around the world to discuss soccer positions starting from the goal that the team is defending, and then proceeding outward into the field. The best defender of today may be the best goal-scorer of tomorrow. No young player should be type-cast by position. Not only does this provide them with an awareness of the requirements of the other positions, but it also exposes them to activities for which they may be better suited in the future. Coaches need to identify their formation, specify the names of the positions used in the formation, and then use the names consistently.Īlthough specialization occurs over time, it is critical that all players learn all skills and that young players, in particular, are given the opportunity to play at all of the positions. As this occurs, the positions tend to be linked to an increasingly more specialized skill set. This understanding begins by first introducing players to the generally-recognized names for the soccer positions and then by progressing to more specific terms as time goes on.

This is certainly true for soccer where players need the structure and understanding of a formation (and system of play) to be able to properly perform.

SOCCER POSITION NUMBERING HOW TO

As in all team sports, soccer players must ultimately specialize at various positions and then understand how to interact with players in other positions in order to effectively compete in the game.

Soccer position numbering