How Many Players on a Soccer Team? Soccer Positions Explained
The most popular game is played on a soccer field with 11 players. These players are selected by coaches based on their performance in the leagues and matches.
Each player has a specific role on the field that contributes to the team’s overall strategy. This blog explains how many soccer players are on a soccer team and the positions of players.
What are the 11 Positions in Soccer?
In a soccer game, there are 11 players, each performing in their specific position. Among them, 4 positions have the most important role and greatly help the team: Goalkeeper, Defense, Midfield, and Attack.
Simply put, the goalkeeper’s job is to save goals, the defender stops the opposing player from scoring, the midfielder passes the ball to the attacker, and the attacker hits the ball to score a goal. Therefore, these four positions hold great importance. Now, let’s study the positions in soccer further.
- Goalkeeper
- Right Fullback
- Left Fullback
- Center back
- Center back
- Center Midfield
- Center Midfield
- Right Midfield/Wing
- Forward
- Forward
- Left Midfield/Wing
Soccer position step by step Guide
Goalkeeper
A soccer game starts from the center of the ground, with one team’s players beginning the game after a toss. The goalkeeper stands at the goalpost on the last line of the ground, always alert and with eyes open, because the ball can suddenly come towards them at any time.
So, simply, the goalkeeper’s main role is to save goals, which is why the goalkeeper is included in the main areas of the game.
Key skills:
Goalkeeper has many key skills but here is the most important explained.
- Catching: The goalkeepers can easily catch the ball because they practice so much that they become skilled at catching fast-coming balls. Their gloves also help them grip the ball well.
- Shot-stopping: Similarly, the goalkeeper is also an expert at stopping shots, whether a fast shot or a penalty. They can easily judge where the player is going to shoot.
- Kicking: Although every player can make a good shot, the goalkeeper is skilled at judging the ball and passing it accurately to their teammates. The goalkeeper can easily throw the ball up to the half-center of the field.
Other names for Goalkeepers
- Goalie
- Keeper
- Shot-stopper
- Netminder
- Goal-minder
- Custodian
- Guardian
Center back
The center-back is the player who stands before the goalkeeper and helps the entire team prevent goals. They block the opposing players from getting the ball towards the goalpost and, in the same way, intercept the ball and pass it to their own teammates.
Key skills:
- Positional discipline: The center-back maintains the discipline of the entire team’s game. They are very skilled at understanding the game and can anticipate what the opposing player is going to do next. This way, they can keep their team’s discipline intact.
- Tackling: They have the understanding of when to tackle the players when to steal the ball, and how to clear the ball in a clean manner. In this way, they can defend their team effectively.
- Passing: The center-back can easily handle a fast-coming ball. Every center-back should be able to understand how to stop the ball easily and control it, and this is a sign of a good player.
Other names for Center back
- Center Back
- Central Defender
- Center-Half
- Center-Back Defender
- Stopper
- Central Back
- Defensive Center
Fullback
A fullback comes in two types: one who stands on the right side and the other who stands on the left side. They are defenders, just like the center-back, and act as protectors for their team, stopping the opponents. The fullback follows a system like (4-3-3), where there is one right back, two center backs, and one left back. In this way, these fullbacks are also considered as wing-backs.
Key skills:
- Speed: They are very fast, like the wind, and because of their speed, they can easily stop opponents.
- Stamina: They don’t tire and can play the entire match without fatigue. This is a sign of a good player good stamina makes a player great. Every player should have good stamina.
- 1v1 defending: These players compete in one-on-one situations, which is a good trick for handling opponents. Therefore, every player should be able to handle one-on-one battles effectively.
Other names Full back
- Full Back
- Right Back
- Left Back
- Defensive Back
- Wing-Back
- Outside Back
- Flank Defender
Center Midfield
The center midfielder has an important role in the team. There are different types of center midfielders, including (CDMs), who help manage the backline. Another type is (CAMs), who play a crucial role in the game alongside the forwards. In addition to this, they have many qualities and play a very important role.
Key skills:
- Ball control: They have excellent ball control and can easily stop fast-coming balls. This is a sign of a good midfielder that they should have great ball control.
- Dribbling: They can easily dodge players and are skilled at dribbling. Their ability to deceive opponents and get the ball to their teammates plays an important role.
- Passing ability: Another important point is that they play a crucial role in one-touch play throughout the team. They quickly move the ball from the backline, dribble, and then pass it to the forward.
Other names for Center Midfield
- Midfield General
- Playmaker
- Midfield Anchor
- Central Playmaker
- Midfield Maestro
Wide Midfield/Wing
Wide midfielders are those who stay connected with the forwards throughout the game. They pass the ball to them, deliver headers, and create easy chances so that the forwards can score easily. They are often set up in formations like 4-2-2, which tracks back and are skilled at helping the fullbacks. They are constantly running at high speed.
Key skills:
- Speed: They have a lot of speed because they need to support the fullbacks by tracking back and also helping the forwards. This is why they are considered speedy players.
- Shooting ability: Like goalkeepers, they are skilled at shooting and can take direct shots from the forward’s pass.
- Dribbling:
Other names for Midfield/Wing
- Wide Midfielder
- Wing Midfielder
- Attacking Midfielder
- Flanker
- Winger
- Right/Left Midfielder
- Wide Playmaker
Forward
So, the part we are discussing is the most important part of the game, which helps the team win. The forward player, who takes the ball from the wingers and is skilled at scoring goals, plays in a very dangerous position. Many forwards get injured in matches, league games, and training. For example, Ronaldo is a forward who has achieved great skill in scoring goals.
Key skills:
Shooting ability: Their shooting skills are of a very high level, allowing them to score easily from a long distance. Similarly, they can also easily score penalty goals.
Technical skill: They can easily dribble, control the ball, shoot, and score with headers.
Intelligent movement: They have a lot of skill in knowing when to connect with the midfielders when to move away from the goalpost, and when to advance forward. Similarly, they play with a great understanding alongside their wingers.
Other names for Forward
- Striker
- Attacker
- Center Forward
- Frontman
- Forward Player
- Goal Scorer
- Hitman
Soccer Position Abbreviations
Here is the soccer abbreviations list explained:
| Short Form | Full Form |
| GK | Goalkeeper |
| RB | Right Back |
| LB | Left Back |
| CB | Center Back |
| CM | Center Midfielder |
| RM | Right Midfielder |
| LM | Left Midfielder |
| RW | Right Winger |
| LW | Left Winger |
| ST | Striker |
| CF | Center Forward |
| AM | Attacking Midfielder |
| DM | Defensive Midfielder |
| SW | Sweeper |
| WB | Wing Back |
| RWB | Right Wing Back |
| LWB | Left Wing Back |
| CDM | Central Defensive Midfielder |
| CAM | Central Attacking Midfielder |
| CF | Center Forward |
| T | Target Forward |
| SS | Second Striker |
| P | Playmaker |
| M | Midfielder |
| B | Back |
| F | Forward |
| D | Defender |
The Importance of the Positions
Talking about positions is a very good technique where everything follows a chain. The ball starts with the goalkeeper, moves to the center-back, then to the fullbacks, and finally to the wingers and forwards. This is a very effective technique and can also be described in simple terms as a one-touch game.
Size Variation Between Professional And Youth Soccer Teams
In soccer, the game is typically played with 11 players on each team, but each level has its own conditions, ranging from youth soccer to professional players.
Youth U6-U8: Games are typically played with 4v4 or 5v5 teams, focusing on basic skills and fun.
Youth U9-U10: Teams play 7v7, introducing more complex strategies and team dynamics.
Youth U11-U12: Games are 9v9, allowing players to develop tactical understanding and teamwork.
Youth U13 and older: Standard 11v11 games prepare players for full-field competition and advanced strategies.
Final Words:
Each team plays with 11 players, and four positions are crucial for the whole team: Goalkeeper, Defense, Midfield, and Attack.
Each team has 18 to 23 players, but only 11 play simultaneously. The remaining players can replace anyone who gets injured or faces other issues.
FAQs:
How do injured players and a yellow or red card affect a team?
Injuries and yellow or red cards can be detrimental to a team. A serious foul may result in a red card, which means you are sent off for the entire match. A yellow card, on the other hand, is a warning for a minor foul.
What are the four main positions in soccer?
The main positions in soccer are Goalkeeper, Defense, Midfield, and Attack.
What is a double pivot in soccer?
A double pivot is when two central midfielders play side by side. This setup helps the team defend better, keep possession of the ball, and control the game from the middle of the field.
How can I learn more about the game?
To learn more about soccer, watch games, read books, join a team, explore online resources, and attend coaching clinics.
