As with basketball, soccer is a game with players who perform a specific role. A team is comprised of eleven positions. There is one goalkeeper or goalie, and ten others who have to defend attack or take up midfield positions. Each role has a specific set of skills and a specific area to deal with.
Goalie or Goalkeeper
It is the goalie’s who has to prevent the opponents from scoring a goal. This person is the only one who can touch the ball with their hands and they can only move within a certain area of the field.
Defenders or Defensive Positions
These positions help the goalie prevent opponents from scoring a goal. Like the goalie, they are restricted to a certain area of the field.
*Centerback-the centerbacks try to stop the opponents particularly the strikers of the opposing team from scoring. They try to keep to ball out of the penalty areas.
*Sweepers- sweepers go after anyone from the opposing team who breaks through the defense line. A sweeper should be able to control the ball and pass it well and counter any moves that the attacking team brings.
*Fullback- These players try to prevent the ball from entering the penalty areas
Midfielders
These players are located between the strikers and the defenders. They try to get the ball from the defenders on the opposing team and pass it to their strikers. This is a position that requires a lot of energy because they have to keep an eye on many things at once. They can be switched from a defensive stance to attacking pose at any time during the game.
*Defensive midfield- the purpose of this role is to get the ball from the attackers on the opposing team
*Attack midfield- these players must try to open avenues for their team to score goals
Strikers or Attackers or Forward
These team members are located close to the opposing team’s goal. They are the ones who score goals. Another role they play is to try and help others on their team score a goal. Most familiar soccer players are found in this position because they score the most goals.
Written By: Gavin Sanderson
