What Are Football Positions? A Complete Guide for Fans

What Are Football Positions? What Are the 11 Positions in Football? Understanding what are football positions is essential for players, coaches, and fans who want to grasp the fundamentals of the game. Football positions define each player’s role on the pitch, influencing tactics, team structure, and gameplay. Whether you’re exploring football positions and roles, curious about football position names, or preparing for UK football trials, this guide provides a comprehensive overview of football positions and their significance.

What Are the 11 Positions in Football?

A standard football team has 11 players on the pitch, each assigned a specific position that serves a strategic purpose in the game. The main positions are often categorized into defenders, midfielders, forwards, and the goalkeeper. The core 11 positions include:

Goalkeeper (GK)
Right Full-Back / Right Back (RB)
Left Full-Back / Left Back (LB)
Central Defender / Center Back (CB)
Central Midfielder (CM)
Defensive Midfielder (DM)
Attacking Midfielder (AM)
Right Winger (RW)
Left Winger (LW)
Striker / Center Forward (ST)
Number 10 / Playmaker (usually an attacking midfielder)

These positions form the basic structure used in most formations and tactical setups.

Football Positions and Roles

Each football position carries specific roles that contribute to the overall team strategy:

Goalkeeper: Last line of defense, responsible for shot-stopping, commanding the penalty area, and distributing the ball.
Defenders (RB, LB, CB): Protect the goal by blocking opponents’ attacks, tackling, and clearing danger.
Midfielders (CM, DM, AM): Control the game, distribute passes, support both attack and defense, and dictate play tempo.
Wingers (RW, LW): Provide width, crossing opportunities, and cutting inside to create scoring chances.
Forwards (ST, Number 10): Focus on scoring goals, creating offensive opportunities, and pressing the opposition’s defenders.

Understanding these roles helps players identify where they might excel and find the best fit in a team.

Football Position Names

Football positions are often referred to by their names, which describe their specific duties:

Goalkeeper
Right Back / Full-Back
Left Back / Full-Back
Center Back / Center Half
Central Midfielder / Box-to-Box Midfielder
Defensive Midfielder / Holding Midfielder
Attacking Midfielder / Playmaker
Winger (Right or Left Winger)
Striker / Center Forward
Second Striker / SS (in PES and tactical setups)
Libero / Sweeper (less common today)

Familiarity with football position names improves communication and understanding on and off the pitch.

What Numbers Are Football Positions?

Traditionally, football positions are associated with specific numbers which help identify roles during a match:

Number	Position	Typical Role
1	Goalkeeper	Goalkeeper
2	Right Back	Right full-back
3	Left Back	Left full-back
4	Center Back / Defender	Central defender, often the captain
5	Center Back / Defender	Central defender
6	Defensive Midfielder / CB	Deep-lying midfielder / defender
7	Right Winger / Forward	Attacking winger
8	Central Midfielder	Box-to-box midfielder
9	Striker / Forward	Main goal scorer
10	Attacking Midfielder / Playmaker	Creative, play-making role
11	Left Winger	Wide attacking role

These numbers are traditional but can vary with modern squad numbering.

What is the Number 6 Position in Football?

The Number 6 position is primarily a defensive midfielder. This player operates just in front of the defenders, breaking up opposition attacks, intercepting passes, and distributing the ball to initiate attacks. The Number 6 is often viewed as the team’s anchor and plays a vital football position for maintaining defensive stability.

Number 6 in football — The number 6 position generally potects the defense and makes key tackles

What Football Position Should I Play?

Deciding what football position I should play depends on your strengths, skills, and preferred style. Consider these factors:

If you are good at shot-stopping and organizing the defense, goalkeeper or defender might suit you.
If you love creating chances and dribbling, attacking midfielder or winger could be your ideal role.
For players with stamina and physicality, defensive midfielder or box-to-box midfielder are great options.
Aspiring goal scorers often gravitate toward striker or number 10 roles.

Attending UK football trials and district football trials can help you discover your best position through live exposure and coaching assessments.

SS Position in Football PES

In video games like Pro Evolution Soccer (PES), the SS (Second Striker) is a versatile offensive role. The SS supports the main striker by creating scoring opportunities, dropping deep to link play, or cutting inside to shoot. This role is similar to a support striker or number 10, combining creativity and goal-scoring potential.

In conclusion, understanding what are football positions and their roles is vital whether you’re preparing for UK football trials, deciding what position to play, or simply expanding your football knowledge. Mastering the football position names and knowing your ideal role on the pitch will help maximise your potential and make you a valuable team player!