Football consists of three main important positions – forwards, midfielders, and defenders – that are manned by specialists of both teams playing each other. These positions are allocated to players who possess skills and techniques in guarding these respective positions. 

In this piece, we explain all three positions in detail.

Forwards

Players who are positioned as forwards are responsible for scoring goals. Forwards are also positioned in different positions on the football field that have been explained below:

Striker: The striker is responsible for scoring goals by netting the ball in the opposition team’s net. His/her fellow strikers or midfielders create scoring chances by building attacks from the midfield and passing them to the striker for scoring goals. The striker is positioned in between, where he charges the opposition’s half to score goals in open play.

Right/Left Winger: Wingers are positioned as right or left wingers from where they build attacks and execute passes by creating scoring opportunities while dribbling the ball. Wingers are positioned wide, and they operate between midfield and defence. A winger can also be a skilful goal scorer.

Midfielders

Midfielders form the core of any strong footballing unit. They are responsible for creating goal-scoring opportunities during the run of play or set-piece situations. 

Midfielders need to be technically strong offensively as well as defensively. Midfielders are the busiest lot in a football team. Midfielders are positioned differently, which are mentioned below:

Central Midfielder: The role of a central midfielder is to keep the ball in play through possession-based play and accurate passing so as to generate attacks and scoring chances. Central midfielders should be skilful in executing long-range passes inside the box by opening up the opposition’s defence.

Defensive Midfielder: A defensive midfielder is placed just in front of the centre-back. A defensive midfielder is responsible for winning the ball from the opposition’s forward line and passing it quickly to the central midfielder or the forward line without giving any chance to the opposition’s forward line to generate attacks. A defensive midfielder is responsible for thwarting any attacking runs through quick interceptions and tackles.

Right/Left Winger: Midfielders who operate at the wings are responsible for building up play with the defensive line and linking up with the forward line with efficiency to create scoring opportunities. Midfielders operate behind the forwards in modern-day football to execute short or long aerial passes depending on the situation of a game.

Defenders

Defenders need to be strong offensively as well as defensively when it comes to showing solidity to thwart the attacks of the opposition. A defender needs to be strong at intercepting attacks and tackles. 

Defenders are divided into two main positions, which are explained below:

Centre Back: A centre-back guards the defensive line from the middle of the pitch. A centre-back needs to be spot-on with his combative tackles to cut out any attack that is built by the opposition midfielders. In modern-day football, two defenders operate side by side, which are named sweeper and stopper as they are aligned vertically.

Full Back (Right/Left Back): These defenders are placed on the right and left sides of the pitch. They play a big role in assisting the centre-backs in case of any attacking run from the opposition’s half. These defenders are also responsible for sending long passes through the sides and building up play offensively.

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