Positions and Formations
Before we try to explain the positions, we need to understand the field and the term people used to describe the filed. Following are some terms that we will use to help explain positions. These terms refer to parts of the field:
Attacking Third - The Attacking Third is the third of the field that is closest to the opponent's goal (i.e., the goal the opposing Goalie defends). When our team attacks, we hope our Forwards and possibly our Midfielders get the ball into the Attacking Third. When our opponent is attacking our goal, we will probably not have any players in the Attacking Third, since our Midfielders will probably have dropped back near our "Penalty Area" line to help defend and our Forwards will have dropped back to the “Middle Third” so they are in position to win "cleared" balls from our defence. (This "shifting and sagging" with the ball is very important so we have "support" on offense and defense).
Middle Third - The Middle Third is the third of the field that includes the "Halfway Line" and the "Center Circle". When we attack, if our Defenders "Push Up" they will come up into the Middle Third. When our opponent is attacking our goal, our Forwards may come back into the Middle Third to the Halfway Line or even to the inside of the Center Circle so they are in position to win "cleared balls".
Defensive Third - The Defensive Third is the third of the field that includes our goal (our goal is the one our Goalie defends). our Defenders will spend most of their time in the Defensive Third unless we have a good team and our Defenders "Push Up" when we attack. our Midfielders will probably drop back into our Defensive Third to help out when our goal is under attack, but our Forwards should not come into our Defensive Third, because if they do there won't be anyone in position to win the ball when our Defenders or Midfielders "Clear" the ball.
Depends on age and league, the number of players who play on the field can range from 5 per team for short sided game to a maximum of 11 per team for regular game. Even there is exception, basic positions for a soccer team are described as below:
Goalkeeper: There is always just one Goalkeeper per team. The Goalie's job is to defend his team's goal and he usually stays close to his goal. You can identify the Goalie because he wears a distinct colored jersey from all other players. The Goalie is the only player who can legally use his hands as long as he is in the “Penalty Area”.
Defenders/Fullbacks : Usually stay in the “Defensive Third” Defenders or Fullbacks support closely to their goalkeeper. Along with the Goalie, their primary job is to stop the opposing team from scoring. However, all players convert to “Defenders” the moment opposing team get the control of the ball.
Midfielders: The Midfielders play between the Defenders and the Forwards. They are often in the "Middle Third" of the field. There can be "Offensive Midfielders" who play closer to the Forwards and "Defensive Midfielders" who play closer to the Defenders.
Forwards: Forwards play closer to the opponent's goal in the Attacking Third, which is the goal guarded by the opposing Goalie. The Forwards are the primary scorers, although all positions would occasionally score.
Some teams may also have 2 special positions: a "Sweeper" and a "Stopper". A Sweeper will play behind the Defenders and usually is one of the quickest players in the team. Sweeper will mark any opposing players that control the ball near the goal. A Stopper will play between the Defenders and the Midfielders and usually will mark the best forward of opposing team even if that player does not control the ball. These positions add additional defensive players and give you more strength in the Center of the field.
Formations: Depends on how many players you have at Defender, Midfielder and Forward positions, people will use a sequence of numbers to represent it as formation. The purpose of having a "formation" is to ensure desired "support", "depth", "width" and field coverage on both offense and defense based on the players ability/speed/endurance of both teams. Players are assigned a position and with it comes responsibilities. For example, a right side player should not be way over on the left side of the field. (Right and left are as you face the other team's goal). If he is, then he has left a hole that is not covered. Each player must do his job and trust his teammates to do theirs; that is what makes a good "team". There are many different formations such as 4-4-2, a 4-3-3, or a 1-3-3-3 formation. These numbers never include the goalkeeper but always start with the player closest to the goalkeeper. Thus, a 4-4-2 would be 4 Defenders, 4 Midfielders and 2 Forwards, a 1-3-3-3 would be a "Sweeper", 3 Defenders, 3 Midfielders and 3 Forwards, a 3-1-3-3 would be 3 Defenders , a "Stopper", 3 Midfielders and 3 Forwards, and a 3-2-2-3 would be 3 Defenders, 2 defensive Midfielders, 2 offensive Midfielders and 3 Forwards. Usually, the player in the center position is the captain of that line and will instruct the wing players when necessary and communicate with teammates behind their line.