Basic Positions - East Brunswick Soccer Club

Basic Positions

Goalkeeper (Goalie) - Each team has one goalkeeper. The goalkeeper stays in the goal and tries to block all shots on goal. The goalkeeper is the only player who can touch the ball with his hands. There are a few limitations on all this handtouching: first, a goalie cannot use his hands outside of an area called the penalty box, which is a box 18 yards deep affixed to his goal line; second, the goalie cannot use his hands if the ball is passed to him intentionally by a teammate.
Defenders (Fullbacks) - In front of the goalkeeper is a row of players who are defenders. On the left and right are the left full back and right full back, and between them is a center full back. The defenders stay in the back third of the field closest to their own goal. The defenders job is to stop all attempts by the other team to score and get the ball forward to the midfielders or forwards.
Midfielders (Halfbacks) - In front of the defense is the midfield, which are the players who operate in the middle of the field between defenders and forwards. These positions are called left-half, center-half, and right-half. These players are responsible for defending when needed, and for winning the ball in the many skirmishes that occur in the middle of the field. When the ball falls into their team's possession, midfielders are responsible for orchestrating the attack by passing amongst themselves and ultimately giving the ball to forwards who may be well-positioned to score.
Forwards (Wings, Strikers) - The front line consists of forwards or attackers. On the sides are the left-wing and right-wing, and in the center are the center-forwards or strikers. These players are known for their speed and ability to score goals. The wingers are often used to cross the ball with accuracy into the middle of the field where the strikers should be positioned to take a shot at the goal. Forwards play in the front half of the field, closest to the opponents goal.