Universal rules football (Outdoor) Positions:
Forwards (Red):
- Center Forward (CF): A center forward (main striker) has the key task of scoring goals and for this reason acts as the focal point of the majority of attacking play by a team. As such, how well a striker is performing tends to be measured purely on goals scored despite the fact that they may be contributing in other ways to a team's success. A traditional center forward was required to be tall in height and strong physically in order to be able to win the ball in the area from crosses and attempt to score with either their feet or head, or to knock the ball down for a teammate to score. Whilst these assets are still an advantage, in the modern game speed and movement are also required as there is more interplay when attacking.
- Left/Right Winger (LW/RW): A winger (left winger and right winger) (historically called outside-left and outside-right, or outside forward) is an attacking player who is stationed in a wide position near the touchlines. They can be classified as forwards, considering their origin as the old outside forward who played out on the "wing" (i.e. side of the pitch). They continue to be termed as such in many parts of the world, especially in Latin and Dutch footballing cultures. A winger's main attribute is usually speed which is used to attack and dribble past opponent's full-backs in order to get behind the defense and to then deliver crosses and passes into the center for their attackers. Occasionally left and right footed wingers may swap sides of the field as a tactical move to enable the winger to cut inside against the opposing full-backs weaker foot, looking for a shooting opportunity or just as a means of opening up the defense.
- Center Midfielder (CM): Central midfielders provide a link between defense and attack, fulfilling a number of duties and operating primarily in the middle third of the pitch (especially contesting ball-ups) . They will support their team's attacking play and endeavour to win the ball back on defense. A central midfielder is often an important initiatior of attacks and can be sometimes described as a "playmaker." They will also offer an additional line of defense when the team is under sustained attack and when defending set pieces. Central midfielders are always busy in a game and are often therefore sometimes described as the engine room of the team. Their central position enables them to have an all-round view of the match. Since most of the action takes place in and around their area of the pitch, midfielders often exert the greatest degree of control over how a match is played. It is often said that a match is won or lost in midfield, meaning that whichever team dominates the middle area of the pitch is able to dictate the game. A central midfielder is expected to have good vision, be adept at long and short passing and have great stamina because of the ground they cover in a game. They also need to be good at tackling to win the ball back.
- Left/Right Midfielder (LM/RM): A wide midfielder (left midfield and right midfield, or generally side midfielder) (historically called left-half and right-half, or wing-half) is a midfielder who is stationed to the left or right of central midfield. Though they are often referred to as wingers, not all players in these positions are stereotypical speedy, touchline hugging players. With the advent of the modern game the traditional outside forwards known as "wingers" were pushed back to wide midfield, though still commonly referred to as wingers. As the game has developed further, some tactical formations (for example, 4–3–3) have used central midfielders deployed in a wider position to provide width, more defensive protection along the flanks and to help compress play in the opponents half. They will still support attacking play and sometimes be expected to act as a semi-winger.
- The Centerback (or Sweeper; CB/S): The job of the center-back is to stop opposing players from scoring, and to bring the ball out from their penalty area. There are two main defensive strategies used by center-backs: the zonal defense, where each center-back covers a specific area of the pitch, and man-to-man marking, where each center-back has the job of covering a particular opposition player.
Center-backs are often tall, strong and have a good jumping, heading and tackling ability. Successful center-backs also need to be able to concentrate, read the game well, and be brave and decisive in making last-ditch tackles on attacking players who might otherwise be through on goal. Sometimes, center-backs concentrate less on ball control and passing, preferring simply to clear the ball in a "safety-first" fashion.
Center-backs will usually go forward for set piece corners and free-kicks, where their height and jumping ability give them an aerial goal threat, while defensive duties are covered by the full-backs. Once the set piece is complete, they will retreat to their own half.
The sweeper is a more versatile type of center-back that, as the name suggests, "sweeps up" the ball if the opponent manages to breach the defensive line. Their position is rather more fluid than other defenders who mark their designated opponents. The sweeper's ability to read the game is even more vital than for a center-back.With the advent of the modern offside rule came the need to hold more of a defensive line to catch opposing players offside. Use of a sweeper role became less popular as the last man can play an attacking opponent onside, which could in the case of the sweeper be behind the main defense. - Left/Right Fullback (FB): The left-back and the right-back (generally referred to as the full-backs) are the defenders stationed either side of the centerback to provide protection from attacking wide players. They often have to defend against the opponent's wingers, who will try to take the ball past them down the flanks in order to cross or pass into the penalty area to their attackers. Full-backs traditionally do not go up to support the attack but may move up as far as the halfway line depending on the defensive line being held.
- Goalkeeper (GK): The goalkeeper is the most defensive position in football. The goalkeeper's main job is to stop the other team from scoring by catching, palming or punching the ball from shots, headers and crosses. Unlike their teammates, goalkeepers typically remain in and around their own penalty area for most of the game. As a result, goalkeepers have a better view of the pitch and often give advice to their defense when the other team is on the attack or during set pieces. Positioning is another important job and is one of the hardest to master as keeper. Goalkeepers must also wear a different colored kit from the outfielders and officials.
UNIVERSAL RULES FOOTBALL (InDOOR) POSITIONS:
Forwards (Red):
- Left/Right Winger: A winger (left winger and right winger) (historically called outside-left and outside-right, or outside forward) is an attacking player who is stationed in a wide position near the touchlines. They can be classified as forwards, considering their origin as the old outside forward who played out on the "wing" (i.e. side of the pitch). They continue to be termed as such in many parts of the world, especially in Latin and Dutch footballing cultures. A winger's main attribute is usually speed which is used to attack and dribble past opponent's full-backs in order to get behind the defense and to then deliver crosses and passes into the center for their attackers. Occasionally left and right footed wingers may swap sides of the field as a tactical move to enable the winger to cut inside against the opposing full-backs weaker foot, looking for a shooting opportunity or just as a means of opening up the defense.
- Ranger: Rangers provide a link between defense and attack, fulfilling a number of duties and operating primarily in the middle third of the pitch. They will support their team's attacking play and endeavour to win the ball back on defense. The ranger is often an important initiatior of attacks and can be sometimes described as a "playmaker." They will also offer an additional line of defense when the team is under sustained attack and when defending set pieces. Rangers are always busy in a game and are often therefore sometimes described as the engine room of the team.
Their central position enables them to have an all-round view of the match. Since most of the action takes place in and around their area of the pitch, midfielders often exert the greatest degree of control over how a match is played. It is often said that a match is won or lost in midfield, meaning that whichever team dominates the middle area of the pitch is able to dictate the game. A ranger is expected to have good vision, be adept at long and short passing and have great stamina because of the ground they cover in a game.
- Left/Right Fullback: The left-back and the right-back (generally referred to as the full-backs) are the defenders stationed either side of the centerback to provide protection from attacking wide players. They often have to defend against the opponent's wingers, who will try to take the ball past them down the flanks in order to cross or pass into the penalty area to their attackers. Full-backs traditionally do not go up to support the attack but may move up as far as the halfway line depending on the defensive line being held.
- Goalkeeper(Gray): The goalkeeper is the most defensive position in football. The goalkeeper's main job is to stop the other team from scoring by catching, palming or punching the ball from shots, headers and crosses. Unlike their teammates, goalkeepers typically remain in and around their own penalty area for most of the game. As a result, goalkeepers have a better view of the pitch and often give advice to their defense when the other team is on the attack or during set pieces. Positioning is another important job and is one of the hardest to master as keeper. Goalkeepers must also wear a different colored kit from the outfielders and officials.