Coach / Guides / Positions

Positions

What each position does with the ball and without it, drawn in a 4-3-3. Young players should try them all. The best players understand every role on the pitch.

GK

Shaded: where a goalkeeper spends most of the game. Attacking left to right.

Goalkeeper

With the ball

  • The first attacker. Pass short to a free defender before you think about kicking long.
  • Stand ready to receive a back-pass, side-on, so you can play either way.

Without it

  • Organise the players in front of you. You can see everything, so talk.
  • Starting position moves with the ball: further off your line when the ball is far away.
  • Set your feet as the shooter strikes, and stay big in a 1v1.

Key skillsHandling · Footwork · Passing with both feet · Communication

There are no goalkeepers in 3v3. From 5v5, let everyone who wants a turn in goal have one, and swap at half-time.

Practise itGoalkeeper handling, Shoot and save, Playing out from the goalkeeper

CBCB

Shaded: where a centre-back spends most of the game. Attacking left to right.

Centre-back

With the ball

  • Split wide when the keeper has the ball, so there is an easy pass.
  • Dribble forward into space if no one comes to you. It pulls an opponent out and frees a teammate.

Without it

  • Protect the middle of your goal first.
  • One goes to the ball, the other covers behind at an angle.
  • Keep talking to the full-backs, so the line moves together.

Key skillsDefending 1v1 · Passing long and short · Reading the game · Heading (from under-12)

Under 12, deliberate heading is out of matches, so a young centre-back wins the ball with their feet and their position.

Practise it2v2: pressure and cover, Defend the gate, Playing out from the goalkeeper

LBRB

Shaded: where a full-back spends most of the game. Attacking left to right.

Full-back

With the ball

  • Get wide and high to give a passing option down the side.
  • Overlap the winger when they cut inside.

Without it

  • Stop the cross. Show the winger down the line rather than inside to the goal.
  • When the ball is on the other side, tuck in to help the centre-backs.

Key skillsJockeying · Running with the ball · Crossing · Recovery runs

Young full-backs often stay too far back. Encourage them to join in the attack, and to sprint back after.

Practise itLow crosses and cut-backs, 1v1 to the gates, Switch it

DMCMCM

Shaded: where a central midfield spends most of the game. Attacking left to right.

Central midfield

With the ball

  • Always be available. Move into the space between opponents so a teammate can find you.
  • Check your shoulder before the ball arrives, then receive on the half-turn.
  • Switch the play when one side gets crowded.

Without it

  • Stay between the ball and your goal.
  • Block passes through the middle, then press when the ball goes in.

Key skillsScanning · Receiving on the half-turn · Passing range · Pressing

Small-sided games give every player midfield experience. Rotate who plays in the middle.

Practise itReceive on the half-turn, Rondo: 4 against 1, 4v4 with three floaters

LWRW

Shaded: where a winger spends most of the game. Attacking left to right.

Winger

With the ball

  • Stay wide to stretch the other team, even when the ball is on the other side.
  • Take on your full-back 1v1. Go outside to cross, or inside to shoot.
  • Arrive at the back post when the ball is crossed from the other wing.

Without it

  • Track back with the opposing full-back.
  • Press their full-back so they cannot play forward.

Key skillsDribbling at speed · Beating a player · Crossing and cut-backs · Finishing

Wide players learn to be brave 1v1. Praise the attempt, even when they lose the ball.

Practise it1v1 to the line, Low crosses and cut-backs, Switch it

ST

Shaded: where a striker spends most of the game. Attacking left to right.

Striker

With the ball

  • Run behind the defence, or drop short to link play. Doing both keeps defenders guessing.
  • Hold the ball up with your back to goal, then lay it off or turn.
  • Be in the box when the ball comes in: near post, far post or the penalty spot.

Without it

  • You are the first defender. Curve your run to press the ball and cut off one pass.
  • Make their goalkeeper and centre-backs play quickly.

Key skillsFinishing with both feet · Movement · Hold-up play · Turning

Under-11s and younger play without offside, so a young striker learns movement and timing, not just waiting by the goal.

Practise itFirst-time finishing, Receive, turn and shoot, 1v1 with the goalkeeper

For shapes in every format from 3v3 to 11v11, see formations. Each position also has a full guide for players, with match moments and how tactics change the job: positions for players. To set roles and tactics for your own team, use the team builder.