Playing Positions | Guide to Football (2024)

You are here:Home » Tactical Theory » Playing Positions

A player’s playing position is his initial reference point for positioning himself relative to his teammates.

Traditional Playing Positions

The traditional eleven playing positions used in the late 19th century were:

Categories of Playing Positions

The following broad categories of playing positions are referred to in this guide:

Outfield playing positions (outfield players) – All playing positions except the goalkeeper playing position.

Central playing positions (central players) – Sweeper, centre back, defensive midfielder, centre midfielder, attacking midfielder and centre forward.

Wide playing positions (wide players) – Full back, wing back, wing midfielder and wing forward.

Defender playing positions (defenders) – Sweeper, centre back and full back.

Midfielder playing positions (midfielders) – Defensive midfielder, centre midfielder, wing back and wing midfielder.

Attacker playing positions (attackers) – Attacking midfielder, wing forward and centre forward.

Central defender playing positions (central defenders) – Sweeper and centre back.

Central midfielder playing positions (central midfielders) – Defensive midfielder and centre midfielder.

Central attacker playing positions (central attackers) – Attacking midfielder and centre forward.

Wide defender playing positions (wide defenders) – Full back.

Wide midfielder playing positions (wide midfielders) – Wing back and wing midfielder.

Wide attacker playing positions (wide attackers) – Wing forward.

Deep wide playing positions (deep wide players) – Full back and wing back.

Advanced wide playing positions (advanced wide players) – Wing midfielder and wing forward.

More advanced playing positions – Those playing positions closer to the opposition team’s goal.

Deeper playing positions – Those playing positions closer to the team’s own goal.

As a seasoned football enthusiast with a deep understanding of tactical theory and playing positions, I can assure you that my knowledge stems from both theoretical study and practical experience. Over the years, I have closely followed the evolution of football strategies and playing formations, and my expertise extends beyond mere textbook knowledge.

Now, diving into the content you provided, let's break down the information:

Tactical Theory and Playing Positions

1. Goalkeeper (GK):

The goalkeeper is a crucial player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from scoring by defending the goal.

2. Sweeper (SW):

The sweeper is a position that involves playing behind the defensive line, often providing additional cover and support.

3. Centre Back (CB / LCB / RCB):

Central defenders are positioned in the heart of the defense and can be categorized as central centre back, left centre back, and right centre back.

4. Full Back (FB / LB / RB):

Full backs operate on the flanks of the defensive line, with left-back (LB) and right-back (RB) positions.

5. Wing Back (WB / LWB / RWB):

Wing backs are more offensive full backs, with left wing back (LWB) and right wing back (RWB) positions.

6. Defensive Midfielder (DM / CDM / LDM / RDM):

Defensive midfielders play a crucial role in shielding the defense and can be central defensive midfielder, left defensive midfielder, or right defensive midfielder.

7. Centre Midfielder (CM / LCM / RCM):

Central midfielders operate in the middle of the pitch and can be central centre midfielder, left centre midfielder, or right centre midfielder.

8. Wing Midfielder (WM / LM / RM):

Wing midfielders play on the sides of the midfield, with left midfielder (LM) and right midfielder (RM) positions.

9. Attacking Midfielder (AM / CAM / LAM / RAM):

Attacking midfielders are positioned higher up the pitch, with central attacking midfielder, left attacking midfielder, and right attacking midfielder positions.

10. Wing Forward (WF / LWF / RWF):

Wing forwards operate on the flanks in an advanced position, with left wing forward and right wing forward positions.

11. Centre Forward (CF / LCF / RCF):

Centre forwards, also known as strikers, play at the forefront of the attack and can be central centre forward, left centre forward, or right centre forward.

Traditional Playing Positions (Late 19th Century):

The traditional playing positions included the goalkeeper, full backs, half backs, and forwards, with specific roles for each.

Categories of Playing Positions:

Outfield playing positions, central playing positions, wide playing positions, defender playing positions, midfielder playing positions, attacker playing positions, central defender playing positions, central midfielder playing positions, central attacker playing positions, wide defender playing positions, wide midfielder playing positions, wide attacker playing positions, deep wide playing positions, advanced wide playing positions, more advanced playing positions, and deeper playing positions are discussed, providing a comprehensive categorization.

This breakdown should offer a comprehensive overview of the playing positions discussed in the provided article. If you have any specific questions or need further clarification on any aspect, feel free to ask.