Football positions explained
What every position does, its traditional shirt number, and which positions you'll use in each grassroots format.
A football team has a goalkeeper, defenders, midfielders and forwards. The traditional numbers run 1 (goalkeeper) to 11 (left winger), with 9 for the striker and 10 for the playmaker.
Your assistant coach: who played where, for how long, all season.
| Position | No. | The job |
|---|---|---|
| GK Goalkeeper | 1 | Stops shots, organises the defence and starts attacks by passing or throwing out. |
| RB Right-back | 2 | Defends the right side and overlaps to attack down the wing. |
| LB Left-back | 3 | Defends the left side and overlaps to attack down the wing. |
| CB Centre-back | 4 / 5 | Defends the middle in front of goal, wins headers and tackles, and starts play from the back. |
| RCB Right centre-back | 4 / 6 | One of a back three: covers the right channel and steps out with the ball. |
| LCB Left centre-back | 5 / 6 | One of a back three: covers the left channel and steps out with the ball. |
| RWB Right wing-back | 2 | Gives width on the right in attack and drops into defence without the ball. |
| LWB Left wing-back | 3 | Gives width on the left in attack and drops into defence without the ball. |
| CM Central midfielder | 6 / 8 | Links defence and attack, passes and receives under pressure, and covers lots of ground. |
| RM Right midfielder | 7 | Provides width on the right, crosses and tracks back to help the right-back. |
| LM Left midfielder | 11 | Provides width on the left, crosses and tracks back to help the left-back. |
| CAM Attacking midfielder | 10 | Plays between the lines, creates chances and supports the striker. |
| RAM Right attacking midfielder | 7 | Creates from the right half-space and arrives in the box to score. |
| LAM Left attacking midfielder | 11 | Creates from the left half-space and arrives in the box to score. |
| RW Right winger | 7 | Beats defenders on the right, crosses and cuts inside to shoot. |
| LW Left winger | 11 | Beats defenders on the left, crosses and cuts inside to shoot. |
| ST Striker | 9 | Scores goals, holds the ball up and leads the press from the front. |
11v11 positions in a 4-3-3.
Positions by format
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Questions
What are the positions in football?
Every team has a goalkeeper, defenders (centre-backs and full-backs), midfielders (central, wide and attacking) and forwards (wingers and strikers). Small-sided formats use fewer of each.
What are the football position numbers?
Traditionally: 1 goalkeeper, 2 right-back, 3 left-back, 4 and 5 centre-backs, 6 defensive midfielder, 7 right winger, 8 central midfielder, 9 striker, 10 attacking midfielder and 11 left winger.
Should young players stick to one position?
No. Most coaching guidance recommends rotating children through every position, including goalkeeper, so they learn the whole game. Specialising can come later.