Soccer Tips, Tricks, and Talk

The first and most basic topic to cover is that of positions.

One Goalkeeper
The Goalie’s job is to defend his team’s goal. You can identify the Goalie because he wears a different colored shirt or a vest over his shirt. When in the “Penalty Box” he can pick up the ball, but if he comes out of the Penalty Box he cannot use his hands.

Fullbacks
Fullbacks play closest to their goal. Along with the Goalie, they have the primary job of stopping the opponents from scoring. However, to a degree, every player should be a “defender” when the opponent has the ball

Midfielders
The Midfielders play between the Fullbacks and the Forwards. They are often in the “Middle Third” of the field. There can be “Offensive Midfielders” who play closer to the Forwards and “Defensive Midfielders” who play closer to the Fullbacks.

Forwards
Forwards play closer to the opponent’s goal, which is the goal guarded by the opposing Goalie. The Forwards are the primary scorers.

There are also 2 special positions that some, but not all, teams use; a “Sweeper” and a “Stopper”.
A Sweeper will play behind the Fullbacks and a Stopper will play between the Fullbacks and the Midfielders. These positions add additional layers of defenders and give you defensive strength in the Center of the field.