Victorville,CA - Youth Soccer League: My Site News

Spring Season 2012

With two weeks left, we reflect back on our children's development and excitement for this awesome sport called Soccer! We are leaving behind all these wonderful memories as we get ready to create new ones. Hope you are all ready as Fall Season is just around the corner!!!

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What position am I playing?

Knowing each of the soccer positions and the skill behind each position is important when learning (or teaching) the game of soccer. Each soccer position requires a special player with a special skill set, speed, or knowledge of the game. So many young players immediately want the soccer position of forward or striker. Knowing what soccer position is right for you or your team will help your team be more successful. Just because you are not a forward doesn't mean you won't be a successful soccer player. Take it upon yourself to learn many different soccer positions and learn to become a well rounded soccer player. 

Basic Soccer Position Terms

Defender / Backs / Fullback – A player who works mainly in the defensive third of the field. They are primarily focused on stopping the opposition’s attackers from scoring.

Forward – A player who is responsible for most of a team's scoring. They play in front of the rest of their team (or in the attaching third of the field) where they can take most of the shots.

Goalie / Keeper / Goalkeeper – I bet you know this one. The player positioned directly in front of the goal who tries to prevent shots from crossing the goal line; the only player allowed using their hands and arms, though only within the 18-yard penalty area.

Midfielder / Halfback – A player generally positioned in the middle third of the field between the forwards and defenders. Their job is to link the defense and the offense through ball control and passing. They play both an attacking role and a defensive role.

Striker – Generally the same as a forward, though it sometimes refers to a forward that is his team’s primary scoring threat.

Sweeper – Not always used. In some formations, a single defender that plays closest to their own goal behind the rest of the defenders; a team's last line of defense in front of the goalkeeper.  

Advanced Soccer Positions

Attacking Midfielder – The midfielder that plays right behind the forwards; they support the offense by providing passes to forwards to set up goals.

Center Defender – A player who guards the area directly in front of their own goal, often considered the strongest defender.

Center Forward – A team's best-scoring forward who plays towards the center of the field.

Center Midfielder / Midfield Maestro / Midfield General – The midfielder most responsible for organizing play in the midfield area, creating scoring opportunities for the attackers, and often a team's leader.

Defensive Midfielder / Midfield Anchor – The player positioned just in front of their team's defense and often assigned to mark the opposition's best offensive player; tends to play more defense as a midfielder.

Finisher – A forward or striker who has the ability to "put away" or score when opportunities are given to them.

Stopper – The player that defends or guards the best scorer on the attacking team, often the opposition's striker.

Wingers – The outside forwards and midfielders (often the fastest players and best dribblers) who play on the sides of the field. Their primary task is to provide them with accurate crossing passes so they can shoot at the goal.

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