Soccer Guides / Positions and tactics
Positions: midfielders and forwards
Holding midfielders, box-to-box runners, playmakers, wingers and strikers explained, with what coaches look for in each role.
The midfield: where matches are controlled
Midfielders connect defense and attack. Coaches often describe them by traditional shirt numbers, even when the players wear different numbers.
Defensive midfielder (the "6")
Sits in front of the center-backs. Breaks up attacks, screens passes into the striker and recycles possession with simple passes. Also called a holding midfielder or anchor. A deep-lying playmaker, sometimes called a "regista", is a variation who dictates the tempo with long and short passing from this deep position.
Central midfielder (the "8")
The box-to-box midfielder covers ground at both ends: tracking runners, arriving late in the penalty area and pressing. In possession-based teams the 8 often plays in the "half-spaces", the channels between the center and the wings.
Attacking midfielder (the "10")
The playmaker behind the strikers. Finds pockets of space between the opponent's midfield and defense, plays killer passes and scores from distance. Many modern systems spread these duties between two "8s" or wide forwards instead of one classic 10.
Wide midfielder
In a 4-4-2, the wide midfielders run the flanks, defend with the fullbacks and supply crosses.
The attack: where goals come from
Winger
Wingers stretch the field and beat defenders one-on-one. A winger on their natural side (right-footed on the right) tends to go outside and cross. An "inverted winger" (left-footed on the right) cuts inside to shoot or combine.
Striker (center-forward, the "9")
Strikers lead the line. Types include:
- Target forward: strong in the air, holds the ball up for teammates.
- Poacher: lives in the penalty area and finishes chances.
- Complete forward: combines finishing, link play and movement.
- False nine: starts as a striker but drops deep into midfield, pulling center-backs out of position and creating space for runners.
Second striker
Plays just behind or alongside the main striker, mixing creative and scoring duties.
Role comparison
| Role | Primary job | Key attributes |
|---|---|---|
| Defensive midfielder | Protect the defense | Positioning, tackling, simple passing |
| Box-to-box midfielder | Cover both boxes | Stamina, timing of runs, pressing |
| Attacking midfielder | Create chances | Vision, close control, final pass |
| Winger | Beat defenders, supply crosses or shots | Speed, dribbling, crossing |
| Striker | Score goals | Finishing, movement, strength |
How positions shift during a match
Positions are starting points, not fixed spots. In possession, a fullback may become a midfielder and a winger may become a striker. Out of possession, a forward may become the first defender in a press. That is why commentators talk about a team's "shape in possession" and "shape out of possession" separately.
Young players benefit from trying several positions before specializing. See our youth player tips.
