Football Positions Explained for New Players
If you're new to football, understanding player positions is the fastest way to improve as a team and as an individual. Here's everything you need to know.
Understanding positions is the quickest way to stop chasing the ball as a group and start playing as a team. This guide covers what each role does in the full 11-a-side game, and how it works in the 5-a-side and 7-a-side games most people play in Bangalore.
The four lines
Every team, whatever the formation, is built from four groups:
- ✓Goalkeeper — the last line, the only player allowed to use hands (inside the box)
- ✓Defenders — stop the opposition scoring and start attacks from the back
- ✓Midfielders — link defence and attack, control possession and tempo
- ✓Forwards — create and score goals, press the opposition's defenders
Defenders
- ✓Centre-backs — strong in the air and in tackles, stay central, rarely leave their half
- ✓Full-backs — defend the wide areas and overlap to support attacks
- ✓Wing-backs — full-backs in a back three; they cover the whole flank, so need real stamina
Midfielders
- ✓Defensive midfielder (the 'six') — shields the back line, breaks up play, keeps possession simple
- ✓Central midfielder (the 'eight') — box-to-box; defends, carries the ball forward, arrives in the area
- ✓Attacking midfielder (the 'ten') — plays between the lines, the main creator
- ✓Wide midfielders / wingers — hug the touchline, beat full-backs, deliver crosses or cut inside to shoot
Forwards
- ✓Striker (the 'nine') — the main goal threat; movement in the box and finishing are everything
- ✓Second striker — drops a little deeper to link play and arrive late
- ✓Inside forwards — wingers who drift central to score rather than cross
Positions in 5-a-side and 7-a-side
The same jobs exist, just fewer players doing them.
- ✓5-a-side (1 keeper + 4) — usually a diamond (1 defender, 2 wide, 1 forward) or a flat 2-2; everyone attacks and defends
- ✓7-a-side (1 keeper + 6) — commonly 2-3-1 or 3-2-1; you get a recognisable defence, midfield and attack
- ✓In both, holding your position matters more than in 11-a-side — if one player leaves their spot, the whole shape breaks
💡 Small-sided tip
In 5s and 7s, the single biggest improvement is having one player hold their position while the others rotate. Pick a 'stay' player each game.
How to pick your position
- ✓Fast and like running in behind the defence? Winger or striker
- ✓Good stamina, clean passing, like being in the game all the time? Central midfield
- ✓Calm under pressure, strong in the air, read the game early? Centre-back
- ✓Brave, good with your feet, happy to talk? Goalkeeper — a good way to be involved for the whole game
Practise it on the turf
The quickest way to learn positions is to play small-sided games and take turns in each role. Play Matrix in Padmanabhanagar has 5-a-side, 7-a-side and 9-a-side on a full-size floodlit turf, open every day from 5:00 AM to 10:30 PM. WhatsApp your group's preferred slot to book.
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Open every day, 5:00 AM – 10:30 PM. Padmanabhanagar, South Bangalore.
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Coaches and sports enthusiasts at Padmanabhanagar, South Bangalore. Updated: December 2025.