7v7 Soccer Positions Explained

In our rec league each team plays with 7 players on the field. The formation that we are using currently is a 2-1-2-1. This means that there are 2 backs (defenders), 1 midfielder, 2 wings and 1 forward (all in addition to the goalkeeper). We've briefly gone over the various positions and their roles in practice, but I thought I'd get something down in writing for them to review and maybe get a clearer picture of what these are.

The positions we use, and their roles:

Goalkeeper (GK)

The goalkeeper obviously is the last line of defense, and the only player that can use his hands (as long as he is in his own penalty area and the ball was not deliberately passed to him by a teammate). In addition to the last line of defense, he is first the person in the attack. That is why it is important to make safe, strong goal kicks and throws (rolls) to teammates to start the attack.

The goalkeeper should place himself 4-5 steps in front of the goal and always be on the "ball line". The ball line is an imaginary line from the center of the goal line to the ball. So as the ball is moved from side to side, the goalkeeper shifts with it, keeping himself between the ball and the center of the goal line. He should also try not to back up when under attack, but rather step into an attack to reduce shooting angles and intimidate shooters.

Defenders (LB, RB)

The defenders job is to keep the ball away from the goal, especially the mouth (front) of the goal. They must protect the goalkeeper, thinking of him as a VIP that the other team can not get near to. Defenders need to be quick and hard-working, and above all need to get back in position when the opposing attack comes.

Full Back (Left & Right)

The full backs are the the defenders on the side lanes, either left back (LB) or right back (RB). He is usually responsible for defending the opposing wing coming down his side, and should try to force them to the side out of bounds. The touch line (side line) is a defenders best friend and should be used whenever possible to pin attackers and force mistakes.

The full backs want to prevent attacks coming from the side and prevent wings from making passes to the center.

Midfielder (CM)

The midfielder is the bridge between offense and defense, they bring the ball up to the forwards in attack and prevent the ball from reaching the defenders when not in possession. Without a solid midfield, it is very difficult for the forwards to score and the defense is often put at risk of the opponents’ attacks.

A defending or holding midfielder (DM) is stationed just in front of the defensive line. His responsibility is to prevent the ball from reaching the defensive line. He must be skilled at intercepting passes, tackling the ball, and positioning themselves strategically.

A central midfielder (CM) is stationed at the center of the field. If he plays both offense and defense, he is called a box-to-box midfielder. The name implies that he runs from his own penalty box to the opponent’s to fulfill different roles.

A box-to-box midfielder does the following: create opportunities for the striker and stop the opponent’s attacks. Stamina, technical ability, and relentless hard-work are the attributes of this type of midfielder.

The attacking midfielder (AM) is an advanced midfield player who is primarily inclined to attack. He must have excellent ball control abilities and tactical awareness.

A playmaker occupies the same position as an attacking midfielder but performs a different role. This guy is considered the brain of the team, the most skilled player who orchestrates the attack and distributes the ball. A playmaker must be good in decision-making and as the football saying goes: when you don’t know what to do with the ball, you pass it to him.

We only use one midfielder in our formation, which we'll start as a central midfielder with an attack option as needed. However if we find ourselves under regular attack, we'll keep that position on the defensive side.

Wings (LW, RW)

The winger plays the same role as the attacking midfielder but he focuses his attacks from the side.

Since the winger often plays between the midfield and the offensive line, he is sometimes classified as a forward. A player who occupies this position must be fast, have excellent dribbling abilities, and be accurate with passes. A modern winger is typically flexible and can attack from the center, which makes him take over the role of a forward.

When we attack, the wings will come up their respective side. A wing with the ball should try to cross (aerial) or pass to center. The wing without the ball should come to his near post (far post from the ball) for a quick pass from center and put-in or rebound put-back.

It is important that the wings get back on defense to support the defenders as a passing outlet when the defense wins the ball back.

Forward (CF)

Forwards are the most celebrated players in the team because they are often the ones who score goals. Accuracy, head ability, and ball control are the typical qualities of a forward. A forward does not have to do as much work as the midfield or defense but he must be able to convert when his teammates give him the ball.

Center-forwards (CF) are positioned closest to the opponent’s goal. They have two roles: first, they score goals through passes from teammates; second, they distract the defense to give room for the attacking midfielder or winger to attack.

A striker must be brilliant at receiving and controlling the ball, must be strong, and capable of winning the ball in the air. Skills at playing with the back to the goal is a prerequisite.

Formations

Kickoff

This is the starting formation when we are taking the kick-off. The center-forward (CF) and center-midfielder (CM) are in the circle. The CF should tap to the CM who then passes back to one of the fullbacks who will come toward the middle.

The LB or RB then needs to quickly handle that pass and pass it up to either one of the wings or the CM, and the attack builds from there.

This formation depends on sharp passing and receiving, but it can give us many more opportunities than trying to dribble forward out of the circle with the defense collapsing on you.

The fullbacks are generally back near the corners of the penalty box, with the goalkeeper (GK) inside the goal box.

If the opponent is taking the kick-off, then CF and CM would position themselves just below (and outside) the center circle. The two wings would move back and in slightly to protect against the opponent wings cutting in to receive a quick pass from center.

Attacking

The diagram on the right shows an example of an attack formation where the right wing (RW) is bringing the ball up the right side.

Note that left wing (LW) has come towards the left post of the goal while the CF has taken up a position more or less in front of the mouth of the goal. If the attack were coming from the left, then the LW would likely be closer to the side line while the RW comes toward the goal.

The midfield (CM) is hanging back a little bit. This gives him the ability to oversee the attack and direct changes as necessary. From this position he can also send the ball back in towards the goal if it gets kicked out.

But the CM is also an important passing option if the center is congested with defenders and the striker/CF doesn't have anywhere to go. The CF should look to pass to the CM or an open wing. In the diagram to the right, notice how there are triangles formed with the LW, CF and CM ... and then again with the RW, CF, CM. In practice, we're trying to get the boys to recognize the importance of these triangles so they not only look to pass when they have the ball, but more importantly to position themselves to become a good passing option.

The two defenders have moved up to the center line and are tasked with sending the ball back into the attacking zone if it is kicked long. If the opponents win the ball and start building an attack, they will drop back towards the penalty area but press the ball handler when the opportunities arise.

The goalkeeper could come forward to the penalty arc area and if a ball is bombed over the defenders he could come up and bomb it back into the zone or pass it quickly to a full back. However he needs to make those kicks and then get back to the goal box if the opponent wins the ball back and begins an attack.

Defending

When the opponent brings the attack into our side of the field, ALL players need to get back. The defenders especially need to race back if the opposing attack has gotten past them. A goalkeeper's chances of success against an open attack are very slim. The defenders and midfielder need to provide as much interference and obstruction as they can to make sure any shot on our goal is a poor one.

The left and right full backs will primarily look to contain the opponents' wings, while the CM will be tasked with covering the opposing forward in the center.

In the diagram to the right, you can see the backs and midfielder forming a sort of cup around the goalkeeper. We probably won't see anything this tidy but we want to give a very general idea of the defensive assignments. The full backs will move to and from the sideline as the opposing wings move, being sure to keep himself between the wing and goal, and trying to disrupt passes and prevent crosses from the opposing wing.

The left and right wings need to drop back to about half way into our half. They serve an important support role in that if a defensive back wins the ball, they can get a quick pass out to the wings, who will bring the ball up into the opponent zone and pass to the CM or CF.

The CF should stay high in the defensive zone closer to mid-field in hopes of a breakout or to battle with an opposing midfielder for a loose ball.

Thanks to Football Bible for the inspiration and original copy.