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class="vector-toc-list"> <li id="toc-Sweeper-keeper" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-2"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#Sweeper-keeper"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">1.1</span> <span>Sweeper-keeper</span> </div> </a> <ul id="toc-Sweeper-keeper-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> </ul> </li> </ul> </li> <li id="toc-Defender" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-1 vector-toc-list-item-expanded"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#Defender"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">2</span> <span>Defender</span> </div> </a> <button aria-controls="toc-Defender-sublist" class="cdx-button cdx-button--weight-quiet cdx-button--icon-only vector-toc-toggle"> <span class="vector-icon mw-ui-icon-wikimedia-expand"></span> <span>Toggle Defender subsection</span> </button> <ul id="toc-Defender-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> <li id="toc-Centre-back" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-2"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#Centre-back"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">2.1</span> <span>Centre-back</span> </div> </a> <ul id="toc-Centre-back-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> </ul> </li> <li id="toc-Sweeper" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-2"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#Sweeper"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">2.2</span> <span>Sweeper</span> </div> </a> <ul id="toc-Sweeper-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> </ul> </li> <li id="toc-Full-back" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-2"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#Full-back"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">2.3</span> <span>Full-back</span> </div> </a> <ul id="toc-Full-back-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> </ul> </li> <li id="toc-Wing-back" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-2"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#Wing-back"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">2.4</span> <span>Wing-back</span> </div> </a> <ul id="toc-Wing-back-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> </ul> </li> </ul> </li> <li id="toc-Midfielder" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-1 vector-toc-list-item-expanded"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#Midfielder"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">3</span> <span>Midfielder</span> </div> </a> <button aria-controls="toc-Midfielder-sublist" class="cdx-button cdx-button--weight-quiet cdx-button--icon-only vector-toc-toggle"> <span class="vector-icon mw-ui-icon-wikimedia-expand"></span> <span>Toggle Midfielder subsection</span> </button> <ul id="toc-Midfielder-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> <li id="toc-Central_midfielder" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-2"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#Central_midfielder"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">3.1</span> <span>Central midfielder</span> </div> </a> <ul id="toc-Central_midfielder-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> </ul> </li> <li id="toc-Defensive_midfielder" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-2"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#Defensive_midfielder"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">3.2</span> <span>Defensive midfielder</span> </div> </a> <ul id="toc-Defensive_midfielder-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> </ul> </li> <li id="toc-Attacking_midfielder" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-2"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#Attacking_midfielder"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">3.3</span> <span>Attacking midfielder</span> </div> </a> <ul id="toc-Attacking_midfielder-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> </ul> </li> <li id="toc-Wide_midfielder" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-2"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#Wide_midfielder"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">3.4</span> <span>Wide midfielder</span> </div> </a> <ul id="toc-Wide_midfielder-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> </ul> </li> </ul> </li> <li id="toc-Forward" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-1 vector-toc-list-item-expanded"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#Forward"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">4</span> <span>Forward</span> </div> </a> <button aria-controls="toc-Forward-sublist" class="cdx-button cdx-button--weight-quiet cdx-button--icon-only vector-toc-toggle"> <span class="vector-icon mw-ui-icon-wikimedia-expand"></span> <span>Toggle Forward subsection</span> </button> <ul id="toc-Forward-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> <li id="toc-Second_striker" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-2"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#Second_striker"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">4.1</span> <span>Second striker</span> </div> </a> <ul id="toc-Second_striker-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> </ul> </li> <li id="toc-Centre_forward" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-2"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#Centre_forward"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">4.2</span> <span>Centre forward</span> </div> </a> <ul id="toc-Centre_forward-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> </ul> </li> <li id="toc-Winger" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-2"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#Winger"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">4.3</span> <span>Winger</span> </div> </a> <ul id="toc-Winger-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> </ul> </li> </ul> </li> <li id="toc-See_also" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-1 vector-toc-list-item-expanded"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#See_also"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">5</span> <span>See also</span> </div> </a> <ul id="toc-See_also-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> </ul> </li> <li id="toc-References" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-1 vector-toc-list-item-expanded"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#References"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">6</span> <span>References</span> </div> </a> <ul id="toc-References-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> </ul> </li> <li id="toc-Further_reading" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-1 vector-toc-list-item-expanded"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#Further_reading"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">7</span> <span>Further reading</span> </div> </a> <ul id="toc-Further_reading-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> </ul> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </nav> </div> </div> <div class="mw-content-container"> <main id="content" class="mw-body"> <header class="mw-body-header vector-page-titlebar"> <nav aria-label="Contents" class="vector-toc-landmark"> <div id="vector-page-titlebar-toc" class="vector-dropdown vector-page-titlebar-toc vector-button-flush-left" > <input type="checkbox" id="vector-page-titlebar-toc-checkbox" role="button" aria-haspopup="true" data-event-name="ui.dropdown-vector-page-titlebar-toc" class="vector-dropdown-checkbox " aria-label="Toggle the table of contents" > <label id="vector-page-titlebar-toc-label" for="vector-page-titlebar-toc-checkbox" class="vector-dropdown-label cdx-button cdx-button--fake-button cdx-button--fake-button--enabled cdx-button--weight-quiet cdx-button--icon-only " aria-hidden="true" ><span class="vector-icon mw-ui-icon-listBullet mw-ui-icon-wikimedia-listBullet"></span> <span class="vector-dropdown-label-text">Toggle the table of contents</span> </label> <div class="vector-dropdown-content"> <div id="vector-page-titlebar-toc-unpinned-container" class="vector-unpinned-container"> </div> </div> </div> </nav> <h1 id="firstHeading" class="firstHeading mw-first-heading"><span class="mw-page-title-main">Association football positions</span></h1> <div id="p-lang-btn" class="vector-dropdown mw-portlet mw-portlet-lang" > <input type="checkbox" id="p-lang-btn-checkbox" role="button" aria-haspopup="true" data-event-name="ui.dropdown-p-lang-btn" class="vector-dropdown-checkbox mw-interlanguage-selector" aria-label="Go to an article in another language. Available in 28 languages" > <label id="p-lang-btn-label" for="p-lang-btn-checkbox" class="vector-dropdown-label cdx-button cdx-button--fake-button cdx-button--fake-button--enabled cdx-button--weight-quiet cdx-button--action-progressive mw-portlet-lang-heading-28" aria-hidden="true" ><span class="vector-icon mw-ui-icon-language-progressive mw-ui-icon-wikimedia-language-progressive"></span> <span class="vector-dropdown-label-text">28 languages</span> </label> <div class="vector-dropdown-content"> <div class="vector-menu-content"> <ul class="vector-menu-content-list"> <li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-ar mw-list-item"><a href="https://ar.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D9%85%D8%B1%D9%83%D8%B2_(%D9%83%D8%B1%D8%A9_%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%82%D8%AF%D9%85)" title="مركز (كرة القدم) – Arabic" lang="ar" hreflang="ar" data-title="مركز (كرة القدم)" data-language-autonym="العربية" data-language-local-name="Arabic" class="interlanguage-link-target"><span>العربية</span></a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-ast mw-list-item"><a href="https://ast.wikipedia.org/wiki/Posiciones_del_f%C3%BAtbol" title="Posiciones del fútbol – Asturian" lang="ast" hreflang="ast" data-title="Posiciones del fútbol" data-language-autonym="Asturianu" data-language-local-name="Asturian" class="interlanguage-link-target"><span>Asturianu</span></a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-bn mw-list-item"><a href="https://bn.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E0%A6%85%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%AF%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B8%E0%A7%8B%E0%A6%B8%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%AF%E0%A6%BC%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%B6%E0%A6%A8_%E0%A6%AB%E0%A7%81%E0%A6%9F%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%B2%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%B0_%E0%A6%85%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%B8%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%A5%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%A8" title="অ্যাসোসিয়েশন ফুটবলের অবস্থান – Bangla" lang="bn" hreflang="bn" data-title="অ্যাসোসিয়েশন ফুটবলের অবস্থান" data-language-autonym="বাংলা" data-language-local-name="Bangla" class="interlanguage-link-target"><span>বাংলা</span></a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-ca mw-list-item"><a href="https://ca.wikipedia.org/wiki/Posicions_del_futbol" title="Posicions del futbol – Catalan" lang="ca" hreflang="ca" data-title="Posicions del futbol" data-language-autonym="Català" data-language-local-name="Catalan" class="interlanguage-link-target"><span>Català</span></a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-da mw-list-item"><a href="https://da.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fodboldpositioner" title="Fodboldpositioner – Danish" lang="da" hreflang="da" data-title="Fodboldpositioner" data-language-autonym="Dansk" data-language-local-name="Danish" class="interlanguage-link-target"><span>Dansk</span></a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-el mw-list-item"><a href="https://el.wikipedia.org/wiki/%CE%98%CE%AD%CF%83%CE%B5%CE%B9%CF%82_%CF%80%CE%BF%CE%B4%CE%BF%CF%83%CF%86%CE%B1%CE%AF%CF%81%CE%BF%CF%85" title="Θέσεις ποδοσφαίρου – Greek" lang="el" hreflang="el" data-title="Θέσεις ποδοσφαίρου" data-language-autonym="Ελληνικά" data-language-local-name="Greek" class="interlanguage-link-target"><span>Ελληνικά</span></a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-es mw-list-item"><a href="https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Posiciones_del_f%C3%BAtbol" title="Posiciones del fútbol – Spanish" lang="es" hreflang="es" data-title="Posiciones del fútbol" data-language-autonym="Español" data-language-local-name="Spanish" class="interlanguage-link-target"><span>Español</span></a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-fr mw-list-item"><a href="https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poste_(football)" title="Poste (football) – French" lang="fr" hreflang="fr" data-title="Poste (football)" data-language-autonym="Français" data-language-local-name="French" class="interlanguage-link-target"><span>Français</span></a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-gl mw-list-item"><a href="https://gl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Posici%C3%B3ns_no_f%C3%BAtbol" title="Posicións no fútbol – Galician" lang="gl" hreflang="gl" data-title="Posicións no fútbol" data-language-autonym="Galego" data-language-local-name="Galician" class="interlanguage-link-target"><span>Galego</span></a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-ko mw-list-item"><a href="https://ko.wikipedia.org/wiki/%EC%B6%95%EA%B5%AC%EC%9D%98_%ED%8F%AC%EC%A7%80%EC%85%98" title="축구의 포지션 – Korean" lang="ko" hreflang="ko" data-title="축구의 포지션" data-language-autonym="한국어" data-language-local-name="Korean" class="interlanguage-link-target"><span>한국어</span></a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-hr mw-list-item"><a href="https://hr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nogometne_pozicije" title="Nogometne pozicije – Croatian" lang="hr" hreflang="hr" data-title="Nogometne pozicije" data-language-autonym="Hrvatski" data-language-local-name="Croatian" class="interlanguage-link-target"><span>Hrvatski</span></a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-id mw-list-item"><a href="https://id.wikipedia.org/wiki/Posisi_(sepak_bola)" title="Posisi (sepak bola) – Indonesian" lang="id" hreflang="id" data-title="Posisi (sepak bola)" data-language-autonym="Bahasa Indonesia" data-language-local-name="Indonesian" class="interlanguage-link-target"><span>Bahasa Indonesia</span></a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-he mw-list-item"><a href="https://he.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D7%A2%D7%9E%D7%93%D7%95%D7%AA_%D7%9B%D7%93%D7%95%D7%A8%D7%92%D7%9C" title="עמדות כדורגל – Hebrew" lang="he" hreflang="he" data-title="עמדות כדורגל" data-language-autonym="עברית" data-language-local-name="Hebrew" class="interlanguage-link-target"><span>עברית</span></a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-jv mw-list-item"><a href="https://jv.wikipedia.org/wiki/Posisi_(bal-balan)" title="Posisi (bal-balan) – Javanese" lang="jv" hreflang="jv" data-title="Posisi (bal-balan)" data-language-autonym="Jawa" data-language-local-name="Javanese" class="interlanguage-link-target"><span>Jawa</span></a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-ml mw-list-item"><a href="https://ml.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E0%B4%AB%E0%B5%81%E0%B4%9F%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%AC%E0%B5%8B%E0%B4%B3%E0%B4%BF%E0%B4%B2%E0%B5%86_%E0%B4%95%E0%B4%B3%E0%B4%BF%E0%B4%B8%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%A5%E0%B4%BE%E0%B4%A8%E0%B4%99%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%99%E0%B5%BE" title="ഫുട്ബോളിലെ കളിസ്ഥാനങ്ങൾ – Malayalam" lang="ml" hreflang="ml" data-title="ഫുട്ബോളിലെ കളിസ്ഥാനങ്ങൾ" data-language-autonym="മലയാളം" data-language-local-name="Malayalam" class="interlanguage-link-target"><span>മലയാളം</span></a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-ms mw-list-item"><a href="https://ms.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kedudukan_(bola_sepak)" title="Kedudukan (bola sepak) – Malay" lang="ms" hreflang="ms" data-title="Kedudukan (bola sepak)" data-language-autonym="Bahasa Melayu" data-language-local-name="Malay" class="interlanguage-link-target"><span>Bahasa Melayu</span></a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-ja mw-list-item"><a href="https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E3%82%B5%E3%83%83%E3%82%AB%E3%83%BC%E3%81%AE%E3%83%9D%E3%82%B8%E3%82%B7%E3%83%A7%E3%83%B3" title="サッカーのポジション – Japanese" lang="ja" hreflang="ja" data-title="サッカーのポジション" data-language-autonym="日本語" data-language-local-name="Japanese" class="interlanguage-link-target"><span>日本語</span></a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-pt mw-list-item"><a href="https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Posi%C3%A7%C3%B5es_no_futebol" title="Posições no futebol – Portuguese" lang="pt" hreflang="pt" data-title="Posições no futebol" data-language-autonym="Português" data-language-local-name="Portuguese" class="interlanguage-link-target"><span>Português</span></a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-ru mw-list-item"><a href="https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%9F%D0%BE%D0%B7%D0%B8%D1%86%D0%B8%D0%B8_%D0%B2_%D1%84%D1%83%D1%82%D0%B1%D0%BE%D0%BB%D0%B5" title="Позиции в футболе – Russian" lang="ru" hreflang="ru" data-title="Позиции в футболе" data-language-autonym="Русский" data-language-local-name="Russian" class="interlanguage-link-target"><span>Русский</span></a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-so mw-list-item"><a href="https://so.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boosaska_kubada_cagta" title="Boosaska kubada cagta – Somali" lang="so" hreflang="so" data-title="Boosaska kubada cagta" data-language-autonym="Soomaaliga" data-language-local-name="Somali" class="interlanguage-link-target"><span>Soomaaliga</span></a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-sr mw-list-item"><a href="https://sr.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%A4%D1%83%D0%B4%D0%B1%D0%B0%D0%BB%D1%81%D0%BA%D0%B5_%D0%BF%D0%BE%D0%B7%D0%B8%D1%86%D0%B8%D1%98%D0%B5" title="Фудбалске позиције – Serbian" lang="sr" hreflang="sr" data-title="Фудбалске позиције" data-language-autonym="Српски / srpski" data-language-local-name="Serbian" class="interlanguage-link-target"><span>Српски / srpski</span></a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-sh mw-list-item"><a href="https://sh.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fudbalske_pozicije" title="Fudbalske pozicije – Serbo-Croatian" lang="sh" hreflang="sh" data-title="Fudbalske pozicije" data-language-autonym="Srpskohrvatski / српскохрватски" data-language-local-name="Serbo-Croatian" class="interlanguage-link-target"><span>Srpskohrvatski / српскохрватски</span></a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-fi mw-list-item"><a href="https://fi.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jalkapallon_pelipaikat" title="Jalkapallon pelipaikat – Finnish" lang="fi" hreflang="fi" data-title="Jalkapallon pelipaikat" data-language-autonym="Suomi" data-language-local-name="Finnish" class="interlanguage-link-target"><span>Suomi</span></a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-th mw-list-item"><a href="https://th.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E0%B8%95%E0%B8%B3%E0%B9%81%E0%B8%AB%E0%B8%99%E0%B9%88%E0%B8%87%E0%B8%9C%E0%B8%B9%E0%B9%89%E0%B9%80%E0%B8%A5%E0%B9%88%E0%B8%99%E0%B8%9F%E0%B8%B8%E0%B8%95%E0%B8%9A%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%A5" title="ตำแหน่งผู้เล่นฟุตบอล – Thai" lang="th" hreflang="th" data-title="ตำแหน่งผู้เล่นฟุตบอล" data-language-autonym="ไทย" data-language-local-name="Thai" class="interlanguage-link-target"><span>ไทย</span></a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-tg mw-list-item"><a href="https://tg.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%9C%D0%B0%D2%9B%D0%BE%D0%BC%D2%B3%D0%BE_%D0%B4%D0%B0%D1%80_%D1%84%D1%83%D1%82%D0%B1%D0%BE%D0%BB" title="Мақомҳо дар футбол – Tajik" lang="tg" hreflang="tg" data-title="Мақомҳо дар футбол" data-language-autonym="Тоҷикӣ" data-language-local-name="Tajik" class="interlanguage-link-target"><span>Тоҷикӣ</span></a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-tr mw-list-item"><a href="https://tr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Futbol_pozisyonlar%C4%B1" title="Futbol pozisyonları – Turkish" lang="tr" hreflang="tr" data-title="Futbol pozisyonları" data-language-autonym="Türkçe" data-language-local-name="Turkish" class="interlanguage-link-target"><span>Türkçe</span></a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-vi mw-list-item"><a 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class="mw-content-ltr mw-parser-output" lang="en" dir="ltr"><div class="shortdescription nomobile noexcerpt noprint searchaux" style="display:none">Association football on-field positions</div> <div class="noresize thumb tright" style=";"> <div class="thumbinner" style="overflow:hidden;width:262px;"> <div class="thumbimage" style="height:392px; overflow:hidden; position:relative; background-color:white;"> <div style=";left:8px; top:7px; width:9 50px; position:absolute;"> <figure class="noresize" typeof="mw:File"><a href="/wiki/File:Boisko.svg" title="File:Boisko.svg"><img src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c9/Boisko.svg/250px-Boisko.svg.png" decoding="async" width="250" height="378" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c9/Boisko.svg/375px-Boisko.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c9/Boisko.svg/500px-Boisko.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="452" data-file-height="684" /></a><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div> <div style="text-align:left; background-color:transparent; line-height:110%;"> <div id="annotation_125x355" style="position:absolute; left:125px; top:355px; line-height:110%;"><span style="background-color:transparent; color:inherit;"><a href="#Goalkeeper">GK</a></span></div> <div id="annotation_125x320" style="position:absolute; left:125px; top:320px; line-height:110%;"><span style="background-color:transparent; color:inherit;"><a href="#Sweeper">SW</a></span></div> <div id="annotation_210x285" style="position:absolute; left:210px; top:285px; line-height:110%;"><span style="background-color:transparent; color:inherit;"><a href="#Full-back">RB</a></span></div> <div id="annotation_125x285" style="position:absolute; left:125px; top:285px; line-height:110%;"><span style="background-color:transparent; color:inherit;"><a href="#Centre-back">CB</a></span></div> <div id="annotation_30x285" style="position:absolute; left:30px; top:285px; line-height:110%;"><span style="background-color:transparent; color:inherit;"><a href="#Full-back">LB</a></span></div> <div id="annotation_210x250" style="position:absolute; left:210px; top:250px; line-height:110%;"><span style="background-color:transparent; color:inherit;"><a href="#Wing-back">RWB</a></span></div> <div id="annotation_30x250" style="position:absolute; left:30px; top:250px; line-height:110%;"><span style="background-color:transparent; color:inherit;"><a href="#Wing-back">LWB</a></span></div> <div id="annotation_125x230" style="position:absolute; left:125px; top:230px; line-height:110%;"><span style="background-color:transparent; color:inherit;"><a href="#Defensive_midfielder">DM</a></span></div> <div id="annotation_210x190" style="position:absolute; left:210px; top:190px; line-height:110%;"><span style="background-color:transparent; color:inherit;"><a href="#Wide_midfielder">RM</a></span></div> <div id="annotation_125x190" style="position:absolute; left:125px; top:190px; line-height:110%;"><span style="background-color:transparent; color:inherit;"><a href="#Central_midfielder">CM</a></span></div> <div id="annotation_30x190" style="position:absolute; left:30px; top:190px; line-height:110%;"><span style="background-color:transparent; color:inherit;"><a href="#Wide_midfielder">LM</a></span></div> <div id="annotation_125x150" style="position:absolute; left:125px; top:150px; line-height:110%;"><span style="background-color:transparent; color:inherit;"><a href="#Attacking_midfielder">AM</a></span></div> <div id="annotation_210x95" style="position:absolute; left:210px; top:95px; line-height:110%;"><span style="background-color:transparent; color:inherit;"><a href="#Winger">RW</a></span></div> <div id="annotation_125x95" style="position:absolute; left:125px; top:95px; line-height:110%;"><span style="background-color:transparent; color:inherit;"><a href="#Second_striker">SS</a></span></div> <div id="annotation_30x95" style="position:absolute; left:30px; top:95px; line-height:110%;"><span style="background-color:transparent; color:inherit;"><a href="#Winger">LW</a></span></div> <div id="annotation_125x60" style="position:absolute; left:125px; top:60px; line-height:110%;"><span style="background-color:transparent; color:inherit;"><a href="#Centre_forward">CF</a></span></div> </div> <div style="visibility:hidden"><figure class="noresize" typeof="mw:File"><a href="/wiki/File:Boisko.svg" title="File:Boisko.svg"><img src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c9/Boisko.svg/250px-Boisko.svg.png" decoding="async" width="250" height="378" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c9/Boisko.svg/375px-Boisko.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c9/Boisko.svg/500px-Boisko.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="452" data-file-height="684" /></a><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div> </div> <div class="thumbcaption">The most common positions used in association football. Teams must always have a goalkeeper, but the remaining 10 players may be arranged in any combination.</div> </div></div> <p>In the sport of <a href="/wiki/Association_football" title="Association football">association football</a>, each of the 11 players on a team is assigned to a particular position on the field of play. A team is made up of one <a href="/wiki/Goalkeeper_(association_football)" title="Goalkeeper (association football)">goalkeeper</a> and ten <a href="/wiki/Outfield" title="Outfield">outfield</a> players who fill various defensive, midfield, and attacking positions depending on the <a href="/wiki/Formation_(association_football)" title="Formation (association football)">formation</a> deployed. These positions describe both the player's main role and their area of operation on the pitch. </p><p>In the early development of the game, formations were much more offensively aggressive, with the 1–2–7 being prominent in the late 1800s.<sup id="cite_ref-Football_Bible_1-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-Football_Bible-1"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>1<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> In the latter part of the 19th century, the <a href="/wiki/Formation_(association_football)#2–3–5_(Pyramid)" title="Formation (association football)">2–3–5</a> formation became widely used and the position names became more refined to reflect this. In defence, there were full-backs, known as the left-back and right-back; in midfield, left-half, centre-half and right-half; and for the forward line there were outside-left (or left wing), inside-left, centre-forward, inside-right and outside-right (or right wing). As the game has evolved, tactics and team formations have changed and so many of the names of the positions have changed to reflect their duties in the modern game (though some old familiar ones remain).<sup id="cite_ref-Football_Bible_1-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-Football_Bible-1"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>1<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> The term "half-back" fell out of use by the early 1970s and "midfield" was used in naming the positions that play around the middle third as in centre midfield and wide midfield.<sup id="cite_ref-Football_Bible_1-2" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-Football_Bible-1"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>1<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p><p>The fluid nature of the modern game means that positions in football are not as rigidly defined as in sports such as <a href="/wiki/Rugby_football" title="Rugby football">rugby</a> or <a href="/wiki/American_football" title="American football">American football</a>. Even so, most players will play in a limited range of positions throughout their career, as each position requires a particular set of skills and physical attributes. Footballers who are able to play comfortably in a number of positions are referred to as "<a href="/wiki/Utility_player" title="Utility player">utility players</a>".<sup id="cite_ref-2" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-2"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>2<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p><p>However, in <a href="/wiki/Total_Football" title="Total Football">Total Football</a> tactics, the players are only loosely defined into a position. This tactic required players who were extremely versatile, such as <a href="/wiki/Johan_Cruyff" title="Johan Cruyff">Johan Cruyff</a>, who could play every position on the pitch apart from goalkeeper.<sup id="cite_ref-3" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-3"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>3<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p> <style data-mw-deduplicate="TemplateStyles:r886046785">.mw-parser-output .toclimit-2 .toclevel-1 ul,.mw-parser-output .toclimit-3 .toclevel-2 ul,.mw-parser-output .toclimit-4 .toclevel-3 ul,.mw-parser-output .toclimit-5 .toclevel-4 ul,.mw-parser-output .toclimit-6 .toclevel-5 ul,.mw-parser-output .toclimit-7 .toclevel-6 ul{display:none}</style><div class="toclimit-3"><meta property="mw:PageProp/toc" /></div> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="Goalkeeper">Goalkeeper</h2><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Association_football_positions&action=edit&section=1" title="Edit section: Goalkeeper"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <style data-mw-deduplicate="TemplateStyles:r1236090951">.mw-parser-output .hatnote{font-style:italic}.mw-parser-output div.hatnote{padding-left:1.6em;margin-bottom:0.5em}.mw-parser-output .hatnote i{font-style:normal}.mw-parser-output .hatnote+link+.hatnote{margin-top:-0.5em}@media print{body.ns-0 .mw-parser-output .hatnote{display:none!important}}</style><div role="note" class="hatnote navigation-not-searchable">Main article: <a href="/wiki/Goalkeeper_(association_football)" title="Goalkeeper (association football)">Goalkeeper (association football)</a></div> <figure class="mw-default-size" typeof="mw:File/Thumb"><a href="/wiki/File:Mary_Earps_Eng_Women_0_Czech_Rep_0_11_10_2022-811_(52427101743).jpg" class="mw-file-description"><img src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/73/Mary_Earps_Eng_Women_0_Czech_Rep_0_11_10_2022-811_%2852427101743%29.jpg/220px-Mary_Earps_Eng_Women_0_Czech_Rep_0_11_10_2022-811_%2852427101743%29.jpg" decoding="async" width="220" height="134" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/73/Mary_Earps_Eng_Women_0_Czech_Rep_0_11_10_2022-811_%2852427101743%29.jpg/330px-Mary_Earps_Eng_Women_0_Czech_Rep_0_11_10_2022-811_%2852427101743%29.jpg 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/73/Mary_Earps_Eng_Women_0_Czech_Rep_0_11_10_2022-811_%2852427101743%29.jpg/440px-Mary_Earps_Eng_Women_0_Czech_Rep_0_11_10_2022-811_%2852427101743%29.jpg 2x" data-file-width="4777" data-file-height="2910" /></a><figcaption>Goalkeeper diving to keep the ball away from goal.</figcaption></figure> <p>Goalkeeper is the most defensive position in football. The goalkeeper's main job is to stop the other team from scoring by catching, palming or punching the ball from shots, headers and crosses. Unlike their teammates, goalkeepers typically remain in and around their own penalty area for most of the game. As a result, goalkeepers have a better view of the pitch and often give advice to their defence when the other team is on the attack or during set pieces.<sup id="cite_ref-4" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-4"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>4<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> Goalkeepers are the only players on the pitch who are allowed to handle the ball, but this is restricted to their own penalty area. Positioning is another important job and is one of the hardest to master as keeper.<sup id="cite_ref-5" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-5"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>5<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p><p>Goalkeepers must also wear a different coloured kit from the outfielders and officials. Common colours include yellow, green, grey, black and shades of blue. Since the 1970s, goalkeepers have also typically worn specialised gloves. They provide better grip on the ball and protect their hands from hard shots and headers, as well making it easier to punch or push the ball away. Caps were common between the 1910s and 1960s, as well as woolly jumpers, but these are not worn in any professional or semi-professional context today.<sup class="noprint Inline-Template Template-Fact" style="white-space:nowrap;">[<i><a href="/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed" title="Wikipedia:Citation needed"><span title="This claim needs references to reliable sources. (October 2023)">citation needed</span></a></i>]</sup> </p><p>Unlike other positions, the goalkeeper is the only required role in a football match. If a goalkeeper gets sent off or injured, a substitute goalkeeper must take their place in goal. If that is not possible, an outfielder must do so and wear the goalkeeper's shirt. This happened in the <a href="/wiki/2023_National_Women%27s_Soccer_League_season" title="2023 National Women's Soccer League season">2023</a> <a href="/wiki/National_Women%27s_Soccer_League" title="National Women's Soccer League">NSWL</a> Championship final, when goalkeeper <a href="/wiki/Mandy_Haught" title="Mandy Haught">Mandy Haught</a> was sent off with a red card, and her team already reached the limit of substitutions, causing midfielder <a href="/wiki/Nealy_Martin" title="Nealy Martin">Nealy Martin</a> to take her place as goalkeeper.<sup id="cite_ref-6" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-6"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>6<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading3"><h3 id="Sweeper-keeper">Sweeper-keeper</h3><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Association_football_positions&action=edit&section=2" title="Edit section: Sweeper-keeper"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <p>With the advent of the offside rule, the role of a sweeping defender has largely become obsolete. However, in the last decades it has become popular for goalkeepers to take on that role instead. A sweeping goalkeeper is good at reading the game, and prevents scoring opportunities by coming off their line to challenge and/or distract opposing forwards who have beaten the offside trap. <a href="/wiki/Manuel_Neuer" title="Manuel Neuer">Manuel Neuer</a> has often been described as a sweeper-keeper.<sup id="cite_ref-newrepublic_1_7-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-newrepublic_1-7"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>7<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="Defender">Defender</h2><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Association_football_positions&action=edit&section=3" title="Edit section: Defender"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1236090951"><div role="note" class="hatnote navigation-not-searchable">Main article: <a href="/wiki/Defender_(association_football)" title="Defender (association football)">Defender (association football)</a></div> <figure class="mw-default-size" typeof="mw:File/Thumb"><a href="/wiki/File:Fulham_on_the_attack.jpg" class="mw-file-description"><img src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/52/Fulham_on_the_attack.jpg/220px-Fulham_on_the_attack.jpg" decoding="async" width="220" height="142" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/52/Fulham_on_the_attack.jpg/330px-Fulham_on_the_attack.jpg 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/52/Fulham_on_the_attack.jpg/440px-Fulham_on_the_attack.jpg 2x" data-file-width="783" data-file-height="506" /></a><figcaption>A <a href="/wiki/Defender_(association_football)" title="Defender (association football)">defender</a> (in the foreground, wearing a white shirt) challenging for possession.</figcaption></figure> <p>Defenders play behind the <a href="/wiki/Midfielder" title="Midfielder">midfielders</a> and their primary responsibility is to provide support to the team and to prevent the opposition from scoring a goal.<sup id="cite_ref-8" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-8"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>8<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> They usually remain in the half of the field that contains the goal they are defending. Taller defenders will move forward to the opposing team's penalty box when their team takes <a href="/wiki/Corner_kick" title="Corner kick">corner kicks</a> or <a href="/wiki/Indirect_free_kick" class="mw-redirect" title="Indirect free kick">free kicks</a>, where scoring with one's head is a possibility.<sup id="cite_ref-9" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-9"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>9<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading3"><h3 id="Centre-back">Centre-back</h3><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Association_football_positions&action=edit&section=4" title="Edit section: Centre-back"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <p>The principal role of the centre-back,<sup id="cite_ref-10" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-10"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>10<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-11" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-11"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>11<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> (or central defender<sup id="cite_ref-news.bbc.co.uk_12-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-news.bbc.co.uk-12"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>12<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup>) (historically called a centre-half<sup id="cite_ref-13" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-13"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>13<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-14" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-14"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>14<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup>) is to block the opponent's players from scoring, and safely clearing the ball from the defensive half's <a href="/wiki/Penalty_area" title="Penalty area">penalty area</a>. As their name suggests, they play in a central position. Most teams employ two centre-backs, stationed in front of the goalkeeper. There are two main defensive strategies used by centre-backs: the zonal defence, where each centre-back covers a specific area of the pitch, and man-to-man marking, where each centre-back has the job of covering a particular opposition player.<sup id="cite_ref-15" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-15"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>15<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p><p>Centre-backs are often tall, strong and have good jumping, heading and tackling ability. Successful centre-backs also need to be able to concentrate, read the game well, and be brave and decisive in making last-ditch tackles on attacking players who might otherwise be through on goal.<sup id="cite_ref-16" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-16"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>16<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> Sometimes, particularly in lower leagues, centre-backs concentrate less on ball control and passing, preferring simply to clear the ball in a "safety-first" fashion.<sup id="cite_ref-17" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-17"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>17<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> However, there is a long tradition of centre-backs having more than just rudimentary footballing skill, enabling a more possession-oriented playing style.<sup id="cite_ref-news.bbc.co.uk_12-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-news.bbc.co.uk-12"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>12<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p> <figure class="mw-default-size" typeof="mw:File/Thumb"><a href="/wiki/File:Alex_Greenwood_Eng_Women_0_Czech_Rep_0_11_10_2022-554_(52426865534).jpg" class="mw-file-description"><img src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/bf/Alex_Greenwood_Eng_Women_0_Czech_Rep_0_11_10_2022-554_%2852426865534%29.jpg/220px-Alex_Greenwood_Eng_Women_0_Czech_Rep_0_11_10_2022-554_%2852426865534%29.jpg" decoding="async" width="220" height="144" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/bf/Alex_Greenwood_Eng_Women_0_Czech_Rep_0_11_10_2022-554_%2852426865534%29.jpg/330px-Alex_Greenwood_Eng_Women_0_Czech_Rep_0_11_10_2022-554_%2852426865534%29.jpg 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/bf/Alex_Greenwood_Eng_Women_0_Czech_Rep_0_11_10_2022-554_%2852426865534%29.jpg/440px-Alex_Greenwood_Eng_Women_0_Czech_Rep_0_11_10_2022-554_%2852426865534%29.jpg 2x" data-file-width="4519" data-file-height="2952" /></a><figcaption>Centre-back <a href="/wiki/Alex_Greenwood" title="Alex Greenwood">Alex Greenwood</a> (on the right wearing the orange shirt) passing the ball.</figcaption></figure> <p>Centre-backs will usually go forward for set piece corners and free-kicks, where their height and jumping ability give them an aerial goal threat, while defensive duties are covered by the full-backs. Once the set piece is complete, they will retreat to their own half.<sup id="cite_ref-18" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-18"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>18<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p><p>The position is sometimes referred to as "centre-half". This originates in the late part of the 19th century, when most teams employed the <a href="/wiki/Formation_(association_football)#2–3–5_(Pyramid)" title="Formation (association football)">2–3–5</a> formation, the row of three players were called <i>half-backs</i>. As formations evolved, the central player in this trio (the centre-half), moved into a more defensive position on the field, taking the name of the position with them.<sup id="cite_ref-19" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-19"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>19<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-20" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-20"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>20<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading3"><h3 id="Sweeper">Sweeper</h3><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Association_football_positions&action=edit&section=5" title="Edit section: Sweeper"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <p>The sweeper (or <i><a href="/wiki/Libero_(football)" class="mw-redirect" title="Libero (football)">libero</a></i> (<a href="/wiki/Italian_language" title="Italian language">Italian</a>: <i lang="it">free</i>)) is a more versatile type of centre-back that, as the name suggests, "sweeps up" the ball if the opponent manages to breach the defensive line.<sup id="cite_ref-Topendsports_21-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-Topendsports-21"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>21<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> Their position is rather more fluid than other defenders who mark their designated opponents.<sup id="cite_ref-Topendsports_21-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-Topendsports-21"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>21<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> The sweeper's ability to read the game is even more vital than for a centre-back.<sup id="cite_ref-Positions_guide:_Sweeper_22-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-Positions_guide:_Sweeper-22"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>22<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> The <a href="/wiki/Catenaccio" title="Catenaccio">catenaccio</a> system of play, used in <a href="/wiki/Football_in_Italy" title="Football in Italy">Italian football</a> in the 1960s, notably employed a defensive libero.<sup id="cite_ref-worldsoccer.about.com_23-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-worldsoccer.about.com-23"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>23<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> With the advent of the modern <a href="/wiki/Offside_(association_football)" title="Offside (association football)">offside rule</a> came the need to hold more of a defensive line to catch opposing players offside. Use of a sweeper role became less popular as the last man can play an attacking opponent onside, which could in the case of the sweeper be behind the main defence.<sup id="cite_ref-24" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-24"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>24<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> Nowadays, the position is commonly taught in American and Italian youth football, with most teams elsewhere never playing the position. <sup class="noprint Inline-Template Template-Fact" style="white-space:nowrap;">[<i><a href="/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed" title="Wikipedia:Citation needed"><span title="This claim needs references to reliable sources. (March 2024)">citation needed</span></a></i>]</sup> </p><p>Former German captain <a href="/wiki/Franz_Beckenbauer" title="Franz Beckenbauer">Franz Beckenbauer</a> is commonly seen as the inventor of the libero and the best player in the role.<sup id="cite_ref-25" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-25"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>25<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> However, players such as <a href="/wiki/Velibor_Vasovi%C4%87" title="Velibor Vasović">Velibor Vasović</a><sup id="cite_ref-26" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-26"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>26<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> and <a href="/wiki/Armando_Picchi" title="Armando Picchi">Armando Picchi</a><sup id="cite_ref-27" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-27"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>27<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> were prominent sweepers prior to Beckenbauer. Some of the greatest sweepers were <a href="/wiki/Gaetano_Scirea" title="Gaetano Scirea">Gaetano Scirea</a>, <a href="/wiki/Bobby_Moore" title="Bobby Moore">Bobby Moore</a>, <a href="/wiki/Franco_Baresi" title="Franco Baresi">Franco Baresi</a>, <a href="/wiki/Daniel_Passarella" title="Daniel Passarella">Daniel Passarella</a> and <a href="/wiki/Lothar_Matth%C3%A4us" title="Lothar Matthäus">Lothar Matthäus</a>.<sup class="noprint Inline-Template Template-Fact" style="white-space:nowrap;">[<i><a href="/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed" title="Wikipedia:Citation needed"><span title="This claim needs references to reliable sources. (April 2014)">citation needed</span></a></i>]</sup> </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading3"><h3 id="Full-back">Full-back</h3><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Association_football_positions&action=edit&section=6" title="Edit section: Full-back"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <p>The left-back and the right-back (generally referred to as the full-backs<sup id="cite_ref-28" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-28"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>28<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup>) are the defenders stationed at either side of the centre-backs to provide protection from attacking wide players. They often have to defend against the opponent's wingers, who will try to take the ball past them down the flanks in order to cross or pass into the penalty area to their attackers.<sup id="cite_ref-BBC_Sweeper_29-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-BBC_Sweeper-29"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>29<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> Full-backs traditionally do not go up to support the attack but may move up as far as the halfway line depending on the defensive line being held.<sup id="cite_ref-30" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-30"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>30<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> In the modern game, there has been the tendency to prefer the use of the attacking full-back (wing-back) role though they are more often than not still referred to as right- or left-backs.<sup id="cite_ref-BBC_Sweeper_29-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-BBC_Sweeper-29"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>29<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p><p>Originally, a full-back was the last line of defence, but as the game developed in the early 20th century, the centre-half role was dropped backwards and came to be known as 'centre-back', and the full-backs were then pushed out wider to create the right-back and left-back positions.<sup id="cite_ref-31" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-31"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>31<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading3"><h3 id="Wing-back">Wing-back</h3><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Association_football_positions&action=edit&section=7" title="Edit section: Wing-back"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <p>The wing-backs (or attacking full-backs) are defenders with a more advanced emphasis on attack. The name is a <a href="/wiki/Portmanteau" class="mw-redirect" title="Portmanteau">portmanteau</a> of "winger" and "full-back", indicating greater emphasis on their responsibilities in attack.<sup id="cite_ref-Soccerdictionary_32-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-Soccerdictionary-32"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>32<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> They are usually employed as part of a <a href="/wiki/Formation_(association_football)#3–5–2" title="Formation (association football)">3–5–2</a> formation, and can therefore be considered part of the midfield when a team is attacking.<sup id="cite_ref-soccerfitness1_33-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-soccerfitness1-33"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>33<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> They may also be used in a <a href="/wiki/Formation_(association_football)#5–3–2" title="Formation (association football)">5–3–2</a> formation and therefore have a more defensive role.<sup id="cite_ref-34" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-34"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>34<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> The term "wing-back" itself is gradually falling out of use as there is less of a distinction with the full-back roles in the modern game, especially when used in a 4–3–3 or 4–2–3–1 formation.<sup id="cite_ref-Soccerdictionary_32-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-Soccerdictionary-32"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>32<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-35" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-35"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>35<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p><p>The wing-back role is one of the most physically demanding positions in modern football. Wing-backs are often more adventurous than traditional full-backs and are expected to provide width, especially in teams without wingers. A wing-back needs to be of exceptional stamina, be able to provide crosses upfield and then defend effectively against an opponent's attack down the flanks. A defensive midfielder is usually fielded to cover the advances of an opponent's wing-back.<sup id="cite_ref-36" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-36"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>36<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="Midfielder">Midfielder</h2><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Association_football_positions&action=edit&section=8" title="Edit section: Midfielder"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1236090951"><div role="note" class="hatnote navigation-not-searchable">Main article: <a href="/wiki/Midfielder" title="Midfielder">Midfielder</a></div> <figure class="mw-default-size" typeof="mw:File/Thumb"><a href="/wiki/File:Liverpool_footballer_Steven_Gerrard.jpg" class="mw-file-description"><img src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0a/Liverpool_footballer_Steven_Gerrard.jpg/220px-Liverpool_footballer_Steven_Gerrard.jpg" decoding="async" width="220" height="212" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0a/Liverpool_footballer_Steven_Gerrard.jpg/330px-Liverpool_footballer_Steven_Gerrard.jpg 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0a/Liverpool_footballer_Steven_Gerrard.jpg/440px-Liverpool_footballer_Steven_Gerrard.jpg 2x" data-file-width="482" data-file-height="465" /></a><figcaption><a href="/wiki/Steven_Gerrard" title="Steven Gerrard">Steven Gerrard</a>, regarded as one of the most complete midfielders of his generation.</figcaption></figure> <p>Midfielders (originally called half-backs) are players whose position of play is midway between the attacking <a href="/wiki/Forward_(association_football)" title="Forward (association football)">forwards</a> and the <a href="/wiki/Defender_(association_football)" title="Defender (association football)">defenders</a>. Their main duties are to maintain possession of the ball, receiving the ball from defenders and feeding it to the strikers, as well as dispossessing opposing players. Most <a href="/wiki/Manager_(association_football)" title="Manager (association football)">managers</a> field at least one central midfielder with a marked task of breaking up opposition's attacks while the rest are more adept to creating goals or have equal responsibilities between attack and defence. Midfielders can be expected to cover many areas of a pitch, as at times they can be called back into defence or required to attack with the strikers. They are more often the players that initiate attacking play for a team.<sup id="cite_ref-Soccerdummies_37-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-Soccerdummies-37"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>37<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading3"><h3 id="Central_midfielder">Central midfielder</h3><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Association_football_positions&action=edit&section=9" title="Edit section: Central midfielder"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1236090951"><div role="note" class="hatnote navigation-not-searchable">Further information: <a href="/wiki/Midfielder#Central_midfielder" title="Midfielder">Midfielder § Central midfielder</a></div> <figure class="mw-default-size" typeof="mw:File/Thumb"><a href="/wiki/File:2019-05-18_Fu%C3%9Fball,_Frauen,_UEFA_Women%27s_Champions_League,_Olympique_Lyonnais_-_FC_Barcelona_StP_1145_LR10_by_Stepro.jpg" class="mw-file-description"><img src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9a/2019-05-18_Fu%C3%9Fball%2C_Frauen%2C_UEFA_Women%27s_Champions_League%2C_Olympique_Lyonnais_-_FC_Barcelona_StP_1145_LR10_by_Stepro.jpg/220px-2019-05-18_Fu%C3%9Fball%2C_Frauen%2C_UEFA_Women%27s_Champions_League%2C_Olympique_Lyonnais_-_FC_Barcelona_StP_1145_LR10_by_Stepro.jpg" decoding="async" width="220" height="330" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9a/2019-05-18_Fu%C3%9Fball%2C_Frauen%2C_UEFA_Women%27s_Champions_League%2C_Olympique_Lyonnais_-_FC_Barcelona_StP_1145_LR10_by_Stepro.jpg/330px-2019-05-18_Fu%C3%9Fball%2C_Frauen%2C_UEFA_Women%27s_Champions_League%2C_Olympique_Lyonnais_-_FC_Barcelona_StP_1145_LR10_by_Stepro.jpg 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9a/2019-05-18_Fu%C3%9Fball%2C_Frauen%2C_UEFA_Women%27s_Champions_League%2C_Olympique_Lyonnais_-_FC_Barcelona_StP_1145_LR10_by_Stepro.jpg/440px-2019-05-18_Fu%C3%9Fball%2C_Frauen%2C_UEFA_Women%27s_Champions_League%2C_Olympique_Lyonnais_-_FC_Barcelona_StP_1145_LR10_by_Stepro.jpg 2x" data-file-width="2582" data-file-height="3873" /></a><figcaption>Central midfielder <a href="/wiki/Aitana_Bonmat%C3%AD" title="Aitana Bonmatí">Aitana Bonmatí</a> is considered one of the best players in the world.<sup id="cite_ref-38" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-38"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>38<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup></figcaption></figure> <p>The central midfielder provides a link between defence and attack, fulfilling a number of duties and operating primarily in the middle third of the pitch. They will support their team's attacking play and endeavour to win the ball back on defense. A central midfielder is often an important initiator of attacks and can be sometimes described as a "playmaker." They will also offer an additional line of defence when the team is under sustained attack and when defending set pieces. Central midfielders are always busy in a game and are therefore sometimes described as the engine room of the team.<sup id="cite_ref-Soccerdummies_37-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-Soccerdummies-37"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>37<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p><p>Their central position enables them to have an all-round view of the match. Since most of the action takes place in and around their area of the pitch, midfielders often exert the greatest degree of control over how a match is played.<sup id="cite_ref-39" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-39"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>39<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> It is often said that a match is won or lost in midfield, meaning that whichever team dominates the middle area of the pitch is able to dictate the game. A central midfielder is expected to have good vision, be adept at long and short passing and have great stamina because of the ground they cover in a game.<sup id="cite_ref-40" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-40"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>40<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> They also need to be good at tackling to win the ball back. </p><p>Over time two additional central midfield roles have developed from the standard role, though their duties have a degree of overlap. These are the attacking midfield and defensive midfield roles and are explained in the sections below. Depending on the team's tactics a combination of all three roles may be deployed in midfield. Sometimes a central midfielder will be used in a wide midfield role to provide width or as cover.<sup id="cite_ref-Soccerdummies_37-2" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-Soccerdummies-37"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>37<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading3"><h3 id="Defensive_midfielder">Defensive midfielder</h3><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Association_football_positions&action=edit&section=10" title="Edit section: Defensive midfielder"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1236090951"><div role="note" class="hatnote navigation-not-searchable">Further information: <a href="/wiki/Midfielder#Defensive_midfielder" title="Midfielder">Midfielder § Defensive midfielder</a></div> <p>A defensive midfielder (holding midfielder or midfield anchor) is a central midfielder who is stationed in front of the defenders to provide more defensive protection, thus "holding back" when the rest of the midfield supports the attack. The defensive midfielder screens the defence by harrying and tackling the opposition teams' attackers and defenders.<sup id="cite_ref-41" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-41"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>41<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> They also help tactically, for instance, by directing opposing attacking players out to the wing where they have more limited influence, and by covering the positions of full-backs, other midfielders and even the centre-backs if they charge up to support the attack.<sup id="cite_ref-42" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-42"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>42<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-43" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-43"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>43<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p><p>Although the duties of defensive midfielders are primarily defensive, some midfielders are deployed as deep-lying playmakers, due to their ability to dictate tempo from a deep position with their passing. Sometimes a defensive midfielder will be paired with a central midfielder who will act as the deep-lying playmaker. Whenever the central midfielder ventures forward the defensive midfielder will hold back.<sup id="cite_ref-Managerbook_44-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-Managerbook-44"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>44<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p><p>Defensive midfielders require good positional sense, <a href="/wiki/Work_rate" title="Work rate">work rate</a>, tackling ability, and anticipation (of player and ball movement) to excel. They also need to possess good passing skills and close control to hold the ball in midfield under sustained pressure.<sup id="cite_ref-45" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-45"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>45<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> Most importantly, defensive midfielders require great stamina as they are the outfield players who cover the greatest distance during a professional match. In top football clubs, a midfielder may cover up to 12 kilometres for a full 90-minute game.<sup id="cite_ref-46" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-46"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>46<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> Deep-lying playmakers typically require a good first touch under opposition pressure and the ability to play long crossfield passes to attacking players further upfield.<sup id="cite_ref-Managerbook_44-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-Managerbook-44"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>44<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading3"><h3 id="Attacking_midfielder">Attacking midfielder</h3><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Association_football_positions&action=edit&section=11" title="Edit section: Attacking midfielder"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1236090951"><div role="note" class="hatnote navigation-not-searchable">Further information: <a href="/wiki/Midfielder#Attacking_midfielder" title="Midfielder">Midfielder § Attacking midfielder</a></div> <p>An attacking midfielder is a midfield player who is positioned in an advanced midfield position, usually between central midfield and the team's forwards, and who has a primarily offensive role.<sup id="cite_ref-Talk_47-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-Talk-47"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>47<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p><p>According to positioning along the field, attacking midfield may be divided into <i>left</i><b>, </b><i>right</i> and <i>central attacking midfield</i> roles. A central attacking midfielder may be referred to as a <i><a href="/wiki/Playmaker" title="Playmaker">playmaker</a></i>,<b> </b>or <i>number ten</i> (due to the association of the <a href="/wiki/Squad_number_(association_football)" title="Squad number (association football)">number 10 shirt</a> with this position).<sup id="cite_ref-48" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-48"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>48<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-49" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-49"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>49<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p><p>These players typically serve as the offensive pivot of the team, and are sometimes said to be "playing in the hole", although this term can also be used to describe the positioning of a deep-lying forward. Their main role is to <a href="/wiki/Assist_(football)" class="mw-redirect" title="Assist (football)">create goal-scoring opportunities</a> using superior vision, control, and technical skill. The attacking midfielder is an important position that requires the player to possess superior technical abilities in terms of passing and, perhaps more importantly, the ability to read the opposing defence in order to deliver defence-splitting passes to the strikers; in addition to their technical and creative ability, they are also usually quick, agile, and mobile players, which aids them in beating opponents during <a href="/wiki/Dribbling" title="Dribbling">dribbling</a> runs.<sup class="noprint Inline-Template Template-Fact" style="white-space:nowrap;">[<i><a href="/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed" title="Wikipedia:Citation needed"><span title="This claim needs references to reliable sources. (October 2023)">citation needed</span></a></i>]</sup> </p><p>Some attacking midfielders are called <i><a href="/wiki/Trequartista" class="mw-redirect" title="Trequartista">trequartistas</a></i> or <i>fantasisti</i> (<a href="/wiki/Italian_language" title="Italian language">Italian</a>: <i lang="it">three-quarter specialist</i>, i.e. a <a href="/wiki/Playmaker" title="Playmaker">playmaker</a> between the forwards and the midfield), known for their deft touch, vision, ability to shoot from range, and passing prowess. However, not all attacking midfielders are trequartistas – some attacking midfielders are very vertical and are essentially auxiliary attackers, i.e. <a href="/wiki/Second_striker" class="mw-redirect" title="Second striker">secondary striker</a>. In Brazil, the offensive playmaker is known as the "meia atacante", whereas in Argentina, it is known as the "enganche".<sup id="cite_ref-50" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-50"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>50<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading3"><h3 id="Wide_midfielder">Wide midfielder</h3><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Association_football_positions&action=edit&section=12" title="Edit section: Wide midfielder"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1236090951"><div role="note" class="hatnote navigation-not-searchable">Further information: <a href="/wiki/Midfielder#Winger" title="Midfielder">Midfielder § Winger</a></div> <p>A wide midfielder (left midfield and right midfield, or generally side midfielder) (historically called left-half and right-half, or wing-half) is a midfielder who is stationed to the left or right of central midfield. Though they are often referred to as wingers, not all players in these positions are stereotypical speedy, touchline hugging players. With the advent of the modern game the traditional outside forwards known as "wingers" were pushed back to wide midfield, though still commonly referred to as wingers. As the game has developed further, some tactical formations (for example, 4–3–3) have used central midfielders deployed in a wider position to provide width, more defensive protection along the flanks and to help compress play in the opponent's half. They will still support attacking play and sometimes be expected to act as a semi-winger.<sup id="cite_ref-51" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-51"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>51<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="Forward">Forward</h2><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Association_football_positions&action=edit&section=13" title="Edit section: Forward"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1236090951"><div role="note" class="hatnote navigation-not-searchable">Main article: <a href="/wiki/Forward_(association_football)" title="Forward (association football)">Forward (association football)</a></div> <figure class="mw-default-size" typeof="mw:File/Thumb"><a href="/wiki/File:Football_in_Bloomington,_Indiana,_1995.jpg" class="mw-file-description"><img src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/42/Football_in_Bloomington%2C_Indiana%2C_1995.jpg/220px-Football_in_Bloomington%2C_Indiana%2C_1995.jpg" decoding="async" width="220" height="150" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/42/Football_in_Bloomington%2C_Indiana%2C_1995.jpg/330px-Football_in_Bloomington%2C_Indiana%2C_1995.jpg 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/42/Football_in_Bloomington%2C_Indiana%2C_1995.jpg/440px-Football_in_Bloomington%2C_Indiana%2C_1995.jpg 2x" data-file-width="3420" data-file-height="2328" /></a><figcaption>The striker (wearing the red shirt) is past the defence (in the white shirts) and is about to take a shot at the goal.</figcaption></figure> <p>Forwards (or strikers) are players who are positioned nearest to the opposing team's goal. The primary responsibility of forwards is to score goals and to create scoring chances for other players. Forwards may also contribute defensively by harrying opposition defenders and goalkeepers whilst not in possession. The most common modern formations include between one and three forwards; for example, a lone striker in a 4–2–3–1, paired strikers in a 4–4–2 or a striker and two wingers in a 4–3–3.<sup id="cite_ref-google78_52-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-google78-52"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>52<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p><p>Coaches will often field one striker who plays on the shoulder of the last opposing <a href="/wiki/Defender_(association_football)" title="Defender (association football)">defender</a> and another attacking forward who plays somewhat deeper and assists in creating goals as well as scoring. The former is sometimes a large striker, typically known as a "target man", who is used either to distract opposing defenders to help teammates score, or to score themselves; the latter is usually of quicker pace, and is required to have some abilities like finding holes in the opposing defence and, sometimes, dribbling. In other cases, strikers will operate on the wings of the field and work their way goalwards. Yet another variation is the replacement of the target man with a striker who can thread through-balls.<sup id="cite_ref-google78_52-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-google78-52"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>52<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p><p>Players who specialise in playing as a target are usually of above-average height with good heading ability and an accurate shot. They tend to be the "outlet" player for both midfielders and defenders, able to "hold the ball up" (retain possession of the ball in an advanced position while teammates run forward to join the attack). They tend to score goals from crosses, often with the head, and can use their body strength to shield the ball while turning to score.<sup id="cite_ref-Specialstrikers_53-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-Specialstrikers-53"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>53<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p><p>Other forwards may rely on their pace to run onto long balls passed over or through the opposition defence, rather than collecting the ball with their back to goal like a target man. Some forwards can play both of these roles equally well.<sup id="cite_ref-Specialstrikers_53-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-Specialstrikers-53"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>53<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading3"><h3 id="Second_striker">Second striker</h3><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Association_football_positions&action=edit&section=14" title="Edit section: Second striker"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <p>The second striker has a long history in the game, but the terminology to describe them has varied over the years. Originally such players were termed <a href="/wiki/Center_forward" class="mw-redirect" title="Center forward">inside forwards</a>. More recently, the preferred terms have been second striker, support striker, deep-lying forward, shadow striker, or withdrawn striker, and are often referred to as playing "in the hole" (i.e. the space between the midfield and the defence of the opposing team). Second strikers tend not to be as tall or as physically imposing as a centre forward.<sup id="cite_ref-Soccer_positions_explained_54-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-Soccer_positions_explained-54"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>54<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> They are required to be more "nippy", quick, mobile, and skillful, helping to <a href="/wiki/Assist_(football)" class="mw-redirect" title="Assist (football)">create goals</a> and scoring opportunities for centre forwards, utilising spaces created in the opposition's defence to provide passes to the strikers, picking up loose balls around the area, or attempting to dribble with the ball and score themselves.<sup id="cite_ref-Soccer_positions_explained_54-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-Soccer_positions_explained-54"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>54<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p><p>The position was initially developed by the famous Hungary national team of the late 1940s and mid-1950s led by <a href="/wiki/Ferenc_Pusk%C3%A1s" title="Ferenc Puskás">Ferenc Puskás</a>. Later, it was popularised in Italian football as the <i>trequartista</i> ("three-quarters") or <i>fantasista</i>, the advanced <a href="/wiki/Playmaker" title="Playmaker">playmaker</a> who plays neither in midfield nor as a forward, but effectively pulls the strings for their team's attack, and serves as an assist provider.<sup id="cite_ref-Managerbook31_55-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-Managerbook31-55"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>55<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> Many players in this position can play in a free role, as an attacking midfielder or sometimes on the <a href="/wiki/Winger_(association_football)" class="mw-redirect" title="Winger (association football)">wing</a>. The position has also been known as the <a href="/wiki/Squad_number_(association_football)" title="Squad number (association football)">number 10</a> role, as many players who played in this position wore the number 10 jersey.<sup class="noprint Inline-Template Template-Fact" style="white-space:nowrap;">[<i><a href="/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed" title="Wikipedia:Citation needed"><span title="This claim needs references to reliable sources. (October 2023)">citation needed</span></a></i>]</sup> </p><p>Whatever the terminology, the position itself is a loosely defined one, a player who lies somewhere between the out-and-out striker and the midfield, who can perform this role effectively due to their vision, technical skills, creativity, and passing ability. Such a player is either a skillful, <a href="/wiki/Attacking_midfielder" class="mw-redirect" title="Attacking midfielder">attack-minded midfielder</a> or a creative <a href="/wiki/Forward_(association_football)" title="Forward (association football)">striker</a> who can both score and create opportunities for centre forwards, although a second striker will often not be involved in build-up plays as much as an attacking midfielder. As the supporting forward role was popularised in Italy due to free-role attacking midfielders adapting to a more advanced position in the tactically rigorous 4–4–2 formations of the 1990s, their defensive contribution is also usually higher than that of a pure number ten playmaker.<sup id="cite_ref-eatsport.net_56-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-eatsport.net-56"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>56<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> In Italy, this role is also known as a "rifinitore" or "seconda punta",<sup id="cite_ref-eatsport.net_56-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-eatsport.net-56"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>56<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> whereas in Brazil, it is known as a "ponte de lança".<sup id="cite_ref-57" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-57"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>57<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading3"><h3 id="Centre_forward">Centre forward</h3><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Association_football_positions&action=edit&section=15" title="Edit section: Centre forward"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <p>A centre forward has the key task of scoring goals and for this reason acts as the focal point of the majority of attacking play by a team. As such, how well a striker is performing tends to be measured purely on goals scored despite the fact that they may be contributing in other ways to a team's success. A traditional centre forward was required to be tall in height and strong physically in order to be able to win the ball in the area from crosses and attempt to score with either their feet or head, or to knock the ball down for a teammate to score. Whilst these assets are still an advantage, in the modern game speed and movement are also required as there is more interplay when attacking.<sup id="cite_ref-Specialcentreforwards_58-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-Specialcentreforwards-58"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>58<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> In a 4–4–2 or 4–4–1–1 formation the centre forward is often paired with a second striker who may play around them or in a slightly withdrawn role respectively, though it is not unknown to play two recognised centre forwards.<sup id="cite_ref-59" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-59"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>59<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p><p>Sometimes a team may opt on a more defensive formation such as 4–5–1 in which the centre forward is required to play a "lone role" up front. In these cases a team may look for opportunities to counter-attack on the break and the centre forward may find themselves attacking the goal on their own with just a defender to beat or alternatively they may hold the ball up in the opponent's half to allow other players to join in the attack. Modern footballing tactics have made more use of 4–3–3 and 4–2–3–1 formations.<sup id="cite_ref-Specialcentreforwards_58-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-Specialcentreforwards-58"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>58<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> Here the centre forward may be involved more with the attacking build up play, supported by wingers (who often come infield) and attacking midfielders. The play uses more shorter, quick passes with movement off the ball, looking to create an opening on goal.<sup id="cite_ref-60" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-60"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>60<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading3"><h3 id="Winger">Winger</h3><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Association_football_positions&action=edit&section=16" title="Edit section: Winger"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <figure class="mw-default-size" typeof="mw:File/Thumb"><a href="/wiki/File:Caroline_Graham_Hansen_20181118.jpg" class="mw-file-description"><img src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/af/Caroline_Graham_Hansen_20181118.jpg/220px-Caroline_Graham_Hansen_20181118.jpg" decoding="async" width="220" height="147" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/af/Caroline_Graham_Hansen_20181118.jpg/330px-Caroline_Graham_Hansen_20181118.jpg 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/af/Caroline_Graham_Hansen_20181118.jpg/440px-Caroline_Graham_Hansen_20181118.jpg 2x" data-file-width="1200" data-file-height="800" /></a><figcaption>Winger <a href="/wiki/Caroline_Graham_Hansen" title="Caroline Graham Hansen">Caroline Graham Hansen</a> is known for her dribbling ability, an important quality in wingers.<sup id="cite_ref-61" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-61"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>61<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup></figcaption></figure> <p>A winger (left winger and right winger) (historically called outside-left and outside-right, or outside forward) is an attacking player who is stationed in a wide position near the touchlines. They can be classified as forwards, considering their origin as the old <a href="/wiki/Outside_forward" class="mw-redirect" title="Outside forward">outside forward</a> who played out on the "wing" (i.e. side of the pitch). They continue to be termed as such in many parts of the world, especially in Latin and Dutch footballing cultures. However, in the English-speaking world, they are usually counted as part of the midfield having been pushed back there with the advent of the 4–4–2 formation which gradually rose to prominence in the 1960s, given the role's additional defensive duties.<sup id="cite_ref-Greatestwingers_62-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-Greatestwingers-62"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>62<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> A winger's main attribute is usually speed which is used to attack and dribble past opponent's full-backs in order to get behind the defence and to then deliver crosses and passes into the centre for their attackers.<sup id="cite_ref-Managerbook30_63-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-Managerbook30-63"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>63<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> Occasionally left and right footed wingers may swap sides of the field as a tactical move to enable the winger to cut inside against the opposing full-back's weaker foot, looking for a shooting opportunity or just as a means of opening up the defence. Clubs such as <a href="/wiki/FC_Barcelona" title="FC Barcelona">Barcelona</a> and <a href="/wiki/Real_Madrid_C.F." class="mw-redirect" title="Real Madrid C.F.">Real Madrid</a> often choose to play their wingers on the 'wrong' flank for this reason.<sup id="cite_ref-Greatestwingers_62-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-Greatestwingers-62"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>62<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p><p>Although wingers are a familiar part of football, the use of wingers is by no means universal, and many successful teams have operated without wingers. At the <a href="/wiki/1966_FIFA_World_Cup" title="1966 FIFA World Cup">1966 World Cup</a>, <a href="/wiki/England_national_football_team" title="England national football team">England</a> manager <a href="/wiki/Alf_Ramsey" title="Alf Ramsey">Alf Ramsey</a> led a team without natural wingers to the title; this was unusual enough at the time for the team to be nicknamed "The Wingless Wonders".<sup id="cite_ref-64" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-64"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>64<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> A more recent example is that of Italian club <a href="/wiki/A.C._Milan" class="mw-redirect" title="A.C. Milan">Milan</a>, who have typically played in a narrow midfield diamond formation or in a "Christmas tree" formation (4–3–2–1), relying on attacking full-backs to provide the necessary width down the wings.<sup id="cite_ref-65" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-65"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>65<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="See_also">See also</h2><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Association_football_positions&action=edit&section=17" title="Edit section: See also"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Association_football_formations" class="mw-redirect" title="Association football formations">Association football formations</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Association_football_tactics" class="mw-redirect" title="Association football tactics">Association football tactics</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Bandy" title="Bandy">Bandy</a>, a hockey sport in which much the same positions are used as in association football</li></ul> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="References">References</h2><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Association_football_positions&action=edit&section=18" title="Edit section: References"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <style data-mw-deduplicate="TemplateStyles:r1239543626">.mw-parser-output .reflist{margin-bottom:0.5em;list-style-type:decimal}@media screen{.mw-parser-output .reflist{font-size:90%}}.mw-parser-output .reflist .references{font-size:100%;margin-bottom:0;list-style-type:inherit}.mw-parser-output .reflist-columns-2{column-width:30em}.mw-parser-output .reflist-columns-3{column-width:25em}.mw-parser-output .reflist-columns{margin-top:0.3em}.mw-parser-output .reflist-columns ol{margin-top:0}.mw-parser-output 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Archived from <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://footballsgreatest.weebly.com/centre-forwards.html">the original</a> on 15 September 2012<span class="reference-accessdate">. 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Retrieved <span class="nowrap">11 July</span> 2008</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=unknown&rft.btitle=Sir+Alf+Ramsey&rft.pub=National+Football+Museum&rft.aulast=Galvin&rft.aufirst=Robert&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nationalfootballmuseum.com%2Fpages%2Ffame%2FInductees%2Fsiralframsey.htm&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AAssociation+football+positions" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-65"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-65">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation news cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20140827092125/http://performance.fourfourtwo.com/tactics/defending-against-a-4-3-2-1">"Defending against a 4-3-2-1"</a>. <i>performance.fourfourtwo.com</i>. 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Retrieved <span class="nowrap">26 August</span> 2014</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=performance.fourfourtwo.com&rft.atitle=Defending+against+a+4-3-2-1&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fperformance.fourfourtwo.com%2Ftactics%2Fdefending-against-a-4-3-2-1&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AAssociation+football+positions" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> </ol></div></div> <style data-mw-deduplicate="TemplateStyles:r1235681985">.mw-parser-output .side-box{margin:4px 0;box-sizing:border-box;border:1px solid #aaa;font-size:88%;line-height:1.25em;background-color:var(--background-color-interactive-subtle,#f8f9fa);display:flow-root}.mw-parser-output .side-box-abovebelow,.mw-parser-output .side-box-text{padding:0.25em 0.9em}.mw-parser-output .side-box-image{padding:2px 0 2px 0.9em;text-align:center}.mw-parser-output .side-box-imageright{padding:2px 0.9em 2px 0;text-align:center}@media(min-width:500px){.mw-parser-output .side-box-flex{display:flex;align-items:center}.mw-parser-output .side-box-text{flex:1;min-width:0}}@media(min-width:720px){.mw-parser-output .side-box{width:238px}.mw-parser-output .side-box-right{clear:right;float:right;margin-left:1em}.mw-parser-output .side-box-left{margin-right:1em}}</style><style data-mw-deduplicate="TemplateStyles:r1237033735">@media print{body.ns-0 .mw-parser-output .sistersitebox{display:none!important}}@media screen{html.skin-theme-clientpref-night .mw-parser-output .sistersitebox img[src*="Wiktionary-logo-en-v2.svg"]{background-color:white}}@media screen and (prefers-color-scheme:dark){html.skin-theme-clientpref-os .mw-parser-output .sistersitebox img[src*="Wiktionary-logo-en-v2.svg"]{background-color:white}}</style><div class="side-box side-box-right plainlinks sistersitebox"><style data-mw-deduplicate="TemplateStyles:r1126788409">.mw-parser-output .plainlist ol,.mw-parser-output .plainlist 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positions</a></span>.</div></div> </div> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="Further_reading">Further reading</h2><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Association_football_positions&action=edit&section=19" title="Edit section: Further reading"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <ul><li><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11424-013-2286-z">Science of winning soccer: Emergent pattern-forming dynamics in association football</a>. <i>Journal of Systems Science and Complexity</i>, Vol. 26, 2013 p. 73–84</li></ul> <div class="navbox-styles"><style data-mw-deduplicate="TemplateStyles:r1129693374">.mw-parser-output .hlist dl,.mw-parser-output .hlist ol,.mw-parser-output .hlist ul{margin:0;padding:0}.mw-parser-output .hlist dd,.mw-parser-output .hlist dt,.mw-parser-output .hlist li{margin:0;display:inline}.mw-parser-output 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href="/wiki/Template:Association_football_tactics_and_skills" title="Template:Association football tactics and skills"><abbr title="View this template">v</abbr></a></li><li class="nv-talk"><a href="/wiki/Template_talk:Association_football_tactics_and_skills" title="Template talk:Association football tactics and skills"><abbr title="Discuss this template">t</abbr></a></li><li class="nv-edit"><a href="/wiki/Special:EditPage/Template:Association_football_tactics_and_skills" title="Special:EditPage/Template:Association football tactics and skills"><abbr title="Edit this template">e</abbr></a></li></ul></div><div id="Association_football_tactics_and_skills" style="font-size:114%;margin:0 4em"><a href="/wiki/Association_football" title="Association football">Association football</a> <a href="/wiki/Association_football_tactics_and_skills" title="Association football tactics and skills">tactics and skills</a></div></th></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:1%">General</th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-odd hlist" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li><a class="mw-selflink selflink">Position</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Formation_(association_football)" title="Formation (association football)">Formation</a></li></ul> </div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:1%">Philosophy</th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-even hlist" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Anti-football" title="Anti-football">Anti-football</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Total_Football" title="Total Football">Total Football</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Tiki-taka" title="Tiki-taka">Tiki-taka</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Zona_mista" title="Zona mista">Zona mista</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Combination_Game" title="Combination Game">Combination Game</a></li></ul> </div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:1%">Offensive tactics</th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-odd hlist" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Flo_pass" title="Flo pass">Flo pass</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Long_ball" title="Long ball">Long ball</a></li></ul> </div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:1%">Defensive tactics</th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-even hlist" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Catenaccio" title="Catenaccio">Catenaccio</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Marking_(association_football)" title="Marking (association football)">Man-to-man marking</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Marking_(association_football)" title="Marking (association football)">Zonal marking</a></li></ul> </div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:1%">Basic skills</th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-odd hlist" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Kick_(association_football)" title="Kick (association football)">Kicking</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Dribbling" title="Dribbling">Dribbling</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Passing_(association_football)" title="Passing (association football)">Passing</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Shooting_(association_football)" title="Shooting (association football)">Shooting</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Sliding_tackle" title="Sliding tackle">Tackling</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Header_(association_football)" title="Header (association football)">Heading</a></li></ul> </div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:1%">Advanced skills</th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-even hlist" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Bicycle_kick" title="Bicycle kick">Bicycle kick</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Cruyff_turn" title="Cruyff turn">Cruyff turn</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Curl_(association_football)" title="Curl (association football)">Curl</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Flip_flap_(association_football)" title="Flip flap (association football)">Flip flap</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Keepie_uppie" title="Keepie uppie">Keepie uppie</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Marseille_turn" title="Marseille turn">Marseille turn</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Nutmeg_(association_football)" title="Nutmeg (association football)">Nutmeg</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Panenka_(penalty_kick)" title="Panenka (penalty kick)">Panenka</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Rabona" title="Rabona">Rabona</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Rainbow_kick" title="Rainbow kick">Rainbow kick</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Runaround_move" title="Runaround move">Runaround move</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Scorpion_kick_(association_football)" title="Scorpion kick (association football)">Scorpion kick</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Seal_dribble" title="Seal dribble">Seal dribble</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Step_over" title="Step over">Step over</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Volley_(association_football)" title="Volley (association football)">Volley</a></li></ul> </div></td></tr><tr><td class="navbox-abovebelow hlist" colspan="2"><div> <ul><li><span class="noviewer" typeof="mw:File"><span title="Category"><img alt="" src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/9/96/Symbol_category_class.svg/16px-Symbol_category_class.svg.png" decoding="async" width="16" height="16" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/9/96/Symbol_category_class.svg/23px-Symbol_category_class.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/9/96/Symbol_category_class.svg/31px-Symbol_category_class.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="180" data-file-height="185" /></span></span></li></ul> </div></td></tr></tbody></table></div> <div class="navbox-styles"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1129693374"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1236075235"></div><div role="navigation" class="navbox" aria-labelledby="Association_football_terminology" style="padding:3px"><table class="nowraplinks mw-collapsible autocollapse navbox-inner" style="border-spacing:0;background:transparent;color:inherit"><tbody><tr><th scope="col" class="navbox-title" colspan="2"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1129693374"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1239400231"><div class="navbar plainlinks hlist navbar-mini"><ul><li class="nv-view"><a href="/wiki/Template:Association_football_terminology" title="Template:Association football terminology"><abbr title="View this template">v</abbr></a></li><li class="nv-talk"><a href="/wiki/Template_talk:Association_football_terminology" title="Template talk:Association football terminology"><abbr title="Discuss this template">t</abbr></a></li><li class="nv-edit"><a href="/wiki/Special:EditPage/Template:Association_football_terminology" title="Special:EditPage/Template:Association football terminology"><abbr title="Edit this template">e</abbr></a></li></ul></div><div id="Association_football_terminology" style="font-size:114%;margin:0 4em"><a href="/wiki/Association_football" title="Association football">Association football</a> <a href="/wiki/Glossary_of_association_football_terms" title="Glossary of association football terms">terminology</a></div></th></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:1%"><a href="/wiki/Glossary_of_association_football_terms" title="Glossary of association football terms">Terms</a></th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-odd hlist" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Expected_goals" title="Expected goals">Expected goals</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Formation_(association_football)" title="Formation (association football)">Formations</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Laws_of_the_Game_(association_football)" title="Laws of the Game (association football)">Laws</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/List_of_association_football_media" title="List of association football media">Media</a></li> <li><a class="mw-selflink selflink">Positions</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Association_football_tactics" class="mw-redirect" title="Association football tactics">Tactics</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Variants_of_association_football" class="mw-redirect" title="Variants of association football">Variants</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Comparison_of_association_football_and_futsal" title="Comparison of association football and futsal">Comparison with futsal</a></li></ul> </div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:1%">Philosophy</th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-even hlist" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Anti-football" title="Anti-football">Anti-football</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Total_Football" title="Total Football">Total Football</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Catenaccio" title="Catenaccio">Catenaccio</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Tiki-taka" title="Tiki-taka">Tiki-taka</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Zona_mista" title="Zona mista">Zona mista</a></li></ul> </div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:1%">Advanced skills</th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-odd hlist" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Behind_the_leg_flip_flap" class="mw-redirect" title="Behind the leg flip flap">Behind the leg flip flap</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Bicycle_kick" title="Bicycle kick">Bicycle kick</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Cruyff_turn" title="Cruyff turn">Cruyff turn</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Curl_(association_football)" title="Curl (association football)">Curl</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Flip_flap_(association_football)" title="Flip flap (association football)">Flip flap</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Keepie_uppie" title="Keepie uppie">Keepie uppie</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Marseille_turn" title="Marseille turn">Marseille turn</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Nutmeg_(association_football)" title="Nutmeg (association football)">Nutmeg</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Panenka_(penalty_kick)" title="Panenka (penalty kick)">Panenka</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Rabona" title="Rabona">Rabona</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Rainbow_kick" title="Rainbow kick">Rainbow kick</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Runaround_move" title="Runaround move">Runaround move</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Scorpion_kick_(association_football)" title="Scorpion kick (association football)">Scorpion kick</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Seal_dribble" title="Seal dribble">Seal dribble</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Step_over" title="Step over">Step over</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Volley_(association_football)" title="Volley (association football)">Volley</a></li></ul> </div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:1%"><a href="/wiki/List_of_sportspeople_by_nickname#Association_football" class="mw-redirect" title="List of sportspeople by nickname">Nicknames</a></th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-even hlist" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/List_of_national_association_football_teams_by_nickname" title="List of national association football teams by nickname">National teams</a> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/List_of_CAF_national_association_football_teams_by_nickname" title="List of CAF national association football teams by nickname">Africa</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/List_of_AFC_national_association_football_teams_by_nickname" title="List of AFC national association football teams by nickname">Asia</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/List_of_UEFA_national_association_football_teams_by_nickname" title="List of UEFA national association football teams by nickname">Europe</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/List_of_CONCACAF_national_association_football_teams_by_nickname" title="List of CONCACAF national association football teams by nickname">North America</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/List_of_OFC_national_association_football_teams_by_nickname" title="List of OFC national association football teams by nickname">Oceania</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/List_of_CONMEBOL_national_association_football_teams_by_nickname" title="List of CONMEBOL national association football teams by nickname">South America</a></li> <li><i><a href="/wiki/List_of_non-FIFA_and_former_national_association_football_teams_by_nickname" title="List of non-FIFA and former national association football teams by nickname">Non-FIFA and former</a></i></li></ul></li></ul> </div></td></tr></tbody></table></div>    </div><noscript><img src="https://login.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:CentralAutoLogin/start?type=1x1" alt="" width="1" height="1" style="border: none; position: absolute;"></noscript> <div class="printfooter" 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