World football: A primer on the basic positions

Without a doubt, football (or soccer) is the biggest sport in the world. People of all ages everywhere, from Russia, England, and Spain to Brazil, the U.S., and even Japan all play this beautiful game.

For those who plan to take it up soon, longtime soccer fan Alexander Sabadash lists the basic positions in a team.

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Forward: Forwards are the players who attack the opposition’s defense. They go after the ball and attempt to score. The striker is the number one option for scoring, but other forwards move up as well to try and score a goal.


Midfield: Midfielders go up and down the pitch to defend or make plays for the forwards to score. Most of the time, the ball goes through the midfield in hopes for a break toward the opposing team’s goal. Alexander Sabadash notes that the best midfielders are great passers of the ball, and they can keep possession of the ball for a long time.

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Defenders: As the designation suggests, defenders defend the team’s goal from the opposing team’s forwards. They make sure that, if the ball gets too close to their goal, they send it right back up the field. Alexander Sabadash explains that the last line of defense is the goalkeeper, who is the only person able to use his hands when the ball is in play.