📋 Football Positions Explained — Complete Guide
📑 Table of Contents
└ Goalkeeper GK└ Centre-Back CB└ Full-Back LBRB└ Defensive Midfielder CDM└ Central Midfielder CM└ Winger LWRW└ Striker STCF└ Explore MoreGoalkeeper (GK)
The last line of defense. Goalkeepers are the only players allowed to use their hands inside the 18-yard box. Modern keepers also need to be good with their feet — sweeper-keepers like Neuer revolutionized the position by acting as an extra outfield player.
Centre-Back (CB)
The central defenders. Their job is to stop the opposition from scoring. Headers, tackles, positioning, and composure under pressure. A great CB reads the game before it happens. Van Dijk made it look easy — it's not.
Full-Back (LB/RB)
Once boring defensive players, now some of the most important attacking weapons. Trent Alexander-Arnold creates more chances than most midfielders. The modern full-back overlaps, crosses, and sometimes even inverts into midfield.
Defensive Midfielder (CDM)
The shield in front of the defense. They break up play, win the ball back, and recycle possession. Makelele was so good at this role that it was literally named after him. Rodri won the 2024 Ballon d'Or playing here.
Central Midfielder (CM)
The engine room. Box-to-box midfielders cover every blade of grass, contributing to both attack and defense. The best ones can score, assist, tackle, and dictate tempo. The most physically demanding position on the pitch.
Winger (LW/RW)
Speed, skill, and direct running. Wingers take on defenders 1v1, beat them with pace or trickery, and create chances or score goals. The best ones are inverted — right-footed on the left, cutting inside to shoot.
Striker (ST/CF)
One job: score goals. The best strikers have an instinct for being in the right place at the right time. Haaland scores from 2 yards, Thierry Henry scored from 20. Both are valid approaches.