Ways to use this list
- Youth coaches: each child spins a position for the first half with "Remove the winner" on, so everyone tries a new role.
- Small-sided games at practice: press 7-a-side or 5-a-side and spin until every player has exactly one role.
- Learn the pitch: spin, and the player must jog to where that position stands before the coach counts to five.
- Spanish class with a sporty twist: press Spanish names and match each one to its English position.
- Share goalkeeping fairly: whoever lands on Goalkeeper goes in goal for ten minutes, then the wheel picks again.
Press Spin the wheel, tap the game or press the Space bar. Change the list in the box as you
like: add your own, delete what doesn't suit you, or write *2 after an entry to give it double the
chance. The game buttons switch the same list to a duck race, hat, claw machine and more.
The full list (11 entries)
- Goalkeeper – GK, number 1: the only player who may handle the ball, inside their own penalty area
- Right back – RB, traditionally 2: defends the right side and overlaps to support attacks
- Right centre-back – CB, often 5: wins headers and tackles in the middle of the defence
- Left centre-back – CB, often 4 or 6: partners the other centre-back and starts moves from the back
- Left back – LB, traditionally 3: defends the left side and supports the left winger
- Defensive midfielder – DM, often 6: shields the defence and breaks up the other team's attacks
- Central midfielder – CM, often 8: links defence and attack, running from box to box
- Attacking midfielder – AM, often 10: plays behind the striker and creates chances
- Right winger – RW, often 7: runs at defenders down the right and crosses the ball
- Left winger – LW, often 11: attacks down the left, cutting inside or crossing
- Striker – ST, often 9: the main goalscorer, leading the line
📖 Related guide: How to make fair random teams
Questions people ask
What are the positions in soccer?
There are four groups: the goalkeeper, defenders (centre-backs and full-backs), midfielders (defensive, central and attacking) and forwards (wingers and strikers). A team of 11 picks a mix of these called a formation, such as 4-3-3 or 4-4-2.
What do soccer position numbers mean?
Shirt numbers once matched positions in the line-up: 1 for the goalkeeper, 2 and 3 for the full-backs, 9 for the centre-forward and 11 for the left winger. Many teams still use them as shorthand, though the exact meaning varies by country.
What does a formation like 4-3-3 mean?
The numbers count outfield players from the back: four defenders, three midfielders and three forwards. The goalkeeper is never included, which is why the numbers in an 11-a-side formation always add up to 10.
What are the soccer positions in Spanish?
In Spain the goalkeeper is the portero, centre-backs are defensas centrales, full-backs are laterales, midfielders mediocentros and the striker the delantero centro. In much of Latin America you will also hear arquero for goalkeeper.
Which soccer position is best for a beginner?
Any of them, which is why spinning works well at the start. Young players learn the game fastest when they rotate, so a defender this week can be a winger next week.