The game of soccer requires some logical organization to the 10 players in the field in front of the 11th player, the goalie. In the 1870s, teams played one defender, one midfielder and eight forwards aligned in a row, but that style long ago gave way to a prevailing 4-4-2 formation, with four defenders and midfielders and two forwards. If you are coaching a team or playing on one, you know there is no single center position in soccer: Instead, central defenders and center midfielders in a 4-4-2 work the middle rather than the wings of the field.
Considerations
The players in the middle of the field, from the goalkeeper to the central forward, form the spine of the team and tend to be your strongest, tallest players. "Size is not critical in soccer, but it is helpful to goalkeepers, central defenders and center forwards," writes University of North Carolina Greensboro coach Michael Parker in "Premier Soccer." While teams prefer size in the players occupying the center positions, it is not essential. Quickness, bravery and intelligence can counter a height deficiency, he observes.
Center Midfielders
In the 4-4-2 formation, the four midfielders include a right and left midfielder on the wings and two center midfielders. The talents of the two center midfielders should complement each other, writes coach Joe Luxbacher in "Soccer: Steps to Success." One plays a more attacking role, while the other operates a bit more defensively. The attacking center mid acts as a de facto quarterback of the team, receiving passes from the defense and feeding the ball forward to the forwards after surveying his options. France's men's team that won the 1998 World Cup featured two of modern soccer's best center midfielders, with Zinedine Zidane in an attacking role and Emmanuel Petit, his defensive partner, providing tough containment and clever long passes to the front.
Central Defense
As with the paired center midfielders, two players share the central defense, flanked by a right and a left fullback. Teams can play all four defenders flat across the back or drop a sweeper a step closer to the goal than the three others. The sweeper acts as a leader of the defense, "who reads the game well, organizes the defense, organizes the offside trap and initiates counterattacks with intelligent passes out of the back," writes Georgia Soccer's director of coaching, Jacob Daniel, in "The Complete Guide to Coaching Soccer Systems and Tactics."
Expert Insight
Daniel agrees with the prevailing wisdom that central defenders also ideally are big, strong players. Still, at the high school level, as coach you should put your best talent in the middle positions regardless of size, advises UNC-Greensboro's Parker. Look for strength and athleticism if you can't find size in the center positions.
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