How to Choose the Perfect Soccer Position for You

The popularity of soccer - both in interest and participation - is growing rapidly in the US, with 7 percent of the population citing it as their favorite sport to watch, according to a Gallup poll. The expansion of the Major League Soccer (MLS) has played a key role in the growth of the sport, and with plans underway to establish a national presence in the coming years, soccer is expected to experience even more growth and could even become the most popular sport in the US as it is in the rest of the world. If you are interested in playing soccer - whether professionally or just for fun - the first thing you have to decide is which position to play so that you can start training for it. There are three main positions to consider, and choosing the right one could determine how good or bad you are the sport. 

The defending position 

As the name suggests, a defender's job is to prevent the opponents from scoring goals. There are two types of defenders namely wing-backs and center backs. Center backs typically defend against anyone that attempts to or comes into the 18-yard box, and they are usually involved in constant battles with the opposing team's striker. The wing-backs are tasked with defending attacks that come from either wing, and they usually face off against the opposition's wingers. However, as the game has evolved, wing-backs are being involved more in the attack by providing crosses into the opponent's box. To become a center back, you need to be tall and strong enough to stand your ground when battling against fierce opponents. To become a full back, you also need to be strong and fairly fast to be able to keep up with the wingers. Any defensive position requires a lot of bravery and the ability to read the game. 

The midfield position 

The midfielders are arguably the most important players on the field and their main role is to act as a bridge between the defensive players and the attackers. There are three types of midfield positions; holding, attacking, and defensive midfielders. A defensive midfielder is usually the first line of defense and their job is to break down the opponent's play and stop attacks before they get dangerously close to the goal. A holding midfielder's job is to maintain ball possession by passing the ball accurately and getting into positions where the player with the ball can find them easily.

An attacking midfielder's job is to carry the ball from the midfield into attacking areas and to pass to the attacking players in search of a goal. Whichever role you have in the midfield, you'll need to be comfortable on the ball and able to pass accurately, both in the short and long-range. You'll also benefit from having a personality that allows you to remain calm under pressure and being observant enough to understand the complex systems involved in a soccer match. 

The attacking position 

Attacking players have one job; to score a goal or pass to the player who scores the goal. If you want to become an attacking player, you have a choice between playing as a winger or a forward. Wingers operate on either side of the attack, and their job is to beat the opponent's defenders and pass into the box or score if they're in a good position. Wingers typically need speed and above-average dribbling skills to beat defenders, not to mention the vision to be able to spot attacking runs and immediately deliver a good pass or cross.

The forwards or strikers as they're commonly referred to as are usually the players with the highest scoring ability. They operate within or close to the box and are always trying to get into positions where they can easily put the ball into the back of the net once they receive it. As a striker, you need to possess the shot power and accuracy to get goals as well as the strength, dribbling, and speed to beat defenders. 

Although it is possible to play more than one position in soccer, it is important to figure out which position suits you best early so that you can start working on the skills most valuable for it. However, keep in mind that even if you don't fit the profile of a certain position, you can still excel in it through hard work, dedication, and guidance from a good coach.