Whether you are watching or playing indoor soccer, it is helpful to know and understand the positions of the players on the field.
Not only will this make the game more enjoyable, but it can also make you a better fan, player, or coach.
Although the majority of indoor soccer games are played with six players on each team, indoor soccer can be played with 5, 6, or 7 players on each team, depending on the rules of the competition.
The more players involved, the more positions there are in indoor soccer.
Below are all the seven possible positions you will find in an indoor soccer game.
Indoor soccer positions:
- Goalkeeper (GK)
- Right Defender (RD)
- Left Defender (LD)
- Right Midfielder/Winger (RM)
- Central Midfielder (CM)
- Left Midfielder/Winger (LM)
- Striker/Center Forward (ST/CF)
These seven positions are a part of 4 major position categories in indoor soccer:
Category | Positions |
Goalkeeper | Goalkeeper |
Defenders | Right defender, left defender |
Forwards | Striker |
Midfielders | Right midfielder, central midfielder, left midfielder |
Knowing the name of each position is a start, but you also need to understand the role and responsibilities of each position if you really want to enjoy the game.
So keep reading as I will be explaining the responsibilities of each position on the field, where they are usually located, and how they play.
Indoor Soccer Positions
1. Goalkeeper
Responsibilities:
The responsibility of the goalie in indoor soccer is to stop the ball before it crosses the goal line and prevent an opponent from scoring a goal.
Location on the field:
The goalkeeper stands anywhere within the area next to the goal line all the way to the edge of the penalty area.
Description:
Goalkeepers, also referred to as “goalies,” have a great responsibility to fulfill for their team. Therefore, their mental and physical qualities have to be sharp for them to be able to carry out their role.
They are in charge of intercepting or stopping the ball before it crosses the final line.
Their ultimate objective is to stop the opponent from scoring a goal in the net.
They must also maintain great communication with their teammates as they observe their opponents’ movements and warn their teammates to help them counter their opponent’s moves.
A goalkeeper’s role in indoor soccer is often considered to be one that is the hardest and involves the most pressure since these players have to learn a unique set of skills and use them effectively.
2. Right Defender
Responsibilities:
The right-sided defender in indoor soccer must stop the opposite team from crossing the ball into the center of the field.
They are also responsible for keeping their opponents away from their team’s goal.
Location on the field:
The right defender plays on the right-hand side of the field, closer to the goalie.
Description:
Right defenders are responsible for keeping their opponents out of “danger” areas and stopping them from passing the ball near the goal.
They do this by luring their opponent away or legally blocking them.
The right defender is positioned on the right side of the pitch, in front of the goalie.
They cover against counter-attacks by mostly staying in their position. At the same time, they must be quick to transition back if they do leave their positions.
Defenders in indoor soccer must have good communication skills.
Due to their position, they can see most of the field, which means they have the opportunity to communicate with their teammates and warn them about dangerous movements from the other team.
3. Left Defender
Responsibilities:
The left-sided defender in indoor soccer is responsible for preventing offensive moves from the opposition down the left side of the indoor soccer field.
Location on the field:
The left defender is positioned on the left-hand side of the field, near the goalkeeper.
Description:
Much like the right defender, the role of a left defender is to defend, but they are also required to provide effective cover if the ball is on the opposite wing.
They must track the ball, keep an eye on their opposing players and late runners to the back post, and open their bodies toward the play.
Their coach will often assign them to mark the opposing right winger, preventing them from getting free and sending in a shot on goal.
They also must cover any players that enter their designated zone and intercept passes from their opponents.
They need to get rid of the ball when it is in their zone and try to stop the ball from going out of play.
The left defender position also has one more responsibility: to get the ball back into play after a stoppage.
When a foul or timeout is called, this player will also be responsible for putting the ball in play again by kicking it back into the center of the field.
4. Right Midfielder/Winger
Responsibilities:
The role of the right midfielder, or winger, is to support forward players by creating goal-scoring opportunities.
Location on the field:
On the right wing, or edge, of the pitch.
Description:
A right midfielder in indoor soccer has a variety of responsibilities, but they mostly revolve around creating scoring opportunities for their team.
Players in this position are responsible for pressuring the opposing defenders when they have the ball to make them give it up.
They must run up and down the field as fast as possible so that they are in a position to receive passes and get the ball into the penalty area.
They also must have the ability to finish when given the opportunity in front of the goal.
Likewise, they have to know when to back off of a defender because if they can get the ball, then they may score an easy goal for the team.
Taking advantage of the wall in indoor soccer is key when you are a midfielder. Although similar, this is one way that indoor soccer differs from futsal and outdoor soccer.
5. Central Midfielder
Responsibilities:
A central midfielder’s role in indoor soccer is to constantly be in a position to receive and pass the ball. They also have the responsibility of disrupting the play of the opposition.
Location on the field:
In and around the center of the field.
Description:
A central midfielder in an indoor soccer game has the dual responsibility of creating scoring opportunities and helping defend when the opposing team has the ball.
Players in that position act as a bridge between defense and attack for the team.
Therefore, they must be skilled enough to easily pass the ball, steal it away from opposing players, and make strong tackles when necessary.
Midfielders can move freely up and down the field during play.
These players must be all-around skilled because they will be called upon to perform various tasks in each phase of play, depending on their team’s situation.
This position requires players to have a good sense of the field, make quick decisions on where to go with the ball, and anticipate where opponents are going next.
6. Left Midfielder/Winger
Responsibilities:
The left-sided midfielder, or winger, is responsible for covering the left side of the field and providing support for other players.
Location on the field:
On the left wing, or edge, of the field.
Description:
A left midfielder’s responsibilities in indoor soccer are very similar to those of a left-winger in outdoor soccer.
They play on the left side of the field and try to create scoring opportunities for their team by crossing the ball into the box or taking scoring shots themselves.
They also help with the defense by covering back when needed and helping to stop opposing players from getting too close to the goal down the left side of the field.
Similar to defenders, left-wingers must also have good communication skills to guide their teammates.
The left midfielder typically has a very wide range of motion and will often be seen going up and down the field.
Find out more about this position in my article: Wingers in Soccer: A Complete Guide.
7. Striker
Responsibilities:
A striker’s main responsibility is to score as often as possible.
Location on the field:
Center of the field and close to the opponent’s goal.
Description:
A striker’s primary role is to score goals for their team.
They will often be found lurking on the field between the opposition midfielders and defenders, waiting for an opportunity to receive a pass that can lead to a goal.
One of the differences between a winger and a striker is that the striker plays primarily in the center of the field.
A good striker must be able to score goals as well as create scoring opportunities for their teammates.
In addition to scoring opportunities, strikers are also expected to track back on defense when needed.
This position requires excellent stamina and energy as they often run up and down the field throughout the game.
They should also have excellent ball control and the ability to pass consistently to keep the ball away from defenders.
Conclusion
Each of these indoor soccer positions’ responsibilities might slightly change depending on the style of play and formation your team decides to go with.
It is important to learn each role well to be able to make the most out of each player’s skills.
Understanding the rules of indoor soccer compared to the outdoor version of the game will also help solidify the importance of each player’s role.
For more information about indoor soccer, check out my article: Can You Wear Regular Soccer Cleats For Indoor Soccer? or What is a Blue Card in Indoor Soccer?
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