Football formations and positions.
Football is played eleven a side on a grass pitch of 105 by 68 metres at full size, with smaller pitches and fewer players in the youth formats. A match is two halves of 45 minutes. A goal is scored when the whole ball crosses the goal line between the posts and under the crossbar, and the side with more goals wins. The IFAB Laws of the Game apply, administered in England by the FA.
Football positions.
| Code | Position | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| GK | Goalkeeper | Goalkeeper |
| LB | Left Back | Defence |
| LCB | Left Centre Back | Defence |
| RCB | Right Centre Back | Defence |
| RB | Right Back | Defence |
| LM | Left Midfielder | Midfield |
| CM | Centre Midfielder | Midfield |
| RM | Right Midfielder | Midfield |
| LW | Left Winger | Attack |
| ST | Striker | Attack |
| RW | Right Winger | Attack |
| CB | Centre Back | Defence |
| LWB | Left Wing Back | Defence |
| RWB | Right Wing Back | Defence |
| CDM | Defensive Midfielder | Midfield |
| LCM | Left Centre Midfielder | Midfield |
| RCM | Right Centre Midfielder | Midfield |
| CAM | Attacking Midfielder | Midfield |
| LAM | Left Attacking Midfielder | Midfield |
| RAM | Right Attacking Midfielder | Midfield |
| CF | Centre Forward | Attack |
| LS | Left Striker | Attack |
| RS | Right Striker | Attack |
- Size
- 105 m by 68 m
- Match
- 2 halves of 45 minutes
- Squad
- 11 on the field per side, up to 16 in a matchday squad, no rolling substitutes
- Scoring
- A score is a goal; the result is in goals.
- Rules
- IFAB Laws of the Game 2026/27
Football formations (14).
4-3-3
Roles, strengths, weaknesses and what to coach
4-2-3-1
Roles, strengths, weaknesses and what to coach
4-5-1
Roles, strengths, weaknesses and what to coach
4-4-2
Roles, strengths, weaknesses and what to coach
3-5-2
Roles, strengths, weaknesses and what to coach
3-4-3
Roles, strengths, weaknesses and what to coach
5-3-2
Roles, strengths, weaknesses and what to coach
4-1-4-1
Roles, strengths, weaknesses and what to coach
4-4-1-1
Roles, strengths, weaknesses and what to coach
4-3-1-2 (diamond)
Roles, strengths, weaknesses and what to coach
4-2-2-2
Roles, strengths, weaknesses and what to coach
3-4-1-2
Roles, strengths, weaknesses and what to coach
5-4-1
Roles, strengths, weaknesses and what to coach
4-3-2-1 (Christmas tree)
Roles, strengths, weaknesses and what to coach
9-a-side formations (6).
9-a-side: 2 halves of 30 minutes, 9 on the field per side, rolling substitutes, on a 73.15 m by 45.72 m pitch.
Positions: Goalkeeper (GK), Left Back (LB), Centre Back (CB), Right Back (RB), Left Midfielder (LM), Centre Midfielder (CM), Right Midfielder (RM), Left Forward (LF), Right Forward (RF), Left Centre Midfielder (LCM), Right Centre Midfielder (RCM), Centre Forward (CF).
3-3-2
Roles, strengths, weaknesses and what to coach
3-1-3-1
Roles, strengths, weaknesses and what to coach
2-3-3
Roles, strengths, weaknesses and what to coach
3-2-3
Roles, strengths, weaknesses and what to coach
2-4-2
Roles, strengths, weaknesses and what to coach
3-4-1
Roles, strengths, weaknesses and what to coach
7-a-side formations (7).
7-a-side: 2 halves of 25 minutes, 7 on the field per side, up to 14 in a matchday squad, rolling substitutes, on a 54.86 m by 36.58 m pitch.
Positions: Goalkeeper (GK), Left Back (LB), Centre Back (CB), Right Back (RB), Centre Midfielder (CM), Left Forward (LF), Right Forward (RF), Left Midfielder (LM), Right Midfielder (RM), Centre Forward (CF).
3-1-2
Roles, strengths, weaknesses and what to coach
1-3-2
Roles, strengths, weaknesses and what to coach
2-3-1
Roles, strengths, weaknesses and what to coach
2-1-3
Roles, strengths, weaknesses and what to coach
3-2-1
Roles, strengths, weaknesses and what to coach
1-2-3
Roles, strengths, weaknesses and what to coach
2-2-2
Roles, strengths, weaknesses and what to coach
5-a-side formations (5).
5-a-side: 2 halves of 20 minutes, 5 on the field per side, up to 10 in a matchday squad, rolling substitutes, on a 36.58 m by 27.43 m pitch.
Positions: Goalkeeper (GK), Defender (DEF), Midfielder (MID), Second Midfielder (MID2), Forward (FWD), Second Defender (DEF2), Second Forward (FWD2).
Pick the shape, drag your players onto it and share the team sheet with parents before the game. The Vanta Club app is free.
