Youth Soccer Positions
Updated
Youth soccer has four basic positions: goalkeeper, defender, midfielder and forward. Where kids stand depends on the format: 4v4 (U6–U8) has no goalkeeper, while 7v7 (U9–U10) and 9v9 (U11–U12) add one. Young players should rotate through every position so they learn the whole game before they settle on a favorite.
On this page
Soccer positions explained for kids
Every position has one main job. Give young players that one job in plain words and leave the details for later:
| Position | Main job | What to tell a young player |
|---|---|---|
| Goalkeeper (GK) | Guards the goal; the only player allowed to handle the ball during play, and only inside their own penalty area. | "Stop shots, and tell your defenders where to go." |
| Defender | Stops the other team from getting close to your goal. | "Stay between the ball and our goal. Win it, then pass to a teammate." |
| Midfielder | Links defense and attack, and helps at both ends. | "Get the ball from the defenders and move it forward." |
| Forward | Creates and finishes scoring chances. | "Find space near their goal and shoot when you can." |
From 7v7 up, positions also have a side. You'll see short labels on lineup sheets, in our planner and on the diagrams below:
- Defenders: LB (left back), CB (center back), RB (right back).
- Midfielders: LM, CM, RM (left, center, right midfielder), DM (defensive or holding midfielder) and AM (attacking midfielder).
- Forwards: ST (striker), LW and RW (left and right wing), LF and RF (left and right forward).
- Extra 11v11 labels: LCB and RCB (left and right center back), LWB and RWB (left and right wing-back), and LCM and RCM (left and right central midfielder).
Positions in youth soccer by format
The number of players on the field grows with age, and so does the number of positions. (For the full numbers, including roster sizes, see how many players are on a soccer team.) The table shows the largest format US Soccer recommends for each age in its 2026 guidance (its 2017 standards started 4v4 at U6). Leagues can always play smaller. Not sure which group your child is in? Check our youth soccer age groups.
| Ages | Format | Goalkeeper | Typical shape |
|---|---|---|---|
| U5–U6 | 1v1, 2v1, 2v2 small games | No | No set positions |
| U7–U8 | Up to 4v4 | No | Diamond (1-2-1) or box (2-2) |
| U9–U10 | 7v7 | Yes (6 + GK) | 2-3-1, 3-2-1 |
| U11–U12 | 9v9 | Yes (8 + GK) | 3-3-2, 3-2-3 |
| U13 and older | 11v11 | Yes (10 + GK) | 4-3-3, 4-4-2 and others |
U8 soccer positions (4v4)
4v4 has no goalkeeper, so all four players are field players. The simplest shape is a diamond: one player at the back, one on each side and one at the front. A box (two back, two front) works too. Expect kids to chase the ball in a bunch. That's normal at this age. Use the shape to teach one idea, "spread out so you can get a pass", rather than fixed jobs. The 2026 US Soccer guidance suggests even smaller games (1v1 to 2v2) for U5–U6, where positions don't matter at all.
U9 and U10 soccer positions (7v7)
7v7 adds a goalkeeper and the first real lines: usually two or three defenders, two or three midfielders and one forward. The build-out line in 7v7 gives defenders time to receive a pass from the keeper, so it's a good age to teach the back line to spread wide. See our 7v7 soccer formations for diagrams of each shape.
U11 and U12 soccer positions (9v9)
9v9 adds a third defender or a back four, and the first wingers. Offside now applies from the halfway line, so forwards start learning to time their runs. Our 9v9 soccer formations guide covers six shapes and their roles.
U13 and older (11v11)
11v11 adds a back four or a fuller midfield, in shapes like the 4-3-3 and 4-4-2, on a full-size field. Positions get more specialized here, and many players settle on two or three spots they enjoy. Players who rotated when they were younger make that move more easily, because they already understand what each teammate is doing.
See shapes for every format: 4v4, 5v5, 6v6 and 8v8 formations, 7v7, 9v9 and 11v11 formations.
Should kids play every position?
Yes, at least through 7v7 and 9v9. There are good reasons to rotate:
- Strengths change. The fastest 8-year-old isn't always the fastest 12-year-old. Locking a child into one spot early can hide what they're good at.
- Every role teaches the others. A forward who has played defense knows what defenders hate. A defender who has played midfield passes better out of the back.
- It keeps things fair. Rotating stops the same kids always getting the fun jobs, and it keeps playing time conversations about time, not status.
- It's more fun. Variety keeps kids interested from week to week.
The exception is goalkeeper. Offer every player a turn, but don't force a scared child into goal. Some kids love it, and you can let willing keepers play there more often as long as they still get field time.
How to rotate positions for development
- Rotate by period. Give each player a different line each half or quarter: defense first, then midfield, then attack.
- Keep it steady within a period. Moving kids every few minutes is confusing. Change positions at breaks.
- Track it. Note who played where each game so the same child isn't always at the back.
- Respect real worries. If a player is anxious about one position, give them a different one for now and try again later.
Our substitution planner can do this for you. Under Fairness rules and options, set Positions to Rotate positions (development). The planner then spreads each player across defense, midfield and attack, reshuffles positions at each period break, and still respects any position you've marked "Avoid". Leave Keep players in the same spot while they stay on switched on so kids don't move mid-period. It also balances minutes and goalkeeper turns at the same time, which our youth soccer substitution guide explains.
Plan fair minutes and rotating positions for your team
Open the plannerPositional games for practice: U8 soccer drills and U10 soccer drills.
How to teach youth soccer positions
- One job per position. "Defenders stay between the ball and our goal" is enough at first.
- Use landmarks. "Stay on your side of the field" or "be the back of the diamond" is easier than a position name.
- Show it. Draw the formation before the game. Our soccer lineup maker prints a lineup sheet with names in each spot.
- Teach shape with games, not lectures. Small-sided games at practice, with the same shape as on game day, teach positions better than talking.
- Praise good positioning. Notice the defender who stayed goal-side, not just the player who scored.
- Be patient at U6–U8. Bunching around the ball is part of learning. Shape comes with time.
Frequently asked questions
What are the positions in youth soccer?
There are four basic positions: goalkeeper, defender, midfielder and forward. In 7v7 and older, each line also has sides, such as left back, center midfielder or right wing. Younger teams playing 4v4 have no goalkeeper, so all four players are field players.
What positions are there in U8 soccer?
U8 teams usually play 4v4 with no goalkeeper. A diamond shape works well: one player at the back, one on each side and one at the front. A box with two back and two front works too. At this age, teach spreading out rather than fixed jobs.
What are the positions in U9 and U10 soccer?
U9 and U10 teams play 7v7: a goalkeeper plus six field players, usually two or three defenders, two or three midfielders and one forward. A 2-3-1 or 3-2-1 formation is a good starting point. Rotate players through every position at this age.
Should kids play every position in soccer?
Yes, at least through 7v7 and 9v9. Strengths change as children grow, every position teaches something about the others, and rotating keeps playing time fair. Offer every player a turn in goal, but don't force a nervous child to play there.
How do you teach youth soccer positions?
Give each position one simple job, use landmarks like "stay on your side of the field", and show the formation on a lineup sheet before the game. Small-sided games at practice in the same shape teach positions better than talking. Praise good positioning, not just goals.
Is there a goalkeeper in 4v4 soccer?
No. Under US Soccer's small-sided standards, 4v4 games for U6 to U8 are played without goalkeepers, on small fields with goals no bigger than 4 × 6 feet. Goalkeepers start in 7v7 at U9.
How do I rotate positions fairly in youth soccer?
Give each player a different line each half or quarter, keep positions steady within a period, and note who played where so nobody always ends up in the same spot. The substitution planner's Rotate positions option does this automatically while it balances playing time.
Sources
- US Soccer Player Development Initiatives (small-sided standards), Oct 2017
- US Soccer Player Development Initiatives FAQ, Oct 2017
- US Soccer U.S. WAY: age-appropriate game formats (2026)
Leagues, states and tournaments can set their own rules. When in doubt, check with your league.