Ask ten football fans which position is the hardest and you will get at least four answers. Goalkeepers say nobody else carries their pressure. Centre-backs say one mistake costs a goal. Midfielders say they run further and think faster than anyone. Strikers say they are only ever judged on one thing.
They are all a little bit right. This guide looks at what makes each position in football (soccer) difficult, which positions players find the least popular and the most fun, and – for coaches and parents – how to place players who are still developing so the whole team gets better.
The short answer: there is no single hardest position in football (soccer). Goalkeeper is often called the hardest because mistakes almost always lead to goals; central midfield demands the most running and decision-making; centre-back needs concentration for the whole game; and striker is judged on goals, the hardest thing in the game to produce. In youth and casual football, goalkeeper is also often the least popular position, while striker and winger are usually the most popular because of the goals.
In this guide
- The hardest positions in football, compared
- Is striker the hardest position in soccer?
- What is the toughest position to play in soccer?
- What is the least popular position in soccer?
- What is the funnest position in soccer?
- Where do you put your weakest player in soccer?
- Kit out the whole team
- Frequently asked questions
The hardest positions in football, compared
| Position | Why it is hard | What it needs most |
|---|---|---|
| Goalkeeper | Most mistakes lead directly to goals; long periods with nothing to do, then one big moment | Concentration, bravery, handling, decision-making |
| Centre-back | Must stay focused for 90 minutes; one wrong step can cost a goal | Positioning, reading the game, heading, calm on the ball |
| Full-back | Has to defend and attack the whole flank | Stamina, speed, crossing, one-v-one defending |
| Central midfield | Covers the most ground and makes the most decisions | Fitness, passing, vision, awareness under pressure |
| Winger | Expected to beat defenders and create chances again and again | Pace, dribbling, confidence |
| Striker | Judged on goals; few chances, little time | Finishing, movement, composure |
Is striker the hardest position in soccer?
Striker is one of the hardest positions because it is measured by the hardest thing in the game: scoring. A striker may get only two or three real chances in a match, often under pressure from two defenders and with a fraction of a second to decide. Miss them, and the rest of the performance is forgotten. That is a special kind of pressure.
But hardest is not the same as most important. Strikers depend on the team to create chances, and many other positions carry just as much responsibility. If you want to understand the different ways strikers play, read our guide to the types of strikers in football.
What is the toughest position to play in soccer?
If “toughest” means physically demanding, central midfield usually wins: midfielders link defence and attack and are involved in almost every phase of play. If it means mentally demanding, goalkeeper is the most common answer. Goalkeepers can go long spells without touching the ball, then must make a perfect decision in a second – and when they get it wrong, it is usually a goal.
What is the least popular position in soccer?
In youth and casual football, goalkeeper is usually the position fewest players volunteer for. It is lonely, mistakes are very visible, and it means missing out on running with the ball. Full-back is the other position players often don’t ask for, because it can feel far from the action. Both are vital – and players who learn them early often find they have a talent nobody expected.
What is the funnest position in soccer?
Most players say striker or winger, because those positions get the ball in attacking areas and get to score. Many midfielders would disagree: central midfield is involved in more of the game than any other position. The most fun position is usually the one where you touch the ball most and feel most confident – which is different for every player.
Where do you put your weakest player in soccer?
Every team has players who are still developing. Where they play matters, because the wrong position can knock their confidence, and the right one can make them better quickly. A few principles help:
- Don’t hide them in goal. Goalkeeper is one of the most demanding positions, not a place to put someone who is less confident.
- Give them a clear, simple job. A position with one clear task – for example marking one opponent, or staying wide to give an option – is easier to learn than a role that needs constant decisions.
- Put strong teammates next to them. A confident player alongside can talk them through the game and cover when needed.
- In youth football, rotate positions. Young players develop best when they try different positions. Today’s “weakest player” is often next season’s surprise.
- Play to their strengths. A player who is quick but not yet technical may enjoy a wide role; a player who reads the game well may suit defence.
The goal is not to hide anyone, but to give every player a position where they can contribute and grow. Teams that feel like one team – and look like one – play better together.
Kit out the whole team
A matching kit is one of the easiest ways to make a team feel like a team. We make custom football kits for teams, clubs and schools: a minimum of 10 pieces, a free design mockup before you order and production in 10–15 days. Every shirt can carry the player’s own name and number.
Club shirts for every position
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₨ 2,399Barcelona Home Shirt 26–27
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₨ 2,399Real Madrid Home Shirt 26–27
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Frequently asked questions
Is striker the hardest position in soccer?
Striker is one of the hardest positions in soccer because strikers are judged on goals, the hardest thing in the game to produce. Goalkeeper and central midfield are also often called the hardest, for different reasons.
What’s the hardest position in soccer?
There is no single answer. Goalkeeper is most often named, because mistakes usually lead to goals. Central midfield is the most physically and mentally busy, centre-back needs 90 minutes of concentration and striker carries the pressure of scoring.
What is the toughest position to play in soccer?
Physically, central midfield is usually the toughest, because midfielders cover the most ground and are involved in every phase of play. Mentally, goalkeeper is the toughest, because one mistake is very often a goal.
What position do you put your weakest player in soccer?
Give a developing player a position with a clear, simple job and a confident teammate nearby – often a wide or full-back role. Don’t put them in goal, which is one of the hardest positions, and in youth football rotate positions so every player learns the game.
Where do you put your weakest player in soccer?
Put them where the task is clear and support is close, such as a wide position next to a strong teammate, and play to their strengths. Avoid goalkeeper, and in youth football let every player try different positions.
What is the least popular position in soccer?
In youth and casual football, goalkeeper is usually the least popular position, followed by full-back. Both are vital positions, and many players discover they are good at them.
What is the funnest position in soccer?
Most players say striker or winger, because those positions get the ball in attacking areas and score goals. Many midfielders say central midfield is the most fun, because they are involved in almost every part of the game.