Glossary
Football glossary
A plain-English reference to football formations, tactics and positions, from the team behind the MyLineups lineup builder. No coaching badge required.
A–Z reference
Football formations
An A–Z reference to the common shapes, from the 4-4-2 to the 3-4-3 and back.
12 entriesTactics
Plain-English definitions of pressing, blocks, runs and build-up concepts.
11 entriesPlaying positions
Every role on the pitch — what each one does and how it has changed.
Tactics
Concepts, in plain English
- False 9 A centre-forward who drops deep into midfield to drag defenders out of position and create space behind.
- Gegenpressing A high-intensity pressing scheme that tries to win the ball back within seconds of losing it, high up the pitch.
- High line Pushing the defensive line close to the halfway line to compress the pitch and sustain pressure.
- Low block Defending with all 10 outfield players compact inside your own half, inviting pressure to hit on the counter.
- Counter-attack A fast transition from defending to attacking, aimed at exploiting space before the opponent can regroup.
- Tiki-taka A short-passing, positional style that keeps possession and moves the opponent until gaps open.
- Inverted winger A winger who plays on the opposite side of their strong foot to cut inside and shoot.
- Inverted full-back A full-back who steps into midfield when the team has the ball, rather than overlapping out wide.
- Man-marking A defensive scheme where each defender is responsible for a specific opponent rather than a zone.
- Zonal marking A defensive scheme where defenders cover zones of the pitch rather than specific players.
- Overlapping run A forward run on the outside of the winger, made to provide width and attacking support.
- Pressing trap A coordinated press that invites the opponent to play into a specific area and then suffocates them there.
Playing positions
Every role on the pitch
- Goalkeeper (GK) The only player allowed to use hands inside their penalty area, and the last line of defence.
- Centre-back (CB) One of two (or three) central defenders responsible for stopping the opposing striker.
- Full-back (LB / RB) Defenders on the left or right of the back four who provide width and attacking support.
- Wing-back (LWB / RWB) A wide player in a back-three system who runs the whole flank — a defender out of possession, a winger in it.
- Defensive midfielder (CDM) A midfielder positioned just in front of the back four, tasked with breaking up play and recycling possession.
- Central midfielder (CM) A midfielder playing between the defensive and attacking thirds, balancing creation and recovery.
- Box-to-box midfielder (B2B) A midfielder who contributes in both penalty boxes, covering ground at high intensity throughout the game.
- Attacking midfielder (CAM) A player stationed between the midfield and the striker, focused on unlocking defences.
- Winger (LW / RW) Wide attacking players tasked with stretching the pitch, beating defenders and creating chances.
- Striker (ST / CF) The centre-forward — the team’s main goalscorer and the focal point of the attack.
- Sweeper (libero) A free-roaming central defender behind the back line, originally used in catenaccio systems.
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