Positions by the number>

Grace T. said:
They aren't required to wear certain numbers. In fact, the jersey numbers are all over the place (there was a 00 in goal, for example, in a game I reffed this weekend....that was awesome but my favorite was the 69). Traditionally, however, there have been numbers assigned to certain players (see mirage's wikipedia article) though that has fallen out of fashion (with the exceptions of the 1, 9, 10, 8 and a few others which are still regarded as prestige number). US soccer assigns certain numbers to the various positions in the game (see the article I posted above)...the kids aren't required to wear those numbers on the jerseys...but the coaches do use the numbers in the planning method that US soccer presents for the licensing exams. So when you talk about the "1" that's the goalkeeper (whichever kid it might be) or the "10" that's the attacking mid (whichever kid that might be). The jersey numbers alter based on the kids, but the position numbers within US soccer are set so if the ref and the coach are talking about the 1, everyone knows they are talking about the kid playing goalkeeper.
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My youngest is a GK and rocks #00.
 
coachrefparent said:
Probably because those non-caring coaches realized that soccer players can play more than one position and therefore the jersey numbers wouldn't match their position anyway.
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Back in a day I'm talking about, players didn't own game jerseys, so if I was given certain number jersey on a game day (1-11), I knew what position coach wants me to play. If player was given number 12 and up, they would be on the bench.
 
I'm curious about the #9s (strikers) and would love to hear folks thoughts that have them. I think a lot of the kids (including my own 2) start off as strikers in rec just simply because most of the kids who are athletic and passionate about soccer generally get a turn there. But there's so much competition for the slot....it seems like every kid wants to be a striker and every parent wants their kids scoring goals. What makes a striker stand out? Does that change with age? Do things get different after the heading rule gets lifted? Do most teams have just the 1 #9 in front, or do you sometimes get 2? Why'd your kid play striker and not the 10 glamor slot (if they do the one position exclusively...or do most strikers alternate in the 10 spot because they are just so dominant)?
 
The standard numbering system that US Soccer uses is based on a 4-3-3 formation and each number represents a role.

#1 - Goalkeeper
#2 - Right back
#4 - Right center back
#5 - Left center back
#3 - Left back
#6 - Defensive (holding or pivot) center mid - Typically first option to play forward through the center out of the back line
#8 - Center (Box to box, transitional) mid - Plays between the 10 & 6, has to attack and defend length of the field
#10 - Attacking center mid - Playmaker that typically plays underneath the striker
#9 - Center forward (Striker) - Target player who plays highest up the field. Topically big, strong, fast, and can hold the ball up
#7 - Right Winger
#11 - Left Winger

Now not all teams play this formation (or a variation of it) and not all teams necessarily assign the same roles, which in essence changes the formation (and therefore the roles and numbers). In reality, many teams change their formation based upon the situation of the game and the capabilities of their players, so you'll end up with players occupying different roles or interchanging with others, which is why it can be confusing.

So for example, when we are building in my defensive third I ask my #7 and #11 to drop and be forward options for my #2 & #3 and I ask my #8 to occupy the center space opposite my #6 (double pivot). During that moment of the game I am playing a 4-5-1 with in essence two players working as #6s. So instead of my midfield being a 7-8-10 I have two 6s and a 10 (in that moment).

Some coaches prefer to play with three #8s who all interchange. Some prefer to play with two #10s and then tuck the wingers in centrally. Others prefer to play entirely different formations where these numbers don't really make sense based on the roles the players occupy (4-4-2 flat or diamond, 3-5-2, etc).

So for my group I try to teach them, during this phase of the game we are in this shape and this is your role. When the game phase changes, we need to change our shape and roles to fit that particular phase of the game. Ie: You should not be in the same role or shape when you are trying to penetrate the back line as you are when you are building (for me). Others may do it differently or have different opinions but those are tactical choices and everyone has their own way.
 
In US Women's soccer

1s are the middle sister

5 is the baby sister

2/3s are first cousins

4s will snap on first cousin buts won't ever let the 1s talk bad about the 5

6s are the kid who is always over for dinner and ask for seconds

Everyone else is cute at most
 
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