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The Position Cheat Sheet
Soccer = Football
Every soccer position, translated to the NFL job you already know. Keep this open during the match.
SoccerNFL twinWhat they actually do
Goalkeeper#1
Free Safety + Punt Returner
Last line of defense — and the only one allowed to use his hands (in his box).
Center Backsx2
Defensive Tackles
The big men in the middle. Their religion: nothing through the middle.
Fullbacksx2 — the trap
Cornerbacks
Soccer named its corners “fullbacks.” Same word, opposite job. Just swap it in your head.
Def. Midfielder
Middle Linebacker
Blows up plays before they start. Nobody buys his jersey; everyone misses him when he's gone.
Central Midsx2
The Offensive Line
The engine room — do the dirty miles, only noticed when they lose.
The #10
The Quarterback
The playmaker. The offense runs through him. Find him first.
Wingersx2
Wide Receivers
Fastest guys, live on the sideline, want the ball — word for word.
Striker#9
Goal-Line Back
Red-zone specialist. Lives on the offside line. Judged on one or two touches.
Quick hits
A goal = a touchdown — but no extra point. One goal is a 14-point lead.
Free kicks & corners = special teams — rehearsed plays, ~⅓ of all goals.
The clock counts UP & never stops — 90 min, no timeouts. “+4” = roughly four more. Ish.
5 subs, no re-entry — and the field's ~20 yds wider than the NFL. That's why everyone's gassed.
Formations decoded
“Four-three-three” = a personnel package, counted back-to-front (4 defenders, 3 mids, 3 forwards; keeper assumed). “Parking the bus” = the prevent defense — everyone hates it, everyone runs it.
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