The Instruments Of The Beautiful Game

In a soccer field, each player’s position has a lot of thought and reasoning behind it. All of them serve a unique purpose. Whether it is a playmaking midfielder or the powerhouse forward, each role demands something unique from the player. Additionally, intelligence, game awareness, and athletic ability all go into deciding which player is best suited for which role. However, even though the game has been around for centuries, there is still an ongoing debate: What is the hardest position in football?

Surely, if there was a straightforward answer to this question it would have been found already. However, the intrigue lies in the nuance of the question. In essence, different positions on the pitch come with varying requirements and pressure. The latter may take the form of physical, tactical, and psychological. Yet, many argue that upon inspection some positions appear more difficult than the others. Hence, fueling the ‘What is the hardest position in football?’ debate further.

Understanding All the Soccer Positions

Before we can go on to answer which is the hardest position in football, let’s first cover the basics. To begin with, we will list down all the soccer positions on the field and then move on to our analysis.

• Goalkeeper

• Defenders

• Midfielders

• Forwards / Attackers

These positions serve as a main group of positions. Within each lies numerous specialized roles. These include enter backs, fullbacks, defensive midfielders, wingers, strikers, and more. Additionally, it each requires a combination of physical fitness, game intelligence, technique, and mental resilience to succeed.

What Is the Hardest Position in Football?

When talking to an expert or ex professional, they are likely to mention two positions generally considered the hardest. These are the goalkeeper and the central midfielder. The latter concerns specifically the defensive midfielder. Their reasoning behind this claim is that both of the roles require a combination of specific skills. These include decision making, leadership, and technical execution under pressure that few positions can match. Having said that, let’s first take a deeper dive to see why these two are often mentioned the most. Moreover, we will also observe why people who mention other soccer pitch positions have merit in their argument.

1. Goalkeeper: Considered the most mentally demanding position, it is arguably the toughest spot on the field. Even a simple minor mistake can turn the tide of the match. The job details list only one thing. However, that single task demands nothing but perfection and too consistently. Let’s look at why it is considered the most difficult role:
   

• Zero margin for error: A single lapse in judgement can lead to a team losing a match.

• Highest mental pressure: The mental strain of focusing constantly for 90+ minutes takes a toll on the mind. The keepers are sharp as a fox even when the ball is far away.

• Requires unique athletic traits: Not only do they need to be fit mentally, but physically as well. Reflexes, aerial ability, shot stopping, and fearless diving are all part of the requirements of being a competent keeper.g.

• Different skillset from outfield players: A keeper’s requirement is different from outfield players. The nature of their footwork, handling, positioning, and commanding the box is unique to that position only.

A goalkeeper’s job includes reading the entire game, communicating constantly, and acting as the last line of defense. No other player is required to combine so many responsibilities that too in isolation

2. Defensive Midfielder: The brain behind the team, this player serves as the architect of success. Amongst all the positions, it is only the defensive midfielder (DM) that’s called the ‘engine room’. Alternatively, people refer to it as the ‘coach on the field’ as well. The responsibilities of this position includes:

• Elite stamina

• Excellent positioning

• Constant scanning of the field

• Quick decision-making

• The ability to maintain tempo under pressure.

What makes the DM the hardest position on the pitch

• They must break up attacks as well as start new ones.

• They often face the opponent’s strongest creative players.

• They receive the ball under pressure more than any other outfielder.

• They must protect the defense while supporting the attack.

The midfield of the pitch is considered the heart of the field. Whichever team controls this space during a game controls the game. Additionally, the player who is responsible for this role is the DM. Hence, making it arguably the hardest position in football.

3. Center Back: Often called a physical and mental wall, the center back’s mind is wired to do one thing: halt attacks. Their duties include blocking shots, winning aerial duels, marking strikers, leading the back line, and making split second tackles. Let’s look at what makes this role possibly the hardest position in football.
   

• One mistimed challenge can lead to a red card.

• They must battle the physically strongest attackers.

• They are involved in defensive organization and set piece marking.

• They need composure to build play from the back.

With the game evolving constantly over time, modern players are required to be technically sharp, tactically intelligent, and physically powerful. Moreover, all this is on top of the existing traditional skills required. Hence, making it a hard place to fill on the field.

4. Striker: Arguably the most criticized players on the pitch, they are often caught in the eye of the storm. The striker stands out amongst all soccer forward positions. This is because they are there to perform the most difficult job in soccer: score goals. Moreover, what’s frustrating about their job is that they sometimes receive only one chance per game. If they miss it, they are criticized by coaches, fans, and media outlets. The challenges they face are plenty and as follows:
   

• Constant pressure to produce results.

• Playing against strong and physical center backs.

• Maintaining mental confidence even during scoring droughts.

• Perfecting timing, precision, and creativity.

Although they are often considered the most glamorous and exciting players, they shoulder immense expectations. That’s why many people falter under its weight and consider a role too difficult to execute effectively and consistently.

Conclusion

All in all, each soccer role on the field carries with it a lot of pressure. Moreover, they demand a player to have physical and mental toughness as well as the right attitude to the game. Though there’re many who believe that the hardest position in football are goalkeepers and DM, there is more to it. 

Regardless of how well a player can perform these two roles, it will not matter if the rest falter. Instead, it is the combination and ability of the rest of the players that helps a team win. Every piece needs to come together for a team to overcome any adversary. That’s why it is called a beautiful game. It takes all 11 players and the fan’s support to help a team succeed.