In football (soccer) the starting eleven players traditionally have numbers from 1 to 11. In a 4-4-2 formation, numbers 2,3,5 and 6 would be defence, 4,7,8 and 11 midfield, and 9 and 10 attack. Why is it that 4 and 11 are in midfield – especially why is 4 the defensive midfielder and not a centre back?
Chosen Answer:
The answer above had it close.
Numbers started out as follows:
2 right back
3 left back
4 half back
5 right wing back
6 left wing back
7 right winger
8 inside right
9 centre forward
10 inside left
11 left winger
Then as formations changed, the 5 and 6 dropped into the centre of the defence leaving the 2 and 3 on the wings. 4 is then the central defensive midfielder, in the same place as he was in 2-3-5.
9 is always the lone striker, 10 an attacking midfielder (in 4-5-1)
9 and 10 are dual strikers (in 4-4-2)
8, 9 and 10 are 3 strikers (in 4-3-3)
7 and 11 fill the wings, while 8 and 10 are creative or attacking midfielders in any of the above cases where they are not forwards.
by: byteofk
on: 19th December 07
Posted in 
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That’s a good question. Noramally only international teams can afford this scenario.
Well… beacuse… I don’t know.
In my town you get whatever number you want.
But the 9 and 11 are the usual numbers for the forwards, not the number 10. It goes to the most skillful player (like Ronaldinho in Brasil, he was the 10, Ronaldo the 9 and the 11 someone like Robinho or Adriano).
Futbol has changed a lot strategically over the years. When Brazil won their first two World Cups, they used to play with 6 forwards, 2 midfielders and 2 defenders, of course, other teams were doing the same. They used to do that until someone figure out how to stop the six forwards with a strong defense and just score one or two goals to win, I believe it was the Italians. That is how we got to the defensive futbol of today that is mostly played with one or two forwards. Anyway, I believe the very first futbol formation was the 4-3-3. Number 1 went to the Goalie. 2,3,4 and 5 to the defense. 6,7 and 8 to the midfielders and 9,10 and 11 to the forwards. 9 going to the center forward. Now days, the traditional numbering scheme has gone out the window. Probably the only consistent number now days are the number 1 and the number 10 for the goalie and the center midfielder.
The answer above had it close.
Numbers started out as follows:
2 right back
3 left back
4 half back
5 right wing back
6 left wing back
7 right winger
8 inside right
9 centre forward
10 inside left
11 left winger
Then as formations changed, the 5 and 6 dropped into the centre of the defence leaving the 2 and 3 on the wings. 4 is then the central defensive midfielder, in the same place as he was in 2-3-5.
9 is always the lone striker, 10 an attacking midfielder (in 4-5-1)
9 and 10 are dual strikers (in 4-4-2)
8, 9 and 10 are 3 strikers (in 4-3-3)
7 and 11 fill the wings, while 8 and 10 are creative or attacking midfielders in any of the above cases where they are not forwards.