Best Soccer Positions For Short Players (+ Worst Positions)

Short soccer players might feel like they’re at a disadvantage to their taller teammates, especially at youth levels. But there is plenty of room for short players to thrive on the field. So, let’s look at the best soccer positions for short players. 

The best soccer position for short players is central midfielder. They need to be technically fit and sound on the ball. They are responsible for progressing the ball with passes and dribbles, not winning headers. Winger is also suitable for short players as they need to be fast, tricky, and good crossers. 

Central midfielders are often the most important players on a team, as they are the link between defense and offense. In the modern game, wingers have increased in importance and are one of the most entertaining positions to play. Let’s see why central midfielder and winger are the best soccer positions for short players.

Table of Contents

• Why Central Midfielder Is The Best Soccer Position For Short Players
• How Tall Are The World’s Best Central Midfielders?
• Why Short Soccer Players Can Also Be Wingers:
• The Worst Soccer Positions For Short Players:
  • Why Short Soccer Players Should Avoid Playing Goalkeeper:
  • Why Short Players Should Avoid Playing Center Back:
• Conclusion

Why Central Midfielder Is The Best Soccer Position For Short Players

Above everything else, central midfielders need to be technically adept (and very fit, as they do a lot of running. They need to be trusted with the ball and be the control of their team when they have the ball. They will see a lot of the ball and be tasked with progressing it to the team’s attacking players in dangerous areas.

Central midfielders are required to make that final ball to set up forwards for a goal or put them in an area where they can make a threatening pass. Other times, they may get the ball to the wingers to do the magic, but the long and short of it is their responsibility to receive the ball from the defenders or goalkeeper and progress it into dangerous positions.

This progression is usually done through passing, dribbling, or both in the case of some top-class midfielders. Sometimes, you’ll find a midfield with a variety of different types of players. Some can pass, some can dribble, and some can tackle (another vital role for midfielders).

But, as you can see, central midfielders don’t need to be tall. Being a good passer or dribbler doesn’t require height at all.

Sometimes, height can be a disadvantage when it comes to high-quality dribbling, as it means your center of gravity is further from the floor, making it easier to knock you over at times. This means that the central midfield is the best soccer position for short players.

How Tall Are The World’s Best Central Midfielders?

The majority of this generation’s best central midfielders would definitely not be classified as tall. Some are around six feet, but the majority are a good few inches shorter, as shown in the table below.

Why Short Soccer Players Can Also Be Wingers:

Another excellent position for short soccer players is winger. The primary goal of wingers is to be quick, good dribblers, and able to score goals. A good cross is also usually very useful, but some teams rely on their fullbacks for crossing and expect their wingers to score goals.

While height can be helpful when trying to score goals, as it gives you an aerial advantage, it is by no means necessary. A clinical shot and excellent dribbling skills are much more critical, with the latter often being aided by being small.

Just remember, Lionel Messi, undoubtedly the greatest player of his generation and perhaps all-time played most of his career on the wing, is very short. The Argentinian maestro is 5 foot 5 inches (1,69 meters), and it hasn’t held him back one bit. His dribbling is mesmerizing, and his shooting and passing abilities are out of this world.

The Worst Soccer Positions For Short Players:

Unfortunately, for short soccer players, there are just some positions you’ll struggle in no matter what because of your height. These two positions are:

• Goalkeeper.
• Center-back.

Check out my article on the best soccer positions for tall players if you are interested in learning more.

Why Short Soccer Players Should Avoid Playing Goalkeeper:

The simple reason that short players should avoid playing goalkeeper is that they don’t have the reach to cover the whole goal. Even if you have lightning-quick reflexes, you need the ability to reach all corners of the goal when you dive to save a shot.

Another reason it helps to be tall is that it gives you an added advantage when claiming crosses. Of course, a good jump is useful here, but if you naturally tower above most opposition forwards, your ability to claim a cross will be significantly enhanced.

Here are some of the heights of the top goalkeepers in the world right now (they’re all pretty tall):

Check out my article on why goalkeeper is the hardest position in soccer.

Why Short Players Should Avoid Playing Center Back:

Center back, much like goalkeeper, requires a bit of height to be played at a high level. Most strikers are relatively tall (around six feet) or are close to that height and have a good jump on them. Many of them are also quite big and strong (like Erling Haaland), making them physically demanding to deal with.

Furthermore, as a center-back, you’ll be expected to deal with many crosses and other aerial balls near your goal. It is vital that you win the large majority of these; otherwise, your team will be put in a threatening position.

Being at least six feet tall will give you an advantage in dealing with big forwards, be it competing in the air for crosses or passes or matching them stride for stride for balls on the ground. The more physically imposing you are, the harder it is for you to be out-muscled or out-competed by an opposition forward.

In the table below, you’ll see that although the heights of top center-backs in the 21st century differ slightly, they are all in and around six feet tall or more. Those who aren’t are extremely rare outliers, as almost all the center-backs at top teams are pretty tall.

Check out my article on why center back is the easiest position in soccer.

Conclusion

There is plenty of room for short players to thrive on the soccer field, especially as wingers or central midfielders. Central midfielder can also be a good position for slow soccer players, although, besides goalkeeper, it is considered the most challenging position on the soccer field.

Winger can be a good position for weak and/or fast soccer players, as it isn’t as physically demanding as other positions.

Feel free to check out other articles you might be interested in reading:

• Best Soccer Position For Tall Soccer Players
• Best Soccer Position For Fast Soccer Players
• Best Soccer Positions For Slow Players