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The rules do not specify any player positions other than goalkeeper, but a number of player specialisations have evolved.

Broadly, these include three main categories: forwards, whose main task is to score goals ; defenders, who specialise in preventing their opponents from scoring ; and midfielders, who dispossess the opposition and keep possession of the ball to pass it to the forwards ; players in these positions are referred to as outfield players, to discern them from the single goalkeeper.

These positions are further differentiated by which side of the field the player spends most time in.

For example, there are central defenders, and left and right midfielders.

The ten outfield players may be arranged in these positions in any combination ( for example, there may be three defenders, five midfielders, and two forwards ), and the number of players in each position determines the style of the team's play ; more forwards and fewer defenders would create a more aggressive and offensive-minded game, while the reverse would create a slower, more defensive style of play.

While players may spend most of the game in a specific position, there are few restrictions on player movement, and players can switch positions at any time.

The layout of the players on the pitch is called the team's formation, and defining the team's formation and tactics is usually the prerogative of the team's manager ( s ).