Meaning & use
forward position
Last updated
Meanings
nouncountablesport
A role on a team, in games such as soccer or hockey, where a player stays near the opponent's goal and focuses on scoring.
Grammar: Often used with in or at: she plays in a forward position.
Patterns
- play in a forward position
- move to a forward position
The coach moved Elena to a forward position because she was fast and good at finishing.
He has played in a forward position for most of his career, so defending feels unnatural to him.
Our team scored twice once the captain pushed up into a forward position.
nouncountablemilitary
A place that is closer to the enemy or the front line than the main body of troops.
Grammar: Usually describes a location held by soldiers: troops in a forward position.
Patterns
- hold a forward position
- a forward position near something
The patrol set up a forward position on the ridge overlooking the valley.
Supplies could not reach the forward position until the road was cleared.
Reporters were not allowed anywhere near the forward position.
Word forms
| plural | forward positions |
|---|
Common combinations
- play in a forward position
- She prefers to play in a forward position rather than in midfield.
- move to a forward position
- The manager moved him to a forward position after the injury.
- take up a forward position
- The rookie took up a forward position near the net.
- hold a forward position
- A small unit held a forward position for three days.
- advance to a forward position
- The squad advanced to a forward position before dawn.
Synonyms and how they differ
- striker
- A striker is the player in the forward position in soccer, so the word names the person while forward position names the role.
- attacking role
- This is broader and can include wingers or midfielders, while forward position points to the line closest to goal.
- front line
- Front line suits military or workplace contexts and is less natural for team-sport roles.
- outpost
- An outpost is a remote post, often isolated, while a forward position is simply ahead of the main force.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: forward position or foreword?
forward position vs foreword
A foreword is a short introduction at the start of a book; it has nothing to do with direction or position.
Practice
The coach decided to move the fastest player to a ____ so she could score more goals.
Choose one answer.
A forward position is near the opponent's goal, which suits a fast scorer. A defensive position is the opposite and would not help her score.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “forward position”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.