Being short could represent significant difficulties in many sports, however, in a sport like soccer this is not totally the case!
Indeed, there is a gazillion of short players out there that were extremely successful; Leo Messi being the most successful these days …
… In this Post, I breakdown all the details related to short players including the best position they probably should consider.
What is the best soccer position for short players?
From what I’ve seen over the years, the tallest players are the goalkeepers, the central defenders in front of them, and sometimes the full-backs.
Because of that and to the fact that shorter players usually have good agility and balance, below are the most useful positions for players that are beneath 170.18 cm (5’ feet, 7” inches):
- The midfielder could be an awesome position for those of you that have mastered control of the ball. You’ve got to be mindful of the separation between yourself and your opponents, especially those that are bigger than you. In this case, you should attempt to move to areas between the defending lines to get the ball and rapidly pass it to your partners that are usually the strikers upfront.
- Wingers are ridiculously quick. All of them are awesome when playing within the wider zones. You have to use your speed to get past the defender to take a serious shot. You are in the most physically exhausting position on the soccer field. You have got to always utilize your speed and movements to defensive players in all zones, especially on the sidelines.
- Central Forward is a position that most players and fans believe is more for the taller players. Be that as it may, nowadays, a larger amount of shorter players are being used at this position with growing numbers. If your team’s offensive comrades use a more possession technique when playing, then you should do just fine at this position.
By the way, I highly invite you to check these tips on how to choose a soccer position … I think you’ll find that very helpful!
Quick Tip: One of the most important attributes that make short players great is their grip which allows them to quickly change directions and surprise the opposite team. One great way to give you maximum grip is by choosing the right pair of soccer shoes. For example, these quality soccer shoes have one of the best grip capabilities in the market!
Advantages and disadvantages of being a short player …
Short players can thrive if they show off their ball control, their agility, and the ability to change directions rather quickly.
They can contribute to their team effort by exhausting taller defensive opponents with the use of speed consistently.
Shorter athletes react more quickly, accelerate better, move with more agility. The lower gravity allows shorter players to use their agility and speed with positive results and to avoid injuries.
On the negative side, successful headers is a lot easier for taller players, not saying it’s impossible for shorter players. The same is true for corner kicks, as you can see how shorter players are at a disadvantage. Also, since shorter players tend to weigh less, they tend to be shoved around by big and heavy players.
Tips and Drills for short players …
Shorts players should size by playing quickly and making quick decisions. This gives your teammates more time to make their own decisions and movements while giving the other team less time to respond.
You should think about how you can dribble, pass, or move in a way that gives my teammates enough time to do what they’re prepared for at the game. Obviously, mastering your dribbling and your passing will take you a long way towards success.
Taller players will do their best to be extremely near you and try to push in a disruptive way.
To be truly prepared for these situations, having a strong core of your body will allow you to minimize these issues.
It’s important to believe in yourself as a player, regardless of your size and height. A lot comes through preparation and your experience. Feeling that you’re prepared for a game will make you feel confident in all games.
Does height matter in Soccer?
Many people argue that the height of a player matters when you consider what position you’re playing, your speed, and it depends on what style of player you are.
On the positive side, shorter players frequently appear to have mind-blowing agility and clearly can turn quickly. Superior quickness arises since shorter players have a lower center of gravity.
Short players, as a rule, have absolute ball-handling abilities and control since they are closer to the ground.
However, winning headers may be a lot more available within the game if you are a taller player. On corner kicks, especially, you will be able to see how shorter players are at a downside.
What is a good height for a soccer player?
Below is the 2018 World Glass player information given by FIFA, which included the height and the position played for each country that played. The date is from 736 players in 32 teams.
- Goalkeepers with the average age of 29.7 years have a height of 188.8 cm (6’ feet, 2” inches).
- Defenders with an average age of 28.1 years have a height of 183.2 cm (6’ feet).
- Midfielders with an average age of 27.6 years have a height of 179.7 cm (5’ feet, 10” inches).
- Forward players with an average age of 27 years have a height of 181.4 cm (5’ feet, 11” inches).
- The overall average with players with an age of 27.9 years has a height of 182.4 (6’ feet).
Famous successful short soccer players …
Below some famous players who, despite their low than average height, they’ve managed to be really successful:
- Lionel Messi (height 5’7”), known as “The Flea” because of his quick turns and speed, was born June 24, He’s an Argentine soccer player and presently takes part in La Liga’s Barcelona and the Argentine national team. His fast dribbling abilities and slippery tricks on the ball put him on a course of his own.
- Élton José Xavier Gomes (height 5’1”) is a Brazilian footballer that plays as a left midfielder or attacking midfielder for Al-Qadisiyah. For years, opponents have found him to be one of a kind due to his fast speed and dribbling.
- Daniel Alberto Villalva Barrios (height 5’3”) has the nickname of Keko and is an Argentine footballer that plays as an attacking midfielder for his Brazilian team in Goiás. His body movements, combined with his agility, make him hard to catch.
- Jorge Campos (height 5’6”) is a Mexican professional forward that has also played as a goalkeeper, something that is rare considering his height. His nimbleness combined with his core strength while adding on to his accelerating responses, Campos put himself apart from the rest on the field.
Does soccer make you short?
There are no sports that will change your height. It’s scientifically impossible!
Depending on the positions on the soccer field, especially for defensive positions, the lower the gravity you have when you are a shorter player. This may make you feel that you are shorter than you are.
How you play and how often you perform has nothing to do with you getting shorter or taller. All soccer teams in the world will have players in a range of heights broadly compared to the common population of that country.
Final Thoughts …
At the end of the day, it doesn’t seem too bad to be a short soccer player, does it?
You still have all the characteristics that will make you as sharp, as effective and useful for your team as you would like!
Just make sure to pick a position that suit your abilities and work on improving your skills as much as possible.