Reference
Position Guide
Argus uses 15 canonical position codes grouped into 6 scouting families. The codes label players precisely (in dropdowns, comparisons, formations); the families decide which scouting lens the AI applies when grading a report.
At a glance
| Code | Position | Family |
|---|---|---|
| GK | Goalkeeper | Goalkeeper |
| CB | Centre Back | Centre Back |
| LB | Left Back | Fullback / Wingback |
| RB | Right Back | Fullback / Wingback |
| LWB | Left Wing Back | Fullback / Wingback |
| RWB | Right Wing Back | Fullback / Wingback |
| CDM | Defensive Midfielder | Central Midfielder |
| CM | Central Midfielder | Central Midfielder |
| CAM | Attacking Midfielder | Central Midfielder |
| LM | Left Midfielder | Wide attacker |
| RM | Right Midfielder | Wide attacker |
| LW | Left Winger | Wide attacker |
| RW | Right Winger | Wide attacker |
| SS | Second Striker | Striker |
| ST | Striker | Striker |
Goalkeeper
The last line and the first phase of build-up.
Goalkeepers are graded on a distinct rubric from outfield players. Modern keepers are also expected to be the team's deepest playmaker.
What scouts look for
- •Shot-stopping & reflexes
- •Command of the box (claims, punches, aerial)
- •1v1 / sweeping behind the line
- •Distribution: short build-up + long range
- •Communication & defensive organisation
Codes in this family
- GKGoalkeeper. Last line of defence; commands the box and starts build-up.
Centre Back
The defensive anchor — duels, aerials, and build-up.
Central defenders win 1v1 duels and aerials, organise the line, and increasingly start the team's build-up under pressure.
What scouts look for
- •1v1 defending: body shape, jockeying, recovery pace
- •Aerial duels (own + opposing box)
- •Reading the game: interceptions, cover, pressing triggers
- •Build-up passing & long diagonal range
- •Concentration & leadership of the line
Codes in this family
- CBCentre Back. Central defender — 1v1 duels, aerials, line organisation.
Fullback / Wingback
Two-way wide defenders — defend the flank, fuel the attack.
Fullbacks (LB/RB) and wing-backs (LWB/RWB) share the same scouting lens. Wing-backs operate higher and wider in back-three systems, but the core skill set — defend 1v1, overlap, deliver — is the same.
What scouts look for
- •1v1 defending vs. wingers
- •Stamina & repeat-sprint capacity
- •Overlapping / underlapping runs
- •Crossing & final-third delivery
- •Pressing triggers & defensive positioning
Codes in this family
- LBLeft Back. Wide defender on the left; defends the flank, supports attack.
- RBRight Back. Wide defender on the right; defends the flank, supports attack.
- LWBLeft Wing Back. High-and-wide LB in a back-three; covers the whole left flank.
- RWBRight Wing Back. High-and-wide RB in a back-three; covers the whole right flank.
Central Midfielder
The engine — defensive screen, ball progression, creation.
Central midfielders span a spectrum: defensive (CDM) → box-to-box (CM) → attacking (CAM / #10). All three are graded on passing range, ball progression, and decision-making between the lines.
What scouts look for
- •Passing range & ball progression
- •Defensive work-rate & duels
- •Vision & creating chances between the lines
- •Movement: arriving in the box, third-man runs
- •Press resistance under pressure
Codes in this family
- CDMDefensive Midfielder. Sits in front of the back line; screens, intercepts, recycles.
- CMCentral Midfielder. Box-to-box engine; links defence and attack.
- CAMAttacking Midfielder. Plays between the lines; creates and finishes from a #10 role.
Wide attacker
The flank threat — 1v1 dribbling and end product.
Wingers (LW/RW) and wide midfielders (LM/RM) share the same scouting concerns: beating their man, delivering into the box, and finishing from the half-spaces. Inverted vs. orthodox foot shapes the role.
What scouts look for
- •1v1 dribbling: success rate, both feet, change of direction
- •Acceleration over 5–10m (key winger metric)
- •Crossing or cut-back delivery
- •Shooting & finishing from the half-spaces
- •Off-ball runs (cut inside vs. stay wide)
- •Defensive contribution: tracking the opposing fullback
Codes in this family
- LMLeft Midfielder. Wide midfielder on the left in a flat-four shape.
- RMRight Midfielder. Wide midfielder on the right in a flat-four shape.
- LWLeft Winger. Attacking-third left flank; 1v1 dribbling and end product.
- RWRight Winger. Attacking-third right flank; 1v1 dribbling and end product.
Striker
The finisher — movement in the box and goals.
Second strikers (SS) drop into the pocket behind the main forward to link play and arrive from depth; pure strikers (ST) live on the shoulder of the last defender. Both are scouted on the same core attributes, weighted toward finishing and movement.
What scouts look for
- •Finishing: composure, technique, both feet
- •Movement in the box: timing of runs
- •Aerial ability & hold-up play
- •Link-up play with midfielders & wingers
- •Pressing from the front
Codes in this family
- SSSecond Striker. Plays behind the main striker, ahead of the attacking mid — finds pockets and finishes from depth.
- STStriker. Pure goalscorer; movement in the box and finishing.
What about “False 9”, “Inverted Fullback”, etc.?
Those are tactical roles, not positions. A player IS a striker (ST); their role can be “False 9”, “Target Man”, or “Pressing Forward”. Use the player’s labelsfield to tag tactical nuance — that way the canonical position stays standardised (which keeps comparisons, formations, and the AI rubric working) while you keep the freedom to describe a player’s style.