They were ranked immediately below the daimyo as Sodaisho (commander in chief) and Samurai daisho (commander of warriors) and lead soldiers including Ashigaru kogashira (also called Ashigaru kumigashira) (foot soldier captains) who were their own subordinates.
総大将たる大名、侍大将に次ぐ地位を有し、配下である足軽小頭（足軽組頭）をはじめとする兵を率いた。