Their movement aft is limited by the bolts...which generally won't get you to the center of the foot (under the arch). Some have drilled additional holes in the soles of their shoes to allow the cleat to be mounted further back.

If you are truly a "teenage cycling novice" and want to ride road bikes with clipless pedals, then you should learn to ride them as designed, which was for a reason. Better power transfer. Is it because you've ridden platform pedals and are comfortable with them squarely under your foot?