Wing Back

Role: A highly demanding role as they have to act as both a full back and a wide midfielder. Therefore must protect the goal when defending and offer an attacking option when attacking.

Areas of operation: In the wide regions of the pitch. A wing back will operate along the whole of one side of the pitch.

Defensive Positional Responsibilities:

• Prevent attempts at goal
• Prevent deliveries into the danger area
• Force the ball away from the goal
• Remain goal side
• Remain in line or front of the central defenders
• Provide cover to the central defenders
• Provide balance to the defence
• Understand recovery runs

Attacking Positional Responsibilities:

• Offer support out wide
• Decide when to move forward and support
• Provide the attack with balance
• Lock the play in the attacking half
• Deliver passes into goal scoring positions

Physical needs: Similar to full back

• Speed endurance
• Acceleration
• Stamina but stamina must be greater

Psychological requirements:

• Concentration
• Awareness

Technical requirements: 

• Crossing
• Jockeying
• Heading
• Tackling
• Intercepting