Fullback in soccer
A fullback is a soccer defender who plays on the left or right side of the back line: the left back and the right back.
It suits players with lots of energy who like to defend one against one and also enjoy running forward.
Soccer is called football in most of the world. This guide is part of Futbol Island’s free football lessons for kids aged 7 to 12.
Where the fullback stands
On the outside of a back four, near the sideline, with a center back on the inside and a winger in front.
With the ball
- Gives width at the back, so the keeper and center backs have a pass to the side.
- Supports the winger. Runs outside to cross, or moves inside to be an extra midfielder.
- Fills the lane nobody holds: if the winger is wide, the fullback moves inside. If the winger is inside, the fullback goes wide.
Without the ball
- Defends the side one against one, usually against a winger.
- Stops crosses coming into the penalty area.
- Tucks in next to the center backs when the ball is on the far side.
Three habits to practise
Show the attacker outside
Stand a little to the inside, so the winger has to go along the sideline, away from goal.
Go, then get back
After a run forward, turn and recover at once if the ball is lost.
Check where your winger is
Look before you run. Go where your winger is not.
Shirt number: 2 and 3
The right back is usually 2 and the left back is 3. The numbers are a coaching custom from the days when starters wore 1 to 11. Players today can wear any number.
In 7v7, 9v9 and futsal
In 7v7 the two defenders of a 2-3-1 are often called left back and right back. In 9v9 the outside backs of a back three do the fullback job: they defend the side and carry the ball forward when there is room.
Formations with a fullback
- 2-3-1 (7v7) formationTwo defenders (2 and 3)
- 3-2-1 (7v7) formationOutside backs (2 and 3)
- 2-2-2 (7v7) formationTwo defenders (2 and 3)
- 3-1-2 (7v7) formationOutside backs (2 and 3)
- 3-2-3 (9v9) formationOutside backs (2 and 3)
- 3-3-2 (9v9) formationTeams with two forwards who work as a pair.
- 3-1-3-1 (9v9) formationTeams with a calm holding midfielder.
- 4-3-1 (9v9) formationTwo fullbacks (2 and 3)
- 4-3-3 (11v11) formationTwo fullbacks (2 and 3)
- 4-4-2 (11v11) formationTwo fullbacks (2 and 3)
- 4-2-3-1 (11v11) formationTwo fullbacks (2 and 3)
- All soccer formations16 formations for 7v7, 9v9, 11v11 and futsal, each with a diagram
Questions about the fullback
What is an overlap?
A run by the fullback around the outside of the winger who has the ball. It gives the winger two choices: pass to the runner or use the space the run opens.
What is an inverted fullback?
A fullback who moves inside, into midfield, when the team has the ball. It works when the winger stays wide, so the two are not in the same lane.
Is fullback a defending or an attacking position?
Both. The first job is to defend the side. But a fullback also gives the team width and supports attacks, so it is one of the busiest positions.
Lessons for this position
- 4-3-3: Fullback Inside or Outside? (11v11 lesson)Fill the lane nobody holds: with the winger wide, the fullback moves inside; with the winger inside, the fullback goes wide.
- Three Backs: Make the Outside Route (7v7 lesson)Without wide midfielders, an outside back can create width, then return inside when the forward route closes.
- Our Eleven: Shape & Shared Jobs (11v11 lesson)Understand the goalkeeper and each line, then adapt midfield support as a fullback advances.
- 3-2-3: Back Three, Fourth Runner (9v9 lesson)A wide forward recovers with an advancing outside back when three defenders already have three forwards.
Player cards
Full-backs in the Futbol Island card binder.
Other positions
Futbol Island is a free football (soccer) learning game for kids aged 7 to 12. Every idea on this page is taught on a pitch with moving players, then checked with a quick quiz.