Wingback in soccer
A wingback is a soccer player who covers one whole side of the field, attacking like a winger and defending like a fullback.
It suits the fittest players on the team, who love to run and are comfortable both crossing and tackling.
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 wingback stands
Wide on the left or right, outside three center backs. With the ball the wingback is high, level with the midfield or the forwards. Without it the wingback drops beside the center backs to make a back five.
With the ball
- Gives the team its width, because there is no winger in front.
- Runs high along the sideline to cross or to pass the ball back for a shot.
- Offers a pass out wide when the middle is crowded.
Without the ball
- Runs back to make a line of five with the center backs.
- Presses the other team’s fullback, but only when a center back covers the winger behind.
- Marks the far post when the cross comes from the other side.
Three habits to practise
Read the cue to press
Go to the ball when the touch is slow and you have cover behind. When that cue is gone, recover.
Run, rest, run
Use the moments when the ball is on the far side to get your breath back in a good position.
Cross early or pull it back
Practise both: a cross before the defender is set, and a pass back along the ground from the goal line.
Shirt number: 2 and 3
Wingbacks often keep the fullback numbers, 2 and 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
Small-sided games rarely have true wingbacks. The closest job is the wide midfielder in a 7v7 2-3-1 or a 9v9 3-3-2, who also has to attack and defend the whole side.
Formations with a wingback
Questions about the wingback
What is the difference between a wingback and a fullback?
A fullback plays in a back four with a winger in front. A wingback plays outside three center backs with nobody in front, so the wingback starts higher and has the whole side alone.
Which formations use wingbacks?
Formations with three center backs, such as the 3-5-2. When the wingbacks drop back to defend, the same team looks like a 5-3-2.
Is wingback a hard position?
It is the hardest running job on the team. A wingback has to get forward to attack and back to defend, again and again.
Lessons for this position
- Back Five: When Can the Wing-back Go? (11v11 lesson)A wing-back presses only when the touch is slow and a center back covers the winger behind. When that cue is gone, recover.
- 4-3-3 vs 5-3-2: Find the Checking Midfielder (11v11 lesson)When their wing-backs block your fullbacks, an eight checks short to get free. If a defender follows the eight, pass to the fullback instead.
- Slide Across Together (11v11 lesson)Follow the danger as a group. Don’t leave a big gap for the next pass.
Player cards
The card binder files wing-backs with the full-backs. Here are more full-backs.
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.