Midfield · number 7 / 11

Wide midfielder

A wide midfielder (left or right midfield) plays on the flank in a midfield line. With the ball they give width, cross and combine with the full-back; without it they track back to help defend and keep the midfield compact. It's a more balanced role than a winger, with equal defending and attacking.

In 7v7 and 9v9 shapes like 2-3-1 and 3-3-2, wide midfielders are often the most important players: they stretch the pitch and do two jobs.

The wide midfielder in each formation

11v11 4-4-2: In a 4-4-2 the wide midfielders make a flat four without the ball and combine with the full-backs on it. See the 4-4-2 →

7v7 2-3-1: At 7v7 the wide players in a 2-3-1 give width high and drop to make a back four when needed. See the 2-3-1 →

9v9 3-3-2: At 9v9 wide midfielders in a 3-3-2 supply the two strikers and track the opposing wide players. See the 3-3-2 →

With the ball, without it, and in transition

With the ball: Stay wide to stretch the pitch, receive switches, and cross or combine with the full-back.

Without the ball: Track the opposing full-back, keep the midfield line compact, and defend 1v1.

When the ball changes hands: Sprint forward wide on the counter, or back into the line when the ball's lost.

Step 1 of 3

We've drawn them to our right. Our left-side player stays wide and high, where the space is.

Getting it wide · Fit it to your formation

More boards: Overlap · Mid block

Skills a wide midfielder needs

⚽ Technical

Crossing
Running with the ball
1v1 attacking and defending

🧠 Tactical

Staying wide
Tracking runners

💪 Physical

Stamina
Speed

❤️ Mental

Discipline both ways

Team drills for wide midfielders

7v7 2-3-1: wide player and defender rotation diagram

7v7 2-3-1: wide player and defender rotation6 to 10 plus a keeper players · U9 to U11

4-4-2 wide 2v1: full-back and wide midfielder diagram

4-4-2 wide 2v1: full-back and wide midfielder6 to 12 plus a keeper players · U11 to adult

Cross and finish: near post, far post diagram

Cross and finish: near post, far post8 to 14 plus a keeper players · U10 to adult

Switching play: 4v4 + 2 across three zones diagram

Switching play: 4v4 + 2 across three zones10 players · U11 to adult

Conditioned game: free wide zones diagram

Conditioned game: free wide zones12 to 18 players · U9 to adult

Practise at home

Drills a wide midfielder can do alone with a ball and a wall. Or follow the circuit below: timer, beeps and every station shown.

V pull-backsPull back, push away, make a V · 15 each foot 1v1 moves on a coneAttack it, fake, explode · 10 moves Crossing to a targetHead up, whip it in · 10 crosses

🔁 Wide midfielder home circuit

7 minutes · 7 stations · 40s on, 20s rest. Turn the sound on for the beeps. Clear the space first, and younger players should have an adult nearby.

Coaches: send this circuit or any home drill to a player from your team hub, and see how they got on.

Players to watch

David Beckham: Some of the best crossing and set-piece delivery the game has seen, from right midfield.
James Milner: Work rate on both sides of the ball from wide areas.
Park Ji-sung: Endless energy, pressing and tracking back from the flank.

For grassroots coaches

Young wide players drift inside: give them a channel to stay in at training.
Teach the switch of play so they get the ball in space.

Questions people ask

What's the difference between a winger and a wide midfielder?

A winger plays higher and focuses on attacking; a wide midfielder plays in the midfield line and defends as much as they attack.

What does LM mean in football?

Left midfielder: the wide player on the left of a midfield line.

← All football positions · Formations · Practise at home

Ask about this position

Free AI coaching help from Gafferbook. Ask anything about coaching your team.