Wing-backs exist because a back three leaves the wide areas empty. They need the engine to get up and down for the whole game, and the judgement to know when to push on.
Defence · number 2 / 3
Wing-back
A wing-back covers the whole flank in a system with three centre-backs. With the ball they give all the width, often as high as the forwards; without it they drop back to make a back five. It's one of the most demanding roles on the pitch, needing stamina, crossing and defending.
The wing-back in each formation
With the ball, without it, and in transition
With the ball: Stay wide and high, receive switches of play, and cross or combine with the forwards.
Without the ball: Drop into a back five, defend 1v1 against the winger, and stay connected to the outside centre-back.
When the ball changes hands: The space behind you is the danger: when the ball's lost, sprint back first, then press.
Our winger has it, one against one. The outside centre-back sets off on the overlap.
More boards: Getting it wide · Low block
Skills a wing-back needs
⚽ Technical
- Crossing
- Receiving a switch on the half-volley
- 1v1 defending
🧠 Tactical
- Timing when to push on
- Dropping into a five
💪 Physical
- Endurance
- Speed
❤️ Mental
- Relentless work rate
Team drills for wing-backs
3-5-2 wing-back switch of play10 to 14 plus a keeper players · U13 to adult
Wing-back rondo for 3-5-2 and 3-4-311 to 13 players · U13 to adult
Overlap, cross and finish5 to 10 plus a keeper players · U10 to adult
Switching play: 4v4 + 2 across three zones10 players · U11 to adultPractise at home
Drills a wing-back can do alone with a ball and a wall. Or follow the circuit below: timer, beeps and every station shown.
Long pass to a targetLean back, strike through · 10 passesJockey and shuffleLow, side-on, don't cross · 45 secondsRecovery sprintsTurn, sprint, goal-side · 6 sprintsCrossing to a targetHead up, whip it in · 10 crosses
🔁 Wing-back 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
- Achraf Hakimi: Explosive pace and attacking runs from wing-back.
- Cafu: Brazil's tireless attacking right-back, up and down the flank for whole games.
- Andy Robertson: Relentless overlapping runs and crosses from the left.
For grassroots coaches
- Give wing-backs breaks: it's a tiring role, so rotate.
- Teach switches of play so the wing-back gets the ball in space.
Questions people ask
Is a wing-back a defender or a midfielder?
Both. They defend in a back five and attack like a wide midfielder or winger.
Which formations use wing-backs?
Systems with three centre-backs, such as 3-5-2, 3-4-3 and 5-3-2.
Other positions
Full-back
Full-backs (left-back and right-back) are the wide defenders in a back four.
Read →Wide midfielder
A wide midfielder (left or right midfield) plays on the flank in a midfield line.
Read →Centre-back
A centre-back defends the middle of the pitch in front of goal.
Read →← All football positions · Formations · Practise at home
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