Wide Forward / Winger

System

• In Possession: 4-3-3
• Out of Possession: 4-4-2 variation to create and score awareness

Build Phase

POSITION PROFILE WIDE FORWARDS / WINGERS 7 & 11

• Role - Wide attacker – high and wide positioning, direct and aggressive in 1v1s, with
• Identity - Fast, skillful, intelligent attackers with end product, intensity, and tactical
• Wingers start high and wide to stretch the pitch and pin full-backs
• Must offer immediate out ball to switch play or create 1v1 opportunities
• Relationship with full-backs is Imperative:
• If the winger stays wide full-back underlaps
• If the winger drives inside full-back overlaps
• Must recognize opportunities for third man runs and timed rotations
• Must receive in positions to face forward, scan early, and play with intent
• Encourage short combination play with 10 or 9 to break pressure before exploding forward

Progression Phase

• Able to beat defenders in 1v1 duels with pace, skill, or combination play
• Can go both inside and outside unpredictable, balanced, and technically sharp
• Dribbling on the angle is encouraged drawing defenders in to unbalance or combine
• Must attack diagonal gaps between full-back and centre back with explosive runs
• When ball is far side, makes late far post runs to arrive for cutbacks and crosses
• Stretch the pitch to create central space
• Combine in wide triangles full-back, winger, 8 or 10
• Drive inside to link or create shooting opportunities and final passes.

Final Third Phase

• Must produce end product consistently: assists, goals, and creativity
• Comfortable crossing from the byline or cutbacks from half space
• Can cut inside to shoot or drive to the line and deliver - variation is key
• Final action includes:
• Variation of Crosses - cutback, whipped, floated
• Slipped through balls
• Shots off both feet
• Pull backs or driven balls across goal

Press Phase

• Shapes pressing trap with nearest central forward and 10 pressure
• Must read the game decision making is on the player, know when to create vs finish
• Explosive 1v1 mindset: create your own space, create your own shot, create advantage
• Part of the front four in a 4-4-2 press wingers press full-backs aggressively
• Must engage high when press is triggered, press at speed with intent
• Reads the game - doesn’t just chase but presses with purpose and direction
• Must be ready to tuck in quickly if ball enters half space or midfielder receives under no

Compactness Phase

• Drops into midfield line of 4 when the press is broken
• Understands defensive distances
• Double up on the ball side full back
• Tuck in to support central overloads
• Hold width to protect switch
• Tracks overlapping full-backs fully, expected to recover and protect space behind

Immediate Break

• On winning the ball, winger must:
• Explode into space
• Run in behind immediately
• Or show to receive on the touchline and drive forward 1v1
• Must be a counter attacking threat, direct, aggressive, and forward-thinking
• Can switch roles with 10 or 9 in transition, movement creates movement
• Has freedom to take initiative, positive mindset, no fear in attacking

Secure Build

• May rotate inside to allow full back to provide width

Counterpress Phase

• Wants to win it back high or delay to allow midfield recovery

Recovery Phase

• If first line is broken, recovers to wide position in the 4-4-2 block
• If no transition opportunity, must secure possession wide or inside
• Able to combine quickly and shift play to allow the team to build again
• Aggressive counter presser, closes space immediately after losing ball
• High reactivity to transitions, make a mistake, win it back mindset
• Reacts to teammates losing possession, protects weak side when necessary
• Must track runners, cover full-back, and show high recovery intensity
• Mentally strong, does not switch off when defending
• Leads counter-press or holds shape depending on phase of play

Technical Attributes

• Elite 1v1 dribbler, change of direction, body feints, confidence
• Ability to dribble at full speed or from a standstill
• Comfortable going inside or outside, technically two-footed
• Clean first touch, can receive on the half-turn and play forward
• Crisp, sharp delivery on crosses, with variety
• Accurate shooting from wide angles, cut-inside & finish a key threat
• Strong in duels, can ride challenges and retain control

Tactical Intelligence

• Understands rotation patterns, knows when to overlap, underlap, invert
• Plays with head up, constantly scanning the ball, teammate, defender, space
• Recognizes space to attack with or without the ball
• Links play with 9 and 10 when central, creates overloads through movement
• Exploits defensive cues - when to drift, when to arrive, when to run behind
• Knows when to drive, when to combine, when to cross

Physical Attributes

• Explosive pace over both short and long distances
• Strong core for contact and shielded play
• Stamina to repeat high-intensity sprints and recover defensively
• Can operate in tight spaces or open field
• Dynamic acceleration to create separation 1v1

Psychological Profile

• Creative, confident, and willing to take risks in the final third
• Resilient, doesn’t hide after mistakes, resets and re-engages
• Competitive, wants to win every duel, every race, every cross
• Aggressive,on the ball and in defensive recovery
• Expressive, has freedom to try things but demands end product
• Self-belief and bravery to drive the game forward
• Excellent balance and agility, can change direction with precision
• Works relentlessly out of possession, never walks, never switches off

Character and Leadership

• Leads by example with work rate, creativity, and courage
• High-output player, brings energy and mentality
• Unafraid to take responsibility in critical moments
• Trustworthy defensively, can be relied on to recover and press
• Voice and presence, communicates well with FBs and 10s to manage shape
• Expressive but disciplined, blends flair with tactical maturity What we don't want
• Predictable dribbler, always goes one way
• Passive without the ball, not scanning, not moving
• Doesn’t track back or press with intensity
• Final ball lacks detail, poor decision making or execution
• Avoids duels or fades out of games
• No variety in movement, too static, not dynamic
• Poor relationship with FB or 10, doesn’t create overloads
• Switches off after mistakes, needs to reset and reengage

Profile Summary

Our wingers are dynamic wide forwards, aggressive, creative, and explosive. They stretch the

pitch high and wide but can rotate inside to combine, penetrate, and finish. Elite in 1v1 situ-

ations, they possess the dribbling quality to break down blocks and the final action to deliver

goals and assists consistently. Defensively, they work relentlessly, leading the wide press and

recovering with intensity. Technically Astute.