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LWB

Left Wing-Back

Combines a full-back's defensive duty with a winger's attacking range, providing the width alone down the left in systems without a winger and covering the entire touchline in both directions.

Train for this role →

In possession

Provides the entire width of the pitch alone, pushing on almost like a winger while the back three holds its shape centrally.

Out of possession

Drops into a back five, tucking in alongside the center-backs to defend crosses and cover the wide channel.

How to play it

  • Recognize the moment to sprint back into the back line once possession is lost
  • Provide width high up the pitch in possession since there's no winger ahead of you
  • Combine with the nearest central midfielder to create two-on-one situations wide
  • Don't gamble going forward when the center-backs are already stretched

Common mistakes

  • Getting caught too far upfield when possession turns over
  • Neglecting defensive shape by treating the role as a purely attacking one
  • Running the same wide lane as a winger ahead, congesting the flank

Coming soon: video drill demos for this role.