Striker :

SPEED AND QUICKNESS

Two of the most important attributes a striker needs are speed and quickness. Speed allows
a player to outrun a defender and win a 50/50 ball. Quickness provides a striker with a first
step that enables them to get past a centre-back. Working on footwork and quickness in
training can enable a striker to gain the edge they need to be a top player.

GOOD TOUCH

Having a good touch is an attribute that allows strikers to receive passes and put the right
pace on layoffs. A good touch can be the difference between holding onto a pass from a
midfielder and losing out to a defender.

PHYSICAL STRENGTH

Holding off defenders is just part of a modern striker’s job. A good No. 9 needs to have the
physical strength to keep a defender at bay. This means having both upper and lower body
strength. Throughout a 90 minute match, strikers jockey for position with centre-backs. A
weak forward will simply be tossed aside by a bigger, stronger defender. Having the power
to hold off a centre-back and wear them down physically is important today.

CONFIDENCE

Strikers need to be long on confidence and short on memory. A No. 9 must believe they will
score every time they shoot. Players have to take the pitch with the mindset that the team is
counting on them. Once a striker losses confidence in themselves, it takes a long time to
rediscover form.
 As a winger :

1. Endurance

The winger is the most physically demanding position on the field. They have to jog
back and forth across the pitch and sprint long distances.

A winger can be in the defensive half one moment and the opposition’s goalie box
the next.

A winger needs great endurance. Otherwise, you will have to be subbed out
regularly to be effective.

2. Speed

Wingers constantly beat players down the sideline and run into space. Effective
wingers are fast.

A fast winger with good dribbling ability is deadly. You can cross the ball when you
receive passes near the sideline and head straight for goal when you make runs
towards the middle of the pitch.

3. Dribbling ability

The sidelines isn’t crowded like the middle of the pitch so wingers have good
opportunities to dribble.

Wingers consistently have one-on-one encounters with other wingers and defenders
so read How to Dribble a Soccer Ball and How to Perform Soccer Moves and Tricks to
learn how to beat players and dribble down the sidelines effectively.

4. Crossing ability

Wingers cross the ball more than any other position. They usually take corners.

You need to cross well while running to be effective. You should be able to beat a
defender and cross the ball quickly (before it’s blocked).

Read our article, How to Cross a Soccer Ball, for more information.

5. Defending ability

Wingers have to defend. You will face the opposing winger in one on one situations.

Wingers must learn how to stick with their man while he’s making runs (by staying
goalside), slide tackle, delay the opposing player, and defend crosses.
 What to do as a winger :

1. Beat your man

Use soccer moves and your speed to beat your man. If you’re fast enough, you can
avoid the wingback by dribbling near the sideline. If not, you can beat the defender
or do a one-two pass around him with a forward to set yourself up for a cross.

Don’t beat your man when you are in the defensive half. Passing will be more
effective, and losing the ball could result in a deadly counter-attack.

2. Pass when delayed

After you beat the opposing winger a few times, he will likely give you some space
and try to delay rather than tackle. If you get slowed down a center midfielder will
come to double team.

Pass the ball before this happens. You have many options. You can play a ball to a
forwards feet or a through ball down the sidelines.

You can switch the ball to the opposing winger or make a short pass to a center
midfielder. Which option you choose depends on how well your teammates make
runs and lose their mark.

If you get into trouble, turn, shield, and drop the ball (pass towards your own goal).

3. Master sop-and-start moves

These moves are perfect for setting up a cross or beating a defender coming at you
from the side.

Learn moves such as the stop and go and shiki (covered in our article, How to Do
Soccer Moves and Tricks).

4. Cut inside

Defenders expect wingers to dribble down the sideline. A quick cut to the inside will
beat your defender. From there, you can pick your head up and pass or beat the
center midfielder.

Beating the center midfielder (or forcing him to mark you then passing) opens a big
hole in the defense.
5. Make diagonal runs

Try cutting inside, passing the ball, and running towards goal (run diagonally to stay
onside).

Make diagonal runs occasionally when the center midfielder has the ball. This will
surprise defenders.

Good diagonal runs lead to breakaways (which lead to easy goals).

6. Use the crofe move

The crofe should be in every soccer winger’s arsenal.

Touch the ball towards a defender (that’s located at your side) then perform the
move. It almost never fails.

The crofe is perfect for setting up a cross and cutting towards goal.

7. Switch things up

Keep the defenders guessing.

Do a one-two with a center-midfielder, play the ball down the line to a forward,
switch the ball to the other winger, cut in and take a shot, play through balls over
defender’s heads to your forwards, etc.

Unpredictability is deadly. The opposing team will hate it when you get the ball.

8. Watch for the defender

Watch out for defenders coming to tackle you after you beat your opposing winger.

Many wingers explode too fast past the other winger. They touch the ball too far
ahead, making it easy for defenders to steal it.

Keep the ball close and look up quickly after beating your man.