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Welcome to Part II of the Complete Guide to Soccer Positions!
In Part I we took a closer look at the center defensive midfielder (CDM).
In this post, we’re going to dive into the roles, responsibilities, and critical skills of an outside back.
The outside back position is often overlooked and undervalued by fans, but it is crucial to the success of a team. Also known as a fullback, these players play a vital role in both the offensive and defensive phases of the game, and their skills and abilities are essential to the overall functioning of the team.
If you’re a player looking to hone your skills as an outside back, or a parent who’s just trying to understand what the heck their kid is supposed to be doing, here’s what you need to know.
Don’t miss the bonus “who to watch” section at the end of the post for a list of my favorite outside backs playing professionally across the world.
What does an outside back do?
Defend:
As you would expect from a position located in the back line of the team formation, an outside back has a primary responsibility to defend. Specifically, the outside back is (usually) tasked with shutting down the opposing team’s winger both in 1v1 situations when near the ball, and by stopping them from receiving long balls and crosses coming from the opposite side of the field.
Cover & Balance:
Soccer is a dynamic game and both team’s shapes are constantly shifting. As these shifts occur, an outside back must remain disciplined to the side of the field she is responsible for to avoid her teams shape coming unbalanced and allowing space for the opposing team to attack. However, she must remain connected enough to the play to allow her to cover for her teammates, should they get beat.
Initiate the build out:
Whether the ball has been won off an opponent or is restarting from the goalkeeper, the outside back’s positioning in the wide areas of the field, near his own goal, makes him a perfect outlet to create width, receive a pass, and initiate the process of building into the opponent’s half.
Support the attack:
While outside backs must work tirelessly to defend, they are also (typically) responsible for supporting their team in the attacking half. Whether providing an option for a backwards pass from the midfield, making overlapping runs, or even putting crosses into the box – participation from the outside back is crucial to ensure the team has enough players in the attack to maintain possession and unbalance the opponent’s shape.
What skills does an outside back need?
Speed:
Outside backs are typically some of the fastest players on the field. There is a lot of ground to cover in the wide areas and a bit of extra pace comes in handy when tracking back against an opposing counterattack, or recovering when that speedy winger on the other team happens to get by you.
Tackling:
An outside back should be proficient in tackling, both to win the ball back and slow the opposing attack.
Passing & Receiving:
As a key player in the initiation of the build out, an outside back must be able to effectively receive and play passes of all kinds. A poor touch or misguided pass in your own half, often results in an immediate chance on goal going the other way.
Dribbling:
The ability to dribble out of tight spaces is essential. Occasionally, those midfielders on your team get lazy and are late to provide a passing option for you. If the opposing team is pressing high, it's important to be able to maintain possession on your own until an option comes available.
Heading:
For the advanced ages (U12 and above) it is important to be able to challenge for balls in the air. An outside back needs to possess proper heading technique to win those balls before the opponent.
Who to watch?
Trent Alexander-Arnold – Liverpool (English Premier League)
Dani Alves - Paris Saint-Germain (Ligue 1)
Alphonso Davies - Bayern Munich (Budensliga)
Kyle Walker - Manchester City (English Premier League)
Joao Cancelo - Manchester City (English Premier League)
The outside back position may not always be the most glamorous or high scoring, but it is a crucial part of any successful soccer team. These players need to have a diverse range of skills and abilities, and their contributions to the team cannot be understated.
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