How to Play Full Back in Soccer

As a soccer player in the full back position (whether right full back or left full back) you have the dual responsibilities of offense and defense. You gain control of the ball and go on the offensive whenever there's an opportunity. However, you must fall back to a completely defensive role and ensure that the ball doesn't go near your goal when the opposing team initiates offensives.

Instructions

1. Play with the rules and responsibilities of the full back position in your mind. In a full back position, you are expected to cover the entire left or right flank depending on which side you are positioned. Be prepared to receive the ball and immediately go on the offensive by guiding the ball along the outside lines.

2. Maintain your position along the flanks of the soccer field. When you are on the offensive, pass the ball on to wingers or center forwards to make the final assault on the other team's goal.

3. Switch position with the other full back position. If you are the right full back, switch with the player in the left full back position, and vice versa. This will bring unpredictability and disturb the rhythm of the opposing players.

4. Do not retreat backward to defensive position with the ball behind you. The ball must always be in front of you.

5. Kick the ball out of play if you are suddenly cornered into a defensive position. This will result in the soccer ball going out of play and will provide crucial time for your team mates to regroup and retreat back to defensive positions and assist you.

6. Don't attempt to regain possession of the ball from a defensive position unless you are confident of succeeding. Your role in the defensive position is to defend the goal. The common tactic of doing this is to allow the offensive players to make a mistake and use that opportunity to regain control of the ball or kick it out of play.

Tips & Warnings

• Speed and nimbleness are essential to this position. As a full back player, you will be required to respond instantly to moves of other players. You will need to do that with rapid bursts of running to get around other players.

• If you decide to pass the ball back to the goal keeper, don't do it directly towards the goal, but aim slightly outside the mouth of the goal. Doing so will protect your team, because if the goalie misses the ball, you will not end up scoring against your own team.