Winger Taking on the Outside Fullback
Wingers own 15-yard lanes down each sideline — beat your fullback 1v1 down the line, and only then can the ball come inside for the 4v4 to finish.
In the attacking third the winger's job is to take the outside fullback on — beat them down the line first, and everything the middle wants comes after.
Set up · 3 actions · before the kids arrive
- Grab: Cones, pinnies, balls, and your full-size goal — this one uses the attacking third of the field.
- Build: Mark off a lane 15 yards wide from each sideline in the attacking third.
- Place: A winger and a defender in each lane, the remaining players 4v4 between the lanes, the keeper in the goal, and the server around midfield with the ball supply.
Show me the setup picture
One thing to remember: Taking on the outside fullback in the attacking third — turning toward the goal, attacking the space behind the defender with speed, and knowing what to do after the beat, whether a pass, a cross, a shot, or dribbling on to the end line.
How it runs — the whole game in one sentence
The server plays into a winger, who goes 1v1 to beat the fullback down the line — only then can the ball come inside, where the 4v4 tries to score.
1Organize the players▾
Coach does
Split the team into six attackers, six defenders, a goalkeeper, and a server. Put a left winger and a defender in the left lane, a right winger and a defender in the right lane, and the remaining players 4v4 between the lanes. Only the winger and the outside fullback are allowed in each lane.
Coach says
Wingers, those lanes are yours — just you and your fullback in there. Everyone else, four on four in the middle.
2Show the jobs▾
Coach does
Walk the flow — the server plays the ball into one of the two wingers to begin. The fullback lets the winger turn and face them before applying pressure. The winger plays the 1v1, and their job is to beat the fullback down the line. Only after beating the defender can the winger play the ball into the 4v4 — off a pass or a cross — and the offensive team attempts to score. If the defensive team wins the ball, play resets and starts over from the server at midfield.
Coach says
Turn and face your defender first — then take them on down the line. Beat them, and the middle is waiting for your ball.
3Play▾
Coach does
Run it from the server and keep the focus on the take-on. Get the wingers comfortable turning toward the goal and attacking the space behind the defender, attacking with speed — and give them ideas for what comes after the beat — a pass, a cross, a shot, or dribbling on to the end line.
Coach says
At them with speed — attack that space behind! You've beaten them — now what's your ball?
Look for: Wingers attacking the defender with speed and going for the space behind — not slowing down to wait for help.
4Switch and repeat▾
Coach does
Reset to the server after every goal or turnover and keep serving both lanes. Rotate wingers and fullbacks so both sides get the take-on. For a crossing round, only allow a cross after the winger beats the defender, and focus on crossing and finishing.
Coach says
Reset — server's ball. This round it's crosses only after you win your lane.
If it's not working
If the winger can't beat the fullback, drop the defender to 50 to 75 percent pressure — let the winger get down the line, then build the defending back up.
Want to go deeper? Optional — not needed to run the game.
Why are we doing this?
What are they learning?
How can I change it?
Easier: Limit the defensive pressure in the lanes to 50 to 75 percent so the winger can get down the line.
Harder: Only allow a cross from the winger after they beat the defender, and focus on crossing and finishing.