17 Sep 2018 20:34:28
Ed001, I've recently started playing as a right back for a Saturday League side. I've never played the position properly before though, so I'm struggling on the positioning side of things. It's easy to see on a TV camera, but not so easy on the ground in the thick of things. Are there particular triggers you should look out for regarding when to overlap, and when not to? Or when to defend narrow and when to hug the touchline?

I'm really enjoying playing a more defensive role but I feel like I'm having to sprint too often because I've not read the play well enough. It's easy to point out mistakes, but I have no idea how to correct myself. I know I'm not spotting danger early enough but I don't know what to look for as I've played primarily offensive roles for the best part of 15 years.

{Ed001's Note - to be honest it is difficult to give triggers without knowing the team you play for and what they are likely to see. If they are crap, then there is little point making a forward run if the ball is on the other side of the pitch and you are better off coming over on the cover as a defender.

Does the wideman in front of you cut inside a lot? Because if he does you could look for him looking to make a run inside and then take up the space outside him. You are very reliant on your team mates having the ability to spot the run and pick it out though.}


1.) 17 Sep 2018
17 Sep 2018 21:21:17
I used to play as a left back myself MK (albeit I am right-footed - I truly was the 2013-14 Jon Flanagan of my youth league. ) .

I always found that at that sort of level, it’s best to arrive late to attacks, even if the winger in front of you cuts inside frequently as Ed001 says.

Your job first and foremost as a right back is to make sure you have their left winger marked - and if you’re bombing up the pitch too early, you’re going to be sprinting back (likely to no avail) an awful lot.

The main key is to build an understanding with the winger ahead of you. If you know each other’s game, you’ll learn to time your overlapping runs to suit how he plays.

As Ed001 says though, easier to answer this if we know how your team plays!

{Ed025's Note - i cant believe you would associate yourself with anything to do with jon flanagan reid ...choose someone who is not a scumbag next time mate..


2.) 17 Sep 2018
17 Sep 2018 21:44:08
Fortunately that’s where the similarities end, Ed025! Was a tongue in cheek comment of course.

{Ed025's Note - of course mate, you are better than that reid..


3.) 18 Sep 2018
17 Sep 2018 23:34:55
I loved to play as a left winger. Once my asthma getting worst, I started to play as a wingback or a leftback. Yeah it wasn't easy at all to read things. There were lots of running too, way way too much for my condition that time, and way way lots more than being an attacker.


4.) 18 Sep 2018
17 Sep 2018 23:52:28
MK come and play in a decent defensive unit at the next Matt Hawker cup game, John and I will sort your positioning out buddy, you’ll have a sore left ear by the end. Failing that go stand next to Ken, not to close though he might mistake you for our new Belgian buddy and give you abuse 🤭.


5.) 18 Sep 2018
18 Sep 2018 00:49:21
How your opposition set up is also critical to what you can and can't do in a game. As I got older and slower I played CB and would make sure my full backs were young and ready to run a lot :) I'd tell them early in the game to get forward and let's see what the opposing winger does. Will he follow you or will he take up the space you've left vacant? Like has been said, if you're a decent time who like to get forward, then the modern full back can really get involved more than back in the day. If you get beat 5-0 most games, then do your main job of listening to your CB and covering your man.


6.) 18 Sep 2018
18 Sep 2018 09:59:08
K68, you're on mate! Clean sheets all around haha.

Cheers Ed001. The guy in front of me does cut in quite a lot as we play a narrow front 3 so perhaps I could only look for the overlap when he does tuck inside their full back. We're a good side to to be fair, but We're newly promoted to the league so I'll try holding back if the ball is on the other side of the pitch. Hopefully save me a few lung bursting sprints back into position. Cheers mate.

Any advice is welcomed so thanks to everyone. I had no idea how hard it is to learn a new position.

{Ed001's Note - the most basic thing is, get goalside before making any kind of challenge. It is easy to forget that, but it is something all defenders should look to do.}


7.) 18 Sep 2018
18 Sep 2018 10:04:40
Cheers Reid. We play a narrow 4-3-3. One midfielder sits back, 2 join the attack. High defensive line. A big target man, and two wide men who just drift into space.

I like your advice. I'll take more notice of what our right winger does and try and anticipate his movements next time.

I also like your idea Burkey. Push on and see if the winger will follow etc. Cheers guys.


8.) 18 Sep 2018
18 Sep 2018 10:43:14
As a fellow FB I can't really offer any advice because I don't get forward much. But one advice I can offer is that you build thick skin early because as a FB you will be blamed for every single goal that comes from wide. You can stop 50 crosses a game, the CB's will blame you for the one that got through and they didn't challenge. Just the way of the world sadly.


9.) 18 Sep 2018
18 Sep 2018 11:20:24
I can't offer any advice MK because I wouldn't know where to begin mate! but good luck, I'm sure you'll adapt to the new position, your hard work and determination I'm sure will eventually pay off and you'll be confident in the position you're playing in. It just takes time mate so stick with it :) I look forward to seeing your progression next year at the charity game!


10.) 18 Sep 2018
18 Sep 2018 11:21:08
i have a love/ hate relationship with the fullback position. great position to get lots of ball. I'd lean towards playing more defensively and pickin momnts to overlap. otherwise, as ed1 said, if you are in an average team you'll be sprinting upfield only to tun around and have to sprint back again with no one covering you!

but if you in a better team then presumably you're training and I'd say the key is have great communication with the key player on your side of the pitch.


11.) 18 Sep 2018
18 Sep 2018 11:34:49
Well done MK, wish I had the confidence to go and play again in a team. There are several analytical and coachy style videos on YouTube you could have a look at as well, dedicated to fullbacks/ wingbacks etc. You might find some useful pointers there. Good luck.


12.) 18 Sep 2018
18 Sep 2018 15:56:18
Just relax mate, if u have played in a more attacking role a right back slot should be easier. U have it all in front of u. Tuck in about 10 yards to the right of your centre back and ease your way into the game. Once u become more secure in your own mind then pick and choose the appropriate times to bomb on, ensuring your right midfielder is on the same page!


13.) 18 Sep 2018
18 Sep 2018 17:00:51
Let's face it - some players will be used as a role-model. Steven Gerrard is such a player and his behaviour off the field wasn't always what it should be. The same goes for the likes of Terry and Rooney to name but two.