How to Up Your Game as a Wing Player in Soccer

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Improve your strategy, speed, and agility with our guide
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In soccer, “wingers” are the offensive players who hang out near the sidelines, looking for the perfect opportunity to assist a striker with a clean pass. They’re an essential part of any team, and they’re also some of the most skilled players on the field. We’ll tell you more about who they are and what they do , and then we’ll show you how to improve your winger strategy , agility , and speed , with the help of soccer coach Walter Merino.

What makes a good winger in soccer?

Soccer coach Walter Merino says to practice with a soccer ball almost every day that you can in order to improve, and to focus on dribbling drills like using both feet, dribbling against a wall, and facing off against a defender. The best wing players are fast, agile, and always know what’s going on on the field.

Section 1 of 4:

Understanding the Wing Role

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  1. Wingers play on the sides of the field and set up strikers for goals. Wingers are important assistants on the field. They hang out near the opponent’s goal, on the left and right sides near the sidelines. Their job is to take the ball past the opposing defenders and pass it to a striker, who can then score a goal. To do this, they need great ball-handling skills and a good amount of speed. They often face defenders in a 1-on-1 battle for control. [1]
    • Wingers tend to be the fastest players on the field, but you can make up for a lack of speed with better ball handling.
    • Wingers do sometimes shoot goals when they have a good chance, but they’re mostly focused on passing into the center of the field to a striker.
    • Iconic wingers include players like Lionel Messi, Gareth Bale, Ryan Giggs, George Best, Garrincha, Mohamed Salah, Ronaldinho, and Stanley Matthews.

    Meet the wikiHow Expert

    Walter Merino is a Youth Soccer Coach and Co-Founder of Ole Soccer Club in Los Angeles, California area. He’s coached youth to college-level teams and has played collegiate soccer for Cal Poly Pomona and Los Angeles Mission College.

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Section 2 of 4:

Mastering Winger Positioning & Strategy

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  1. As a winger, soccer strategy is key, and a big part of that means getting open and ready to receive the ball once your team gains position. The moment you see a defender or midfielder get the ball, make yourself open for a pass. Move toward the sidelines, or toward the center of the field, making a clear shot for someone to pass to you. [2]
    • Also, move toward the opponent’s goal, not back toward midfield. This helps you keep your positioning and momentum. A good teammate will be able to make that pass downfield.
    • Usually, this means staying closer to the goal than whoever’s defending you while staying open, so that when the pass comes, you don’t even have to dribble past them.
  2. Chances are, an opposing defender will try to stick to you like glue. When the ball is in your team’s defense zone, that’s alright. But when the ball is coming up the field toward you, it’s time to get tricky and lose your defender. This might mean cutting in toward the center of the field. [3] The moment your defender is distracted, break away! [4]
    • This might mean zigzagging, sneaking away, or just making a fast break straight back. Your goal is to confuse and exhaust the defender and make their job hard.
  3. It’s all in the name—“winger.” Your job is to spread out and “make width” on the field, which makes your offense harder for the other team to defend against. It also makes getting open and passing easier, since the other team’s defense is spread thin, and one little mistake can make your teammates open for a pass or a shot on goal. When in doubt, stay near the sidelines. [5]
  4. 4
    Focus on passing to a striker, but take the shot if you have it. As a winger, you’re always on the lookout for a good pass to a striker , who’ll try to get open near the center of the field, in front of the goal. This kind of pass is known as a “cross,” and is the bread and butter of your role. When you see a striker make a sprint to an open position, pass it straight to them to help set them up for a goal. [6]
    • Or, if you see the opportunity to shoot , go for it! You might see a straight line to the goal with no defenders, or if nobody on your team is open, you might try to take your defender 1-on-1 and move past them for a shot.
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Section 3 of 4:

Improving Your Speed & Stamina

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  1. Speed is one of the most foundational and basic skills a winger needs in their toolbox. [7] With speed, you’ll be able to bomb down the wings like Ronaldo or Messi. To improve your speed , start by running sprints, from one end of the field to the other and back. Time how long it takes you, and focus on trying to beat that time with each new attempt.
    • Run sprints like this twice a day to get your body in prime running shape.
  2. You might know them as “suicides,” and while it’s not a super-friendly name, it’s a super-effective drill. Start at one end of the field and sprint to the first crosswise line, then back to the start. Then, sprint to the next line farther away, then back, and repeat over the entire length of the field. [8]
    • This helps you increase your speed over a longer period of time, so you can push yourself harder for longer.
    • Aim to do this drill once a day.
    • To make it more effective, perform the drill while dribbling a ball.
  3. 3
    Run up hills or stairs to strengthen your legs. Running uphill is much harder than running on a level field, which is what makes it such good training. Find a hill or a long staircase—like at a stadium—and practice running up it for 5-10 minutes each day. [9] Don’t push yourself too hard, but when it feels right, start to increase your speed and see if you can maintain it up the entire hill.
    Lionel Messi, Professional Soccer Player

    Hard work and intense training will elevate your game. You have to fight to reach your dream. You have to sacrifice and work hard for it.

  4. Speed and stamina aren’t just about sprint drills. A good old-fashioned long-distance run will help you stay at a high intensity for longer periods, which is essential for a winger, who’s constantly running around upfield. Start by running a mile every other day. Then, a week later, add half a mile, and keep adding distance this way to help you boost your stamina.
    • If you like, time how long it takes to run the distance, and challenge yourself to shave seconds off that time each day.
    • Doing other distance sports, like biking or swimming, can help mix up your routine while still training your body.
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Section 4 of 4:

Improving Your Dribbling & Agility

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  1. Merino says that dribbling often during practice, changing the direction of the ball, and using both feet are essential. [10] One great drill to practice all that is the cone-dribbling drill. Set up about 15-20 cones (or any other small, stationary object) in a line, each about 2 feet (0.61 m) apart. Then, dribble the ball through the cones, weaving in and out.
    • Kick the ball between 2 cones with one foot, then use your other foot to kick it through the next 2 cones.
    • Go down the cones once while kicking with the inside of your feet, then come back and kick with the outside of your feet.
    • Practice this drill 3-4 times each day and time yourself. Aim to do it in as little time as possible, while making as few mistakes as possible.
  2. There’s no better practice than the real thing! Ask a friend to play as a defender, then attempt to dribble the ball past them. Ask them to do their best to stop you and get possession of the ball. Try to dribble past them to a goal line without them touching the ball. [11] Merino says to focus on your “ability to change direction, to manipulate the ball, to fake one way and go the other way.” [12]
    • This helps you think on your feet and react quickly, just like in a real game.
    • For extra practice, ask a second friend to stay “open” as a teammate, and try to pass to them while fending off the defender.
  3. Merino tells us that if you don’t have a teammate to help you practice, dribbling against a wall can be a great substitute and that it “helps you control the ball, works on your first touch, works on your passing, works on your receiving.” [13] Find a solid, smooth wall, like the side of your home, and kick the ball against it, then practice receiving the ball when it bounces back, and kick it at the wall again.
    • Do this while dribbling in a line parallel to the wall to help you dribble on the move.
  4. Dribbling isn’t the only ball skill a wing player needs. You also need to be able to pass quickly and accurately, and to shoot accurately as well. To practice this, set up a single cone, and stand about 20 feet (6.1 m) away from it. Then, simply kick the ball at it, trying to knock it over. Keep trying until you can hit it 5 times in a row, then move back 10 ft (3.0 m) and start again.
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  • Question
    How do I improve foot strength in my kicking foot?
    Community Answer
    Run up and down steps or any staircase; do that with enough intensity to build strong feet. When taking a shot, make sure you shift your body weight in the direction of your shot.
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    How can I control the ball better?
    Community Answer
    Practice your ball dribbling to work on your close control. You can also throw the ball directly in the air and judge where it will land to take it down and trap the ball.
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    During my practice, I am a good player but during a game play I become nervous. Why?
    Community Answer
    That's just natural human instinct. Learn to be confident with the ball and protect it. The nervousness should lessen the more confident you become.
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      • Positioning is key. Watch professionals play at that position and study what they do when they don't have the ball, or when the other team has the ball
      • Go to the gym to build strength in your legs, and try skills that other great wingers use/used e.g. the Elastico, Ronaldo chop, and Rainbow flick.
      • Work on your crosses as these are one of the winger's main jobs, and work on timing your runs so you're not offside.
      • Practice taking free kicks. Try to experiment with various run-ups and shot placement techniques as you go.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.bundesliga.com/en/faq/all-you-need-to-know-about-soccer/soccer-positions-explained-names-numbers-and-what-they-do-10569
      2. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AnYVrXTxDNE&t=158s
      3. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=It8Z2kddxpM&t=5s
      4. ↑ https://soccerhandbook.com/coaching-training/what-are-the-positions-in-soccer/
      5. ↑ https://www.teamplayr.us/post/the-complete-guide-to-soccer-positions-winger
      6. ↑ https://www.teamplayr.us/post/the-complete-guide-to-soccer-positions-winger
      7. ↑ https://completesoccerguide.com/soccer-winger/
      8. ↑ https://www.performancelabofcalifornia.com/7-soccer-speed-training-tips-and-techniques/
      9. ↑ https://www.performancelabofcalifornia.com/7-soccer-speed-training-tips-and-techniques/
      1. ↑ Walter Merino. Soccer Coach. Expert Interview
      2. ↑ https://www.mcminnvilleoregon.gov/sites/default/files/fileattachments/parks_and_recreation/page/299/3rd-6th_grade_drills.pdf
      3. ↑ Walter Merino. Soccer Coach. Expert Interview
      4. ↑ Walter Merino. Soccer Coach. Expert Interview

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To be a great wing player in soccer, you’ll need to be fast, agile, and know how to be in the right place at the right time. If you want to improve your speed, have a friend hold your shoulders in place as you try to run forward. After 10 seconds, have them let go, which will help you start running at full speed from a stand-still. You should also practice dribbling drills daily. Moving the ball around cones and in confined spaces is great for improving your agility. When you’re playing out on the field, look for open spaces when your team has the ball. Then, run to these places so you’re ready when someone passes to you. To learn how to improve your stamina, read on!

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