If you are one of your team's most versatile players, it's likely that your coach will put you in as a winger, also known as a right or left midfielder. Wingers roar up and down the edge of the field, using stamina, speed and skill to bring the ball in to the forwards so they can score. They need to know how to "do it all" except for playmaking, which remains the role of the central midfielder.
Cross the Ball
If your coach wants you to play the "long ball," relying on long passes like teams in England's Premier League, bring the ball down the sideline of the field almost to the end line. From this area in the corner of the field, cross the ball, which means chip it across the goalmouth, to create scoring chances for teammates rushing up the center of the field. Cut the ball back so the ball heads not straight to the goal but on an angle slightly away from it. That way your forward can run onto the ball and give it a good wallop. If your team plays "total football," the Dutch style emphasizing constant involvement by all players, or the American and Latin possession style relying on short passes, bring the ball in to the forwards by dribbling and making short passes.
Help Out Everywhere
Operate as an all-purpose, do-anything player who can go anywhere, relying on your exceptional stamina to run more than any player except perhaps your central defender. Defend against the other team's midfielder playing across from you. Defend against forwards making overlapping runs into your area. Use the sideline as a double team; force the other player away from the middle of the field by blocking her way with your torso and your well-positioned feet, also using jabs at the ball and shoulder charges. Perform overlapping runs via the give-and-go: Dish the ball to your forward and then run in to goal yourself to receive a return ball and score.
Use Speed and Skill
Roar past your rival's midfield. Use your one-on-one dribbling skills to bring the ball down the sideline. Stop and start again and use fakes to get past your defender and accelerate toward the end line or the goal itself. Surprise your opponent by cutting to the inside and drawing the central midfielder or the defense, recommends Jake O'Callaghan at the online site Complete Soccer Guide. If you lack speed, use a strong leg to make crosses; if your leg strength is average, use speed or deception to bring the ball in closer to where you can threaten for a score.
Study Video
To get inspiration you can apply during your matches, watch U.S. star Landon Donovan of the L.A. Galaxy, able to assist or score as needed at the World Cup level, or Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo, who manages prolific scoring as a winger. Or track down historic footage of Marc Overmars of Arsenal and Barcelona, a perpetual motion machine, whose nickname was "the Roadrunner." Draw on their moves when faced with on-field situations that require pro-level response.
