WIDE MIDFIELDER

Wide midfielders play on the left or right side of midfield, generally between the defenders and the forwards.

Their position changes often depending on:

• where the ball is

• which team has possession

• where teammates need support
  
  

They should avoid staying stuck on the sideline or drifting aimlessly inside. Instead, they should look to be wide enough to create space, but close enough to stay connected to the team.

A helpful way to explain it: “Be wide enough to help — but not so wide you’re out of the play.”

1) Create width when the team has the ball

When your team is in possession, wide midfielders help by spreading the field.

This means:

• staying wide to pull defenders out of the middle

• giving teammates a clear passing option on the outside

• creating space for central players to operate

Being wide doesn’t always mean hugging the sideline — it means occupying outside space so the defense has to respect it.

2) Support the attack with smart decisions

Wide midfielders often receive the ball in space, which makes decision-making especially important.

When they get the ball, they should quickly decide:

• Can I move forward with space?

• Is there a teammate in a better position?

• Is there pressure coming?

Good attacking options often include:

• passing forward to a teammate making a run

• playing a simple pass inside to a midfielder

• dribbling forward if space is clearly available

The goal is not to beat multiple players every time — it’s to move the attack forward in a smart way.

3) Help defend the outside areas

When the other team has the ball, wide midfielders must help defend — especially along the sideline.

Their defensive responsibilities include:

• getting goal-side of the ball

• slowing down wide attacks

• helping protect the space in front of the defenders

They don’t need to win the ball immediately. Often their job is to delay and allow defenders to get set.

A simple coaching phrase: “First job is to get back and help.”

4) Track back when the team is under pressure

Wide midfielders must be willing to run back and support defenders when the team is defending for extended periods.

Tracking back means:

• getting goal-side of the ball

• staying connected to the nearest defender

• helping prevent easy passes or crosses

At the rec level, this effort alone can prevent many goals.

5) Move inside when it helps the team

Wide midfielders don’t have to stay wide all the time.

There are moments when moving inside helps:

• when the ball is on the opposite side

• when the middle needs extra support

• when defenders need help protecting space in front of goal

When the ball is far away but close to your goal, the wide midfielder should slide inward, helping protect the middle while staying ready to move back out if the ball switches.

A simple way to explain this: “If the danger is in the middle, help in the middle.”

6) React quickly when possession is lost

When the team loses the ball, wide midfielders should react immediately.

Their first jobs are to:

• get goal-side

• apply pressure if close enough

• help slow the next pass

This quick reaction often determines whether the team defends calmly or gets caught scrambling.

Wide midfielders rely most on:

• Ball control: handling the ball near the sideline

• Passing: making simple, accurate passes

• Dribbling: moving into space when it’s there

• Awareness: knowing when to stay wide or move inside

• Defensive effort: tracking back and helping teammates
  
  

They don’t need to be the fastest or flashiest players — they need to be reliable and aware.

When teaching wide midfielders in rec soccer, focus on:

• creating width in attack

• getting goal-side quickly when defending

• helping defenders on the outside

• making smart decisions with the ball
  
  

If a wide midfielder understands those ideas, they are doing their job — even if they don’t score or get assists.