Wingers play a pivotal role on the soccer ⚽pitch. They are known for their speed, agility, and flair. They can create chaos for defenders and deliver stunning crosses to their forwards. But how can you elevate your game and become a standout winger?
This week, Blayze coach Mike Semenza brings you tips on how you can develop your skills to be a strong winger for your team.
Because wingers work both offense and defense, they cover the most ground on the field during a game. Wingers need to be effective attackers who have quality speed, shooting, dribbling, and crosses. Wingers also need strong 💪defending skills for 1v1 situations and to apply pressure.
Wingers usually have one attribute that stands out over the rest. These can include things like acceleration, sprint speed, 1v1 dribbling skills, a dangerous shot from outside the box, or the ability to cross the ball into all different areas of the 18-yard box
Pace and Stamina🏃🏼
Wingers require a combination of speed and endurance. If you want acceleration and speed to be your best attributes, go work on short to medium-distance sprints with and without the ball at your feet. Try different distances like 10-20 yards. Regular interval running and agility drills can help you increase both your stamina and your acceleration.
Master 1v1 Situations💪⚽
You will often find yourself in one-on-one situations against defenders. It is crucial to have several moves to beat your opponents. Practice dribbling techniques such as step-overs, feints, and quick changes of direction.
If you want to become a deadly 1v1 dribbler, get out to the field and work on dribbling at speed at a marker combined with technical skill moves to shake off defenders. Want to develop a dangerous shot? Work on running at the goal from an angle and cutting to the inside or outside to set up for a curled or driven shot.
Crossing Ability🥅⚽
A quality winger can accurately cross the ball into the box for their strikers to have goal-scoring opportunities. Focus on both driven crosses and floated balls. Remember, accuracy is more important than power when crossing.
You may not score the goals, but your team needs someone to assist them! Set up a dribbling lane in the wide channel, push the ball forward like you just won a 1v1, and swing the ball into different areas of the box.
Spatial Awareness🚀🧠
You will want to develop your spatial awareness to better assist your team. Understand when to cut inside, when to stay wide, and when to support your defenders. Watching games and analyzing top wingers can offer insights into positioning and decision-making. Pick out a winger you look up to and study their movements and actions in games to see how you can replicate those skills as well!
Whatever it is you want to develop, focus on developing that one trait and mastering it in games. Once you feel confident, move on to developing some of these other skills in your training. And do not be afraid to ask your coaches what you can specifically work on to help the team!⚽
Do you have a question that you want answered? Reply to this email with your question and you might see it answered in our next newsletter!
Article of the Week: 3 Elements Every Soccer Player Needs to Aware of When Crossing into the Box
Being able to cross a soccer ball into the box is an important skill to have in your skillset. Read along to learn more.