The Coaches' Room
11v11•Adult•In Possession

Adult full-backs are much harder to beat than the defenders I was used to

Asked by WideLane
1158 views 3 replies
I'm 18 and in my first adult season. At youth level I could knock the ball past people and use my pace, but adult full-backs get their body in the way and don't dive in. How do I stop being predictable without losing the direct part of my game?

VERIFIED COACH RESPONSE

The main adjustment is to stop relying on the first touch being enough to beat the defender. Adult full-backs are often better at staying balanced, using the touchline and waiting for you to show the ball. Try to give them a decision before you make yours: threaten outside, pause, come inside to receive, combine with a teammate, or attack after the defender has had to move their feet. You can still use your pace, but the run is more effective when you have changed the defender's body position first. Also recognise when the 1v1 is creating space for someone else. If the full-back is backing off because they respect your speed, you may already have won something without dribbling past them. Keep the directness. Add variation around it rather than replacing the strength that got you there.

COMMUNITY DISCUSSION

Join the football discussion. 3 replies

B

BackPostAgain

Player

As a full-back, if the winger only has pace I'm quite happy just protecting the line and making him show me something else. The moment he combines or comes inside, I have more decisions to make.
W

WhiteLineNoise

Player

Wide player here. The adult full-backs who annoy me most are the ones who don't bite on the first fake. I had to learn to use the pass inside and then attack them again instead of treating every touch like a dribble competition.
L

LastBusBack

Player

I'm only just learning this. I used to think passing back meant I'd lost the 1v1. Now I'm seeing that if I bounce it and get it back after the defender moves, the duel is completely different.

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