All of the player roles and duties that can be used in flank playing positions are analysed below. The flanks include all of the roles/duties that are available in the DL/DR, WBL/WBR, ML/MR and AML/AMR playing positions.
Introduction & Role Analyser
Goalkeeper Roles | Central Defence Roles
Central Midfield Roles | Flank Roles | Central Attack Roles
Analysed below for each flank role is:
- Game description – the description of the role/duty as given in the game.
- Player instructions – the player instructions given by the role/duty. Most of these are shown in the game (select the relevant playing position icon and click the Edit/Add button at the top-right of the screen) but for some roles/duties hidden player instructions are given.
- Complementary player traits – player traits that make a player more likely to follow the role/duty’s player instructions.
- Contrasting player traits – player traits that make a player less likely to follow the role/duty’s player instructions
Full Back
Game description:
The Full Back is a key player in modern football, having to supplement his traditional defensive duties with overlapping runs down the wing to support forward play and help attacks overload the final third.
Although primarily a defensive player, he must be prepared to get forward when the team needs extra width.
Player Instructions
- Defend duty – Hold Position, Cross From Deep, Take Fewer Risks
- Attack duty – Get Further Forward, Cross More Often
Player Traits
Complementary player traits:
- Defend and Attack duty – Crosses Early
- Defend duty – Plays No Through Balls, Plays Short Simple Passes, Stays Back At All Times
- Attack duty – Arrives Late In Opponents’ Area, Gets Forward Whenever Possible, Gets Into Opposition Area, Plays One-Twos
Contrasting player traits:
- Defend and Attack duty – Dwells On Ball
- Defend duty – Cuts Inside, Gets Forward Whenever Possible, Hugs Line, Likes To Switch Ball To Other Flank, Plays One-Twos, Tries Killer Balls Often
- Attack duty – Comes Deep To Get Ball, Likes Ball Played Into Feet, Stays Back At All Times
Wing Back
Game description:
Usually playing out wide with no wing support, the Wing Back must fulfil all the attacking and defensive duties of wingers and full backs.
In attack he must be prepared to run at his man and put in aggressive crosses, in midfield to help win the possession battle and in defence to close down opponents, block crosses and win back the ball when possible.
Player Instructions
- Run Wide With Ball
- Support and Attack duty – Get Further Forward
- Defend duty – Hold Position, Cross From Deep, Take Fewer Risks
- Attack duty – Cross From Byline, Cross More Often, Dribble More
Hidden player instructions: make more darting forward runs
Player Traits
Complementary player traits:
- Knocks Ball Past Opponent, Runs With Ball Down Left/Right
- Support and Attack duty – Arrives Late In Opponents’ Area, Gets Forward Whenever Possible, Gets Into Opposition Area, Plays One-Twos
- Defend duty – Crosses Early, Plays No Through Balls, Plays Short Simple Passes
- Attack duty – Runs With Ball Often, Tries To Play Way Out Of Trouble, Tries Tricks
Contrasting player traits:
- Cuts Inside, Dwells On Ball, Likes To Beat Man Repeatedly, Stays Back At All Times
- Support and Attack duty – Comes Deep To Get Ball, Likes Ball Played Into Feet
- Defend duty – Gets Forward Whenever Possible, Hugs Line, Likes To Switch Ball To Other Flank, Plays One-Twos, Tries Killer Balls Often
- Attack duty – Crosses Early, Runs With Ball Rarely, Stops Play
No-Nonsense Full Back
Game description:
The No-Nonsense Full Back knows his strengths and weaknesses and focuses predominantly on his defensive duties, scarcely going forward into a more attacking role.
Player Instructions
- Hold Position, increase passing directness, Cross Less Often, Dribble Less, Shoot Less Often, Take Fewer Risks
Hidden player instructions: use more tactical discipline
Player Traits
Complementary player traits: Plays No Through Balls, Refrains From Taking Long Shots, Runs With Ball Rarely, Stays Back At All Times, Tries Long Range Passes
Contrasting player traits: Crosses Early, Cuts Inside, Dictates Tempo, Gets Forward Whenever Possible, Hugs Line, Knocks Ball Past Opponent, Likes To Beat Man Repeatedly, Likes To Switch Ball To Other Flank, Plays One-Twos, Plays Short Simple Passes, Runs With Ball Down Left/Right, Runs With Ball Often, Shoots From Distance, Tries Killer Balls Often, Tries To Play Way Out Of Trouble, Tries Tricks
Complete Wing Back
Game description:
The Complete Wing Back loves to attack, and whilst he is capable of occupying his defensive duties, his natural inclination is to affect the game in the opposition’s defensive third by roaming from his position.
Player Instructions
- Get Further Forward, Stay Wider, Roam From Position, Run Wide With Ball, Dribble More
- Attack duty – Cross From Byline, Cross More Often
Hidden player instructions: make more darting forward runs, use more creative freedom
Player Traits
Complementary player traits:
- Arrives Late In Opponents’ Area, Dictates Tempo, Gets Forward Whenever Possible, Knocks Ball Past Opponent, Plays One-Twos, Runs With Ball Down Left/Right, Runs With Ball Often, Tries To Play way Out Of Trouble, Tries Tricks
- Support duty – Stops Play
Contrasting player traits:
- Comes Deep To Get Ball, Cuts Inside, Dwells On Ball, Gets Into Opposition Area, Hugs Line, Likes Ball Played Into Feet, Likes To Beat Man Repeatedly, Moves Into Channels, Plays No Through Balls, Plays Short Simple Passes, Runs With Ball Rarely, Runs With Ball Through Centre, Stays Back At All Times
- Attack duty – Crosses Early, Stops Play
Inverted Wing Back
Game description:
The Inverted Wing Back will function defensively much like a standard Full Back or Wing Back. However, while a normal Wing Back will offer width to an attack, the Inverted Wing Back (when he has a player ahead of him and where there are fewer than two defensive midfielders) will attempt to drift inside and create space for players around him.
If there is no teammate ahead of him on his side of the pitch then the Inverted Wing Back will look to support attacks in a more traditional manner, when there is, he will look to affect play in the middle of the pitch as much as possible.
Player Instructions
- Sit Narrower, Cut Inside With Ball, Cross Less Often
- Support and Attack duty – Roam From Position
- Defend duty – Hold Position, Dribble Less
- Attack duty – Get Further Forward, Dribble More, Take More Risks
Hidden player instructions: use more creative freedom
Player Traits
Complementary player traits:
- Dictates Tempo, Stops Play
- Support and Attack duty – Cuts Inside
- Defend duty – Runs With Ball Rarely, Stays Back At All Times
- Attack duty – Arrives Late In Opponents’ Area, Gets Forward Whenever Possible, Gets Into Opposition Area, Likes To Switch Ball To Other Flank, Moves Into Channels, Plays One-Twos, Runs With Ball Often, Runs With Ball Through Centre, Tries Killer Balls Often, Tries To Play Way Out Of Trouble, Tries Tricks
Contrasting player traits:
- Crosses Early, Dwells On Ball, Hugs Line, Knocks Ball Past Opponent, Likes To Beat Man Repeatedly, Plays No Through Balls, Plays Short Simple Passes, Runs With Ball Down Left/Right
- Support and Attack duty – Stays Back At All Times
- Defend duty – Cuts Inside, Gets Forward Whenever Possible, Plays One-Twos, Runs With Ball Often, Runs With Ball Through Centre, Tries To Play Way Out Of Trouble, Tries Tricks
- Attack duty – Comes Deep To Get Ball, Likes Ball Played Into Feet, Runs With Ball Rarely
Wide Inverted Wing Back
The Inverted Wing Back stays wider off the ball when the team has possession if no MR/ML or AMR/AML is used on his flank or if an off-centre DMC is used on the same side.
Wide Midfielder
Game description:
The Wide Midfielder performs defensive and attacking duties on the flanks, supporting the forwards, midfield and defence when required.
Generally lacking either the explosive pace or exciting dribbling skills of an out-and-out Winger, the Wide Midfielder relies on teamwork and work rate to get into dangerous attacking positions without compromising his defensive responsibilities.
Player Instructions
- Defend duty – decrease pressing intensity, Hold Position, Cross From Deep, Dribble Less, Take Fewer Risks
- Attack duty – Get Further Forward
Player Traits
Complementary player traits:
- Defend duty – Crosses Early, Plays No Through Balls, Plays Short Simple Passes, Runs With Ball Rarely, Stays Back At All Times
- Attack duty – Gets Forward Whenever Possible, Gets Into Opposition Area, Plays One-Twos
Contrasting player traits:
- Defend duty – Cuts Inside, Dwells On Ball, Gets Forward Whenever Possible, Hugs Line, Knocks Ball Past Opponent, Likes To Beat Man Repeatedly, Likes To Switch Ball To Other Flank, Plays One-Twos, Runs With Ball Down Left/Right, Runs With Ball Often, Tries Killer Balls Often, Tries To Play Way Out Of Trouble, Tries Tricks
- Attack duty – Comes Deep To Get Ball, Likes Ball Played Into Feet, Stays Back At All Times
Winger
Game description:
The Winger aims to beat his man on the outside and needs to be technically proficient as well as quick in order to do so.
The Winger hugs the touchline when the team is going forward, ready to surge into space and attack the byline.
Player Instructions
- Stay Wider, Run Wide With Ball, Cross More Often, Dribble More
- Attack duty – Get Further Forward, Cross From Byline
Player Traits
Complementary player traits:
- Hugs Line, Knocks Ball Past Opponent, Likes To Round Keeper, Runs With Ball Down Left/Right, Runs With Ball Often, Tries To Play Way Out Of Trouble, Tries Tricks
- Support duty – Crosses Early
- Attack duty – Gets Forward Whenever Possible, Likes to Beat Offside Trap, Plays One-Twos
Contrasting player traits:
- Cuts Inside, Dwells On Ball, Gets Into Opposition Area, Likes To Beat Man Repeatedly, Moves Into Channels, Runs With Ball Rarely
- Attack duty – Comes Deep To Get Ball, Crosses Early, Likes Ball Played Into Feet, Stays Back At All Times, Stops Play
Defensive Winger
Game description:
The Defensive Winger aims to press the opposing full backs, win back the ball high up the pitch and either hold it up for the rest of the team, drive to the byline or get in a quick cross or through ball for the forwards.
Player Instructions
- Significantly increase pressing intensity, Tackle Harder, Run Wide With Ball
- Defend duty – Hold Position, Cross From Deep, Take Fewer Risks
- Support duty – Stay Wider, Cross More Often, Dribble More
Player Traits
Complementary player traits:
- Crosses Early, Dives Into Tackles, Knocks Ball Past Opponent, Runs With Ball Down Left/Right
- Defend duty – Plays No Through Balls, Plays Short Simple Passes, Stays Back At All Times
- Support duty – Hugs Line, Runs With Ball Often, Tries To Play Way Out Of Trouble, Tries Tricks
Contrasting player traits:
- Cuts Inside, Dwells On Ball, Likes To Beat Man Repeatedly
- Defend duty – Gets Forward Whenever Possible, Hugs Line, Likes To Switch Ball To Other Flank, Plays One-Twos, Tries Killer Balls Often
- Support duty – Gets Into Opposition Area, Moves Into Channels, Runs With Ball Rarely
Wide Playmaker
Game description:
The Wide Playmaker will act as the team’s primary source of creativity, drifting inside to find space from which to play the killer ball and create chances. Coming in from the wing allows the Wide Playmaker to escape the hustle and bustle of central midfield and can result in him being unmarked by opposition players.
Defensively the Wide Playmaker will take up his position on the wing to provide cover for his full back; however, he is not expected to make too many tackles but instead he should take up good defensive positions and provide another body in the defensive line.
Player Instructions
- Sit Narrower, Roam From Position, Cut Inside With Ball, Cross Less Often, Shoot Less Often, Take More Risks
- Attack duty – Dribble More
Hidden player instructions:
- Collect the ball more, use more creative freedom, focus play (this role is a playmaker focal role which instructs a player’s teammates to pass to him more often)
Player Traits
Complementary player traits:
- Comes Deep To Get Ball, Cuts Inside, Dictates Tempo, Likes Ball Played Into Feet, Likes To Switch Ball To Other Flank, Looks For Pass Rather Than Attempting To Score, Moves Into Channels, Refrains From Taking Long Shots, Stops Play, Tries Killer Balls Often
- Attack duty – Likes To Round Keeper, Runs With Ball Often, Runs With Ball Through Centre, Tries To Play Way Out Of Trouble, Tries Tricks
Contrasting player traits:
- Attempts Overhead Kicks, Crosses Early, Dwells On Ball, Gets Forward Whenever Possible, Gets Into Opposition Area, Hugs Line, Knocks Ball Past Opponent, Likes To Beat Man Repeatedly, Likes To Lob Keeper, Shoots From Distance, Plays No Through Balls, Plays Short Simple Passes, Runs With Ball Down Left/Right, Stays Back At All Times, Tries First Time Shots
- Attack duty – Runs With Ball Rarely
Inverted Winger
Game description:
The Inverted Winger aims to frequently cut inside into the attacking third to open up space for overlapping full backs and to subsequently overload retreating defenders. The Inverted Winger works best when the player’s strongest foot is opposite to the side of the pitch he’s playing on.
Player Instructions
- Cut Inside With Ball, Dribble More
- Attack duty – Get Further Forward
Player Traits
Complementary player traits:
- Cuts Inside, Likes To Round Keeper, Runs With Ball Often, Runs With Ball Through Centre, Tries To Play Way Out Of Trouble, Tries Tricks
- Attack duty – Gets Forward Whenever Possible, Gets Into Opposition Area, Likes To Beat Offside Trap, Plays One-Twos
Contrasting player traits:
- Dwells On Ball, Knocks Ball Past Opponent, Likes To Beat Man Repeatedly, Runs With Ball Down Left/Right, Runs With Ball Rarely
- Attack duty – Comes Deep To Get Ball, Likes Ball Played Into Feet, Stays Back At All Times
Advanced Playmaker
Game description:
The Advanced Playmaker aims to drop into the holes between the opposition’s midfield and defence, making himself available for his teammates’ passes and aiming to turn defence into attack in an instant.
Player Instructions
- Cut Inside With Ball, Cross Less Often, Shoot Less Often, Take More Risks
- Attack duty – Dribble More
Hidden player instructions: sit between the lines more, make more lateral runs, collect the ball more, use more creative freedom, focus play (this role is a playmaker focal role which instructs a player’s teammates to pass to him more often)
Player Traits
Complementary player traits:
- Comes Deep To Get Ball, Cuts Inside, Dictates Tempo, Does Not Move Into Channels, Likes Ball Played Into Feet, Likes To Switch Ball To Other Flank, Looks For Pass Rather Than Attempting To Score, Refrains From Taking Long Shots, Stops Play, Tries Killer Balls Often
- Attack duty – Likes To Round Keeper, Runs With Ball Often, Runs With Ball Through Centre, Tries To Play Way Out Of Trouble, Tries Tricks
Contrasting player traits:
- Attempts Overhead Kicks, Crosses Early, Dwells On Ball, Gets Forward Whenever Possible, Gets Into Opposition Area, Hugs Line, Knocks Ball Past Opponent, Likes To Beat Man Repeatedly, Likes To Beat Offside Trap, Likes To Lob Keeper, Moves Into Channels, Shoots From Distance, Plays No Through Balls, Plays Short Simple Passes, Runs With Ball Down Left/Right, Tries First Time Shots
- Attack duty – Runs With Ball Rarely
Inside Forward
Game description:
The Inside Forward aims to cut inside from the flanks and run directly at the centre of the opposition’s defence and works best when the player’s strongest foot is opposite to the flank he is playing on.
This movement can open up space for overlapping Full Backs as well as overloading a retreating defender, although it can also end up with the player running into cul-de-sacs.
Player Instructions
- Cut Inside With Ball, Cross Less Often, Dribble More, Take More Risks
- Attack duty – Get Further Forward
Hidden player instructions: make more lateral runs
Player Traits
Complementary player traits:
- Cuts Inside, Likes To Round Keeper, Likes To Switch Ball To Other Flank, Runs With Ball Often, Runs With Ball Through Centre, Tries Killer Balls Often, Tries To Play Way Out Of Trouble, Tries Tricks
- Attack duty – Gets Forward Whenever Possible, Gets Into Opposition Area, Likes To Beat Offside Trap, Plays One-Twos
Contrasting player traits:
- Crosses Early, Dwells On Ball, Knocks Ball Past Opponent, Likes To Beat Man Repeatedly, Plays No Through Balls, Plays Short Simple Passes, Runs With Ball Down Left/Right, Runs With Ball Rarely
- Attack duty – Comes Deep To Get Ball, Likes Ball Played Into Feet, Stays Back At All Times
Trequartista
Game description:
While similar to the Advanced Playmaker in that he aims to drop into the holes between the opposition’s midfield and defence, the Trequartista does far less defensively and simply drifts around looking for space when the team is not in possession.
As such, the rest of the team needs to carry him when defending, but use him as the main outlet when attacking.
Player Instructions
- Significantly decrease pressing intensity, Ease Off Tackles, Roam From Position, Dribble More, Take More Risks
Hidden player instructions: collect the ball more, use more creative freedom, focus play (this role is a playmaker focal role which instructs a player’s teammates to pass to him more often)
Player Traits
Complementary player traits: Comes Deep To Get Ball, Cuts Inside, Dictates Tempo, Knocks Ball Past Opponent, Likes Ball Played Into Feet, Likes To Round Keeper, Likes To Switch Ball To Other Flank, Runs With Ball Often, Runs With Ball Through Centre, Stops Play, Tries Killer Balls Often, Tries To Play Way Out Of Trouble, Tries Tricks
Contrasting player traits: Dives Into Tackles, Dwells On Ball, Gets Forward Whenever Possible, Gets Into Opposition Area, Hugs Line, Likes To Beat Offside Trap, Plays No Through Balls, Plays Short Simple Passes, Runs With Ball Rarely, Stays Back At All Times
Wide Target Man
Game description:
The Wide Target Man will be the main outlet for clearances and long balls from the back. Ideally positioned against a smaller and weaker full back, he will be asked to get hold of the ball and keep it before recycling it to a teammate.
Player Instructions
- Hold Up Ball, Dribble Less
- Support duty – Hold Position
- Attack duty – Get Further Forward
Hidden player instructions: focus play directly (this role is a target-man focal role which instructs a player’s teammates to pass to him more often with increased passing directness)
Player Traits
Complementary player traits:
- Runs With Ball Rarely, Stops Play
- Support duty – Does Not Move Into Channels
- Attack duty – Gets Forward Whenever Possible, Gets Into Opposition Area, Likes To Beat Offside Trap, Plays One-Twos
Contrasting player traits:
- Comes Deep To Get Ball, Cuts Inside, Knocks Ball Past Opponent, Likes Ball Played Into Feet, Likes To Beat Man Repeatedly, Likes To Round Keeper, Runs With Ball Down Left/Right, Runs With Ball Often, Tries To Play Way Out Of Trouble, Tries Tricks
- Support duty – Gets Forward Whenever Possible, Gets Into Opposition Area, Hugs Line, Likes To Beat Offside Trap, Moves Into Channels, Plays One-Twos
- Attack duty – Stays Back At All Times
Raumdeuter
Game description:
The Raumdeuter literally translated from German means ‘space investigator’. His main role is to find pockets of space in which to operate. Essentially a wide poacher, the Raumdeuter takes up seemingly harmless positions out wide, waiting for the opportune moment to burst through the defensive line for that telling shot or cross.
He is difficult for defenders to pick up as he will often drift from his assigned position looking for any opportunity to exploit. This can result in quiet periods during which the Raumdeuter may neglect his defensive duties, therefore adequate cover and a strong team shape are key in order to fully utilise his attacking prowess in the final third.
Player Instructions
- Get Further Forward, Sit Narrower, Move Into Channels, Roam From Position, decrease passing directness, Cross Less Often
Hidden instructions: make more dribbles into channels
Player Traits
Complementary player traits: Gets Forward Whenever Possible, Gets Into Opposition Area, Likes To Beat Offside Trap, Moves Into Channels, Plays One-Twos, Plays Short Simple Passes
Contrasting player traits: Comes Deep To Get Ball, Crosses Early, Does Not Move Into Channels, Dwells On Ball, Hugs Line, Likes Ball Played Into Feet, Likes To Switch Ball To Other Flank, Runs With Ball Rarely, Stays Back At All Times, Tries Long Range Passes
Related Guides
Other Player Roles & Duties Guides
- Introduction & Role Analyser
- Goalkeeper Roles
- Central Defence Roles
- Central Midfield Roles
- Central Attack Roles
Related Tactics Guides
- Role Combinations – to choose player roles and duties that suit your playing style and carry out positional responsibilities appropriately.
- Player Instructions – analysis of player instructions, including hidden player instructions.
- Player Traits – analysis of player traits.