Winger

A winger is a player who operates primarily on the wide areas of a football pitch, ice rink, or rugby field. Wingers are typically tasked with providing width, stretching the opponent’s defense, delivering crosses or passes, and contributing to both attack and defend depending on the sport and tactical setup.

In association football (soccer), wingers usually occupy the left or right flank. They rely on pace, dribbling, and crossing ability to create scoring opportunities for strikers and teammates. Wingers can stay wide to exploit space or cut inside to shoot, a trend often seen with inverted wingers who prefer to attack from the inside with their stronger foot. Modern systems may use three or four forwards, with wingers interchanging positions to destabilize defenses.

In rugby union and rugby league, wingers stand on the far left or right of the line. Speed and finishing ability are prized, as they are frequently called upon to score tries, chase kicks, and defend wide channels. Wingers must balance attacking runs with positional coverage and tackling in open play.

In ice hockey, the left wing and right wing are forward positions on the left and right sides of the center. Wingers focus on offensive plays, puck support, scoring opportunities, and forechecking, while also tracking back to help the defense when required.

Winger can also refer to other uses. It is a surname and, in music, to the American rock band Winger, formed in 1988 by Kip Winger. The band gained fame in the late 1980s with hits such as Seventeen.