Where to start...
well I'm a right sided full-back who's probably playing at their peak (26 yrs old) at the moment.
Being in a defensive position some might say it's a priority for full backs to defend.
Others will say it's just as important to support any attack, especially down the wing you're playing on.
My current manager is hell bent on getting me to overlap to support or even take over from the right wingers duties.
I would love to agree as I much prefer attacking than defending.
However, I do find it best to err on the side of caution and perhaps take a second to read the game - delay an overlapping run in case your team mate loses the ball and you're caught out of position.
It doesn't matter how fit you are, if you're caught out of position and if you can't run 100mph you aren't going to catch up with the opposing teams play.
I'm increasingly finding that full backs need to be one of the fittest players in the team with having to support your teams attack so often but with also having to chase back to defend against an opposition attack.
Unless you have someone in your team who can take a throw in which can instantly cause problems for your opponents defence and goalkeeper then I find the full backs usually take throw ins all the way up their respective side of the pitch from one goal line all the way up to the other goal line.
Some teams and players are better at the offside trap than others.
Some central defenders take responsibility for keeping the back 4 aligned and pushing other defenders up the pitch to stop them playing too deep giving the opposition space to run into. I on the other hand prefer to give that responsibility to the two full backs who are better able to see along the line with one look. Clearly you need reliable full backs who keep the offside trap at the front of their minds while the game is progressing.
Key attributes to a good full back are:
Speed / Pace to catch up with attack and defensive play
Stamina to get up and down the pitch
Defending - if you like this position but can't defend then you're better placed further up the field!
Passing - killer through balls, long balls that switch the play and 1-2s
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