Flankers are individuals who are positioned on a side or wing, usually in the context of a military unit or a sports team. Synonyms for this word include: wingmen, sideline players, outsides, wingers, and sidekicks. These terms are all relevant to the role of flankers as supporting players who work on the periphery of a group to provide backup or to take advantage of opportunities that arise. In some contexts, flankers may also be referred to as "flank players," "flank forwards," or "flank defenders," depending on their position in a team or their role in a specific strategy. Regardless of the terminology used, flankers play an important role in many different types of activities, from battles to soccer matches.