Overlapping

This session is about creating crossing opportunities high up the pitch by manufacturing 2v1 overlaps and overloads. It’s important to practise this because moving the opposition back four with switches of play and timing of overlaps is a vital part of any offensive side’s armoury, whether or not the final attack goes out wide for a cross.

What do I get the players to do?

Pass and overlap drill

We begin in a 30x15-yard area, with two players at each end. A passes to B, who then drives diagonally into the area (1a). A overlaps and receives the ball, passing onwards to C (1b). Working players now vacate the area, and the link-up play is then  repeated as the move comes back in the other direction.

1a

1b

What are the key things to look out for?

We want to see good weight and accuracy of pass. Communication from A is so important in terms of when and to where the ball is released on the overlap.

At first, build slowly and use repetition so that the process becomes second nature. Then ask for players to quicken the pace when they feel more comfortable.

Game-related practice

The game is performed in an area comprised of two penalty boxes placed together, plus 5-yard zones on either side. It’s 8v8 in the main area, and there is a player from both teams on each flank (2a).

2a

On the flanks, the defending player cannot tackle, so when the ball is fed wide the attacker overlaps, receives the ball, and moves forward preparing to cross (2b). This player needs to recognise the ‘trigger’ to move, namely the infield wide man driving inside, as practised in ‘Pass and overlap drill’.

2b

How do I progress the session?

We now make the session opposed. So when the wide attacker takes his first touch, his opposing defender and any infield defender can engage, making a 2v1 (3a/3b). Can the winger find an attacker to restore the situation to a 2v2? Can he create a 2v1 attacking overload and make room for a precise cross into the box? Later, we might also remove the wide zones to make it as game realistic as possible.

3a

3b

What are the key things to look out for?

We’re looking for timing of runs, good communication between attackers, plus good passing weight and accuracy. It’s important that the overlapping player does not get ahead of the ball, so well-timed runs are vital.