The following activities / session aim to develop an understanding of the basic movements required to create overlapping situations. The session begins with unopposed passing activities to create situations where players practice the angles, distances and body positions required to create the overlapping scenario. The next activity introduces a Defender (semi-passive initially depending on level + ability of team) – the introduction of a direct opponent forces the players to develop an understanding of the timing / moment to deliver the final pass to the overlapping player.

These activities introduce the basics of the overlap – the real understanding must then be developed in game situations and in realistic areas of the pitch; the session ends with a 10v10 game.

1.

Setup:

Squad is split into groups of 6. Cones and sticks placed as shown.

Instructions:

PASSING SEQUENCE – EMPHASIS ON OVERLAPPING:

Player (A) pass to (B) – (B) must check off in a half-turned position and receive with a positive first touch: Player (B) must drive inside the stick to create a channel for (A) to overlap. Player (A) receives the return pass from (B) before passing to (C) to repeat the sequence.

Time: 2x3min Rest 1min

Coaching Points:

• Understand the basic movement of the Overlap in unopposed warmup
• Moment / Timing to support
• Direction / Angles of support. Quality of passing
• Communication – when to release ball to overlapping player

2.

Setup:

Squad is split into groups of 6. Cones and sticks placed as shown.

Instructions:

PASSING SEQUENCE – EMPHASIS ON OVERLAPPING + THIRD-MAN PASS:

Player (A) pass to (B) – (B) must check off in a half-turned position. Player (B) passes to supporting (D) and continues to move inside the stick to create a channel for (A) to overlap. Player (A) receives the pass from (D) before passing to (C): Player (D) immediately checks outside the cone to receive the pass from (C) – (D) now drives inside to create overlapping channel for (C)

Time: 1x3min Rest 1min

Coaching Points:

• Understand the basic movements required to create the Overlap – utilising a third player
• Moment / Timing to support from third-man (D)
• Direction / Angles of support. Quality of passing
• Communication – when to release ball to overlapping player

3.

Setup:

Squad split into groups of 6 players. Cones are approximately 30m apart – Defender (Red) positioned at the midpoint.

Instructions:

DEVELOPING UNDERSTANDING OF ONE-TWO PASS + THIRD-MAN SUPPORT:

Option 1:

Player (A) pass to (S) checking off the cone – (S) now drives towards Defender and passes to overlapping (A): (A) pass to (B) to repeat in opposite direction.  Change both (S) players + Defender after 6 repetitions

Option 1: 1x3min

Option 2: THIRD-MAN SUPPORT

Player (A) pass to (S): (S) drives inside towards Defender and passes to opposite (S) checking to support: (S) now passes to overlapping (A).

Option 2: 1x3min

Coaching Points:

• Understanding of basic movements required to create the Overlap
• Moment: Correct timing from (S2) to support / Correct timing of overlapping player
• Direction: Angle of support from (S2)
• Speed: Change of tempo / rhythm for all players

4.

Setup:

Two teams of 10 (9 + GK) organised in their positions.

Instructions:

TACTICAL GAME – EMPHASIS ON OVERLAPPING COMBINATIONS IN WIDE AREAS:

Teams compete and attempt to score in their opponents goal – free play. If a goal is scored after an overlapping sequence = 2 goals.

2x10min

Coaching Points:

• Attempt to isolate opponent Fullback to create 2v1 situations in wide areas
• Encourage overlapping in realistic areas of pitch
• Maintain a high rhythm and tempo
• Counter-Pressing on any loss of possession