Soccer Attacking Drill
Overlap Run
Pass to the winger and run around the outside. The winger draws the defender in, passes into the runner's path, and the runner crosses low.
Step 1 of 9
1 starts with the ball, 2 is the winger, 3 is the striker. D guards the wing.
- Time
- 15 min
- Players
- 4–8
- Ages
- 9–16U10–U17
- Pace
- Medium
Works on
- Passing
- Shooting
- Stamina
Set up
- Use half a field with a goal and a keeper.
- Put a cone at each starting spot: the start (with the balls), the winger near the sideline, and the striker in the middle.
- One defender stands 10 to 15 yards in front of the winger.
- Make a short line at each spot. With 12 or more players, run it on both wings and take turns.
- Space
- Half field, one wing and the box
- You need
- 1 goal · 8 to 10 balls · 3 cones for the starting spots · 1 pinnie for the defender
How to play
- The player at the start passes to the winger, then sprints around the outside of them.
- The winger dribbles inside at the defender to pull them in.
- When the defender steps in, the winger passes forward along the sideline into the runner's path.
- The runner dribbles toward the end line and crosses low. The striker runs in to finish.
- Rotate: passer to winger, winger to striker, striker back to the start for a new ball.
- Swap the defender every few turns. Start with a defender who only walks, then let them play for real.
Coaching points
- Pass and go: the run starts the moment the ball leaves your foot.
- Runner: stay wide and shout Over! so the winger knows you are there.
- Winger: dribble at the defender's inside shoulder (the side nearer the middle), then let the ball go early.
- Pass into the space in front of the runner, not to their feet.
- Cross low and hard. The striker arrives late and fast, not early.
Easier
Leave the defender out at first, or let them only walk and block, so kids can learn the run and the timing.
Harder
Let the defender play for real from the start and add a second defender who marks the striker. Keep score for each group.
Run it at your next practice
With a free account, put Overlap Run in a practice plan with its minutes and water breaks. At the field the clock moves on to the next drill by itself.