Match moments / They have the ball
An overlap against you
Their winger has the ball on our side and their full-back is sprinting round the outside. If our winger tracks the runner and our full-back stays with the ball, nobody is free.
In the match
- Decision 1Winger
- Decision 2Full-back
- Decision 3Holding mid
You are 7, our right winger.
Their full-back is running past you to overlap. What do you do?
Play the build-up, then choose.
Best choice
The runner is your player. Staying on their inside keeps you between them and our goal, so 2 can deal with the ball.
It can work
The shout helps, but now 2 has two players to deal with.
Costly
Their runner is free. Two against one on our full-back is exactly what the overlap is for.
In the match, play carries on from the best choice.
You are 2, our right full-back.
Their winger has the ball in front of you. What do you do?
Play what happened next, then choose.
Best choice
7 has the runner, so your job is the ball. Standing slightly outside pushes the winger inside, where 6 is waiting to help.
It can work
It buys time, but the winger walks forward with the ball and can choose.
Costly
7 already has the runner. Now the winger is free to cut inside and shoot.
In the match, play carries on from the best choice.
You are 6, our holding midfielder.
The winger comes inside towards you. What do you do?
Play what happened next, then choose.
Best choice
The winger has come into the trap. You in front and 2 behind make two against one, and you win it.
It can work
Safe, but the winger has time to pick a pass or shoot.
Costly
5 has the striker. Leaving the space means the trap has nobody in it.
How you know it is happening
- Their wide player has the ball near the touchline.
- Their full-back sprints past our winger.
- Our full-back is facing two of them.
Why it works
An overlap makes two against one on the wing. The answer is to keep it one against one: the winger tracks the runner, the full-back stays with the ball and pushes it inside, and the midfielder closes the trap.
The tactics behind it
Your job, by position
- WWinger and wide midfielder
- If their full-back runs, go with them, on the inside.
- Track all the way back. Do not hand over the runner.
- FBFull-back and wing-back
- Stay with the ball, not the runner.
- Show the winger inside, towards our midfield.
- DMHolding midfielder
- Be ready to step across when the winger comes inside.
How to explain it
- Name it: "runner" means the winger tracks, "ball" means the full-back stays.
- Walk through who takes whom before the session.
On the training pitch
- On your ownTurn and recoverThe technique underneath it, with a ball and some space.
- The practice2v2: pressure and coverThe same decision, over and over, with a little pressure.
- The gameFour-goal gameA small-sided game set up so the moment keeps happening.
Set the game up so it keeps happening
- Wide attackers score double after an overlap.
- Defenders win a point every time the overlap is tracked.
Three things to say
- Winger takes the runner.
- Full-back takes the ball.
- Show inside, then trap.
On Saturday
Tick them off on the day. Nothing is saved: print the page if you want to keep it.
After the whistle
Ask yourself
- Did anyone run past you unmarked?
What to look back on
- Which side did their overlaps come from, and why?