The Defensive Overlap

The fullback starts the play, sprints around the outside midfielder on the overlap, meets the long ball near the corner, and crosses for two forwards at the face of the goal.

This is the starting point for teaching defensive overlaps — fullbacks learn to join the attack, and everyone learns the timing of the runs that make it work.

Ages 9+Fullback, 2 midfielders, 2 forwards, plus a keeper20 minBalls, full-size goal

Set up · 3 actions · before the kids arrive

Grab: Plenty of balls and your full-size goal.
Build: Use half of the field with the full-size goal — and set the spacing so the drill flows for your field size and your players' skill.
Place: A keeper in the goal; the fullback, outside midfielder, central midfielder, and two forwards take their spots as the diagram shows, with the ball at the fullback's feet.

Show me the setup picture

Half a field with a keeper in the full-size goal and five players staged up the right side — fullback with the ball, two midfielders, two forwards — as the diagram places them.

One thing to remember: Overlapping runs by the fullbacks and getting defenders into the attack — moving quickly into the attacking half, timing of runs, and precise one- and two-touch passing.

How it runs — the whole game in one sentence

The fullback passes up the line and overlaps; the ball works through the checking forward and center midfielder, then flies toward the corner flag onto the fullback's run for the cross.

1Organize the players▾
Coach does
Put the keeper in the goal and assign the right fullback (1), right outside midfielder (2), center midfielder (3), and two forwards (4 and 5) to their diagram spots. The ball starts with the fullback.
Coach says
You're my fullback — the ball starts with you. Everyone else, take your spots. Watch what the fullback does the second he passes.
2Show the jobs▾
Coach does
Walk the pattern — the fullback (1) passes to the right midfielder (2) and makes an overlapping run around him. The midfielder (2) passes to the checking forward (4), who drops it to the center midfielder (3). The center midfielder plays a ball toward the right corner flag onto the fullback's run — and the fullback preps the ball and crosses to the two forwards (4 and 5), who have advanced toward the face of the goal.
Coach says
Pass and go — around the outside! The ball finds you at the corner: one touch to prep it, then cross it for the forwards.
3Play▾
Coach does
Run the pattern over and over and coach the flow — get into the attacking half of the field quickly, time the runs well, and keep the passes precise, played in one and two touches.
Coach says
Time your run — don't beat the ball there! One touch, two touch — keep it crisp!
Look for: The timing of the runs — the overlapping fullback and the long ball arriving at the corner together.
4Switch and repeat▾
Coach does
Continue on both sides of the field. For later rounds, add players to run the same pattern on the left side, or add passive defenders to simulate pressure on the attackers.
Coach says
Left side now — same pattern. Go!

If it's not working

If the pattern keeps breaking down, adjust the spacing while they run it — the distances should fit your field size and your players' skill.

Want to go deeper? Optional — not needed to run the game.

Why are we doing this?

The pattern gets defenders into the attack — the fullback experiences starting the play, overlapping the midfielder, and arriving on the long ball to deliver the cross, all in one repeatable sequence.

What are they learning?

Overlapping runs by the fullbacks and getting defenders into the attack — moving quickly into the attacking half, timing of runs, and precise one- and two-touch passing.

How can I change it?

Harder: Add passive defenders to simulate pressure on the attackers.