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.
Starting at Core — your team is set to mixed.
20 min tonight · Fullback, 2 midfielders, 2 forwards, plus a keeper
- Ages 9+
- Fullback, 2 midfielders, 2 forwards, plus a keeper
- 20 min as the drill is written
- Balls, full-size goal
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.
- 1
Organize the players
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.
“You're my fullback — the ball starts with you. Everyone else, take your spots. Watch what the fullback does the second he passes.”
- 2
Show the jobs
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.
“Pass and go — around the outside! The ball finds you at the corner: one touch to prep it, then cross it for the forwards.”
- 3
Play
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.
“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.
- 4
Switch and repeat
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.
“Left side now — same pattern. Go!”
If the pattern keeps breaking down, adjust the spacing while they run it — the distances should fit your field size and your players' skill.
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Why it works
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 they learn
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.
Where does this come from?
SoccerXpert — their published drill library.
A published drill library. Useful and widely used, but not a governing body — so it fills gaps rather than leading.