Overlapping runs destroy defensive cover By Tony Carr

Overlapping runs destroy defensive cover

By Tony Carr

For overlapping runs your attackers need to be fit - it's all about passing then accelerating past the player you have passed to.

Players should be passing firmly to feet, following the pass then overlapping on the outside. Make sure your players are calling names so the receiver knows which side the passer has run around.

This session is a good physical work out as well as a good skills work out. The players are passing, running and playing one-twos.

Overlaps are often accompanied in matches by a cross into the box so you could incorporate this at the end of the session.

How to play it

Stage 1: Inside a 20 x 20 grid, the practice begins with player 1 passing the ball towards the player on the first cone. Player 2 now runs inside the cone as player 1 runs around the outside of the cone. When both players have passed the cone they play a 1-2 and on the return pass player 2 passes to player 3 and the sequence starts again.

Stage 2: Other players can rotate in during the sequence. The sequence should be repeated in both directions. The ball is always played on the ground.