Week 33

Outcomes

• ✓Players can time an overlap run to stay onside and receive behind the defensive line.
• ✓Players can play a square pass and immediately sprint around the outside of their team-mate.
• ✓Players can deliver a cross or cut-back after completing an overlap.
• ✓Players can recognise when an overlap is available versus a give-and-go.

Equipment

• 14 cones
• 8 bibs
• 8 balls
• 2 full-size goals
• 2 keepers

Run of show

1. 1. Arrival Ball Mastery

   8m

   Set up: Each player with a ball in a 15×15 yd grid.

   How to run it: Players dribble freely. On 'Overlap!', every player must find a partner, play the ball to them, sprint past them on the outside, and receive the return. First pair to complete three overlaps wins the round.

   • ›Sprint route: around the outside, not through the middle.
   • ›Call 'Overlap!' to your partner as you begin your run.
   • ›Overlap player: keep your run wide to give a passing angle.

2. 2. Dynamic Warm-Up

   10m

   Set up: Wide channels on each side of the pitch. Pairs of players, one ball per pair.

   How to run it: Player A dribbles forward in the wide channel, Player B runs an overlap route to the outside. A plays the ball into the channel for B, who receives and delivers a cross into a central target cone. Rotate roles.

   • ›Ball-carrier: slow down slightly to draw the (imaginary) defender.
   • ›Overlapping runner: time your run so you receive with space ahead.
   • ›Cross: bend it toward the near post, not straight across.

3. 3. Technical Practice

   15m

   Set up: Wide channel 30×15 yd. One live defender, ball-carrier, and overlapping runner. Small goal at the end.

   How to run it: Ball-carrier tries to beat the defender using the overlapping runner as an option. The combination must be completed before shooting. Rotate all three roles every four reps.

   • ›Don't play the overlap too early — wait for the defender to commit.
   • ›Overlapping player: communicate with the ball-carrier throughout.
   • ›After receiving the overlap, look up — there may be a cutter in the box.

4. 4. Skill Game

   15m

   Set up: 4v4 on a 35×25 yd pitch with full goals and keepers. Two wide channels (5 yards each side) where only the overlapping player can receive the ball.

   How to run it: If the ball is played into the wide channel and the overlapping player receives it, the team earns a free cross with no pressure. This forces deliberate overlap use.

   • ›Trigger the overlap with a dribble into the wide channel.
   • ›Overlapping runner: time your entry to the channel — don't be early.
   • ›Crosser: deliver to the far post where the run arrives.

5. 5. Small-Sided Game

   17m

   Set up: 5v5 including keepers, 35×25 yd, full goals.

   How to run it: Standard match. Coach uses a live 'Overlap Count': every confirmed overlap (pass + sprint around + receive) earns a team token. Five tokens = bonus goal awarded. Tokens announced out loud.

   • ›Wide players: invite overlaps by showing the ball in the channel.
   • ›Central players: make underlapping runs to create space for the overlap.
   • ›Keeper: communicate defensive positions when overlaps occur.

6. 6. Cool-Down & Review

   5m

   Set up: Group seated near the touchline.

   How to run it: Static stretches: hip flexors and glutes (heavy use in sprint runs). Coach asks: 'When is an overlap more useful than a give-and-go?' Listen to two responses.

   • ›Overlap works best wide — give-and-go works best centrally.
   • ›Both are about using a team-mate to beat a defender — same idea, different space.

Outcomes

• ✓Players can deliver an accurate low cross after an overlap into the box.
• ✓Players can score from a cross delivered by an overlapping runner.
• ✓Players can make multiple box runs to be available for the cross.
• ✓Players can defend against the overlap without fouling.

Equipment

• 12 cones
• 8 bibs
• 8 balls
• 2 full-size goals
• 2 keepers

Run of show

1. 1. Arrival Ball Mastery

   8m

   Set up: Pairs on the wide channels, one ball.

   How to run it: A crosses low from near the byline; B controls and plays it back. Increase the distance of the cross each round. Then B attempts a first-time finish on the final cross each minute.

   • ›Cross low across the face of the goal — harder for keepers.
   • ›Strike through the inside of the ball to keep it low.
   • ›Finisher: attack the ball, don't wait for it.

2. 2. Dynamic Warm-Up

   10m

   Set up: Full-pitch attack setup: crosser wide, two central runners, keeper in goal.

   How to run it: Crosser delivers from the byline after a short dribble. Two central runners time their runs — near-post and far-post. Three rotations per group. Warm-up pace.

   • ›Crosser: check your head up before delivering — where are the runners?
   • ›Near-post runner: check your run and attack the space.
   • ›Far-post runner: arrive last and finish with authority.

3. 3. Technical Practice

   15m

   Set up: Full goal with keeper. Wide overlap drill: ball-carrier starts with the ball 25 yards from goal, wide. Overlapping runner starts behind. Live defender on the ball-carrier.

   How to run it: Ball-carrier engages defender, plays to overlapping runner who accelerates to the byline and crosses. Two central runners attack the box. Defender tracks and may intercept. Rotate all roles every five reps.

   • ›Overlap player: once you receive, drive hard — no hesitation.
   • ›Get to the byline before crossing — don't cross from deep.
   • ›Two central runners: far-post runner stays high until the cross is struck.

4. 4. Skill Game

   15m

   Set up: 3v2 attack (plus keeper). Attackers must use an overlap in the wide area before crossing. Defenders may intercept at any point.

   How to run it: Attackers earn points only from crosses that are delivered after a confirmed overlap. Defenders earn a point per turnover. Three rounds of three minutes.

   • ›Vary which side the overlap happens — keep the defence guessing.
   • ›Combination player: after playing the ball wide, move into the box.
   • ›Don't be predictable — sometimes the overlapper should dummy and the original player keeps it.

5. 5. Small-Sided Game

   17m

   Set up: 6v6 including keepers, 40×30 yd, full goals.

   How to run it: Free match. Goals from cross-and-finish plays count double. Coach identifies and announces cross-and-finish goals by name: 'Cross-and-finish goal — two points for the Maroons!'

   • ›Wide players: your primary job is to get to the byline.
   • ›Central players: read the play, time your runs, finish with conviction.
   • ›Goalkeeper: organise when the ball goes wide — get your defenders set.

6. 6. Cool-Down & Review

   5m

   Set up: Players in a line, light passing back and forth.

   How to run it: Easy passes and light stretch. Coach recaps the overlap chain: trigger → pass → sprint → receive → byline → cross → finish. Ask players to recite the chain together.

   • ›Every step in the chain matters.
   • ›The goal scorer gets the glory, but the overlapper made it happen.