Overlapping Full Backs Creating Crossing Opportunities

By: Ritchie Semple

Provided by: Amplified Soccer

The following training session is from Ritchie Semple. Ritchie is the Director of Football for LGC Events and has been coaching soccer for 18 years with 13 years of experience at delivering soccer education programs.

LGC Events organizes 'Total Football Experience' tours to the Pinatar Arena in San Pedro del Pinatar in Murcia, Spain. LGC Football and the Pinatar Arena welcome teams of all ages and abilities to experience professional standard facilities, the warm weather and a superb choice of accommodations to suit all. Find out more at www.totalfootballexperience.com.

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The following activities teach the basics and importance of the "Overlap" Overlapping runs can help unbalance a defense to create opportunities to attack in advanced areas of the pitch. The Timing of the run is essential to avoid offside and to create a goal scoring opportunity from the cross.

ACTIVITY #1: WARM UP

Set Up:

As shown on the diagram below, an area is created approx 30 X 30. To start place for midfield players on center cones (Red players 1 - 4). Split other players in to two groups and place them at opposite ends of the marked area (Yellow players 1 - 6).

Explanation:

Yellow 1 passes the ball to Red 1, Yellow 1 continues run and overlaps behind Red 1. Red 1 receives ball and passes to Red 2 who passes to overlapping Yellow 1. Red 1 passes to Yellow 4 who continues practice. Red 1 joins the end of the other group. Run practice for 5 minutes then rotate middle players. Stretch / drink in between rotations

Coaching Points:

• Timing of run
• Communication
• High tempo
• Full back to time run, not to pass Red 1 until Red 2 has passed (offside)

Progressions:

• Add another ball
• Yellow players to change sides to play clockwise
• Two touch
• One touch

ACTIVITY #2

Set Up:

Half pitch practice - Yellow players split in to 2 groups and start either side of half way line. 6 Red players (4 midfield, 2 forwards) line up as shown in diagram.

Explanation:

Yellow 2 passes the ball to Red 4, Yellow 2 continues run and overlaps behind Red 4. Red 4 receives ball and passes to Red 3 who passes to overlapping Yellow 2.
As Red 3 plays ball to Yellow 2, Red 5 and 6 (forwards) and one midfielder from opposite side (either Red 1 or 2) make runs in to the box to meet cross from Yellow 2.
As players jog back in to starting position play is repeated down opposite side.

Coaching Points:

• Timing of run
• Communication
• High tempo
• Quality of cross
• Full back to time run, not to pass cone until Red 3 has passed (offside)

Progressions:

• Two touch
• One touch

ACTIVITY #3:

Set Up:

Same as Activity 2 with the addition of defenders at regular intervals

Progressions:

• Add 2 Center backs
• Then add 1 defensive midfielder
• The add 2 full backs

Additional Progressions:

• If defender win ball, play wide and pass to groups on half way line
• Build practice to an 11 V 11 with the session outcome OVERLAPPING FULL BACKS CREATING CROSSING OPPORTUNITIES applying to both teams.