Pass and Overlap Pattern to Cross
A passing pattern from midfield to the wing: pass in, lay-off to the wide player, overlap run and pass into the run, then a cutback for the striker to finish.
- Age
- U13–Senior
- Players
- 6–14
- Duration
- 15 min
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Intensity
- Medium
- Area
- 35 × 30 m
- Type
- Technical
- Approach
- Analytical
- Format
- Circuit
- Objectives
- Technical: Passing, Crossing
- Tactical: Combination play
- Concepts worked on
- Technical:Passing
- Tactical:One-twoSupport playWidth
Training diagram
Legend
- Attacker
- Goalkeeper
- Pass
- Run without ball
- Shot
- Ball
- Cone
- Goal
Patterns let players rehearse the timing of combinations without pressure. Here the key moment is the overlap: the midfielder passes wide and immediately runs around the outside, and the wide player waits for the overlapping run before releasing the ball. It ends with a finish so attackers stay focused.
Objective
Rehearse the timing of an overlap and the pass into the overlapping run.
Organisation
- Cones at the start (centre, 33 m from goal), central midfielder (22 m), wide player (26 m, near the side of the box) and a striker at the edge of the box. Goalkeeper in goal.
How it works
- 1 passes to 2, who sets the ball wide to 3 and overlaps.
- 3 passes into 2's run; 2 crosses or cuts back for the striker.
- Rotate positions: 1 → 2 → 3 → striker → 1. Run on both wings.
Coaching points
- Pass and go: overlap at full speed straight after the pass.
- Wide player: take a touch inside to draw the defender, then release the ball into the runner's path.
- Cutback low and behind the defensive line towards the penalty spot.
Progressions
- Add a defender on the wide player (2v1 on the wing).
- Two strikers attack near and far post.
Regressions
- Run it without the finish, back to the start.
Variations
- Underlap (run inside the wide player) instead of overlap.
Key principles
- Timing of the run decides the pattern.
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