Overlap refers to the movement between teammates based on how the defender positions themselves. If an attacking player that has the ball in play gets shadowed by a defender, the teammate of the attacking player will run past both players in an attempt to receive the ball. It will force the defender to either continue shadowing the first player or prevent the teammate from player one to receive the ball.
How Overlap Works?
To ensure that overlap works perfectly, players need to practice this drill continuously until they get used to how the system works. This technique utilizes the left and right back players as well as the midfielders to work well together. These two positions support each other by performing overlap runs either towards the left or right back in an attempt to catch the passed ball.
Left Back Overlaps
This technique makes use of the position of the left-back and left midfielders. This two-position support each other, particularly when the left-back player finds the opportunity to make a run. Once the left-back player passes the ball towards the left midfielder, the left-back player will begin an overlapping run. The left midfielder will turn inside and attempt to pass the mall. The left-back player makes sure that he meets the pass and immediately aim towards the penalty sports area where he will be met with the center midfielder and the right midfielder. The role of the center midfielder is to support the left-back player into receiving the ball if he is blocked from crossing towards the midfielder.
Importance of Overlap
The objective of overlap is for the player to run into an open space to receive the ball. It should be in an advanced position so that the player will not have any difficulties in receiving the ball. This technique helps in pulling a defensive player away from the attacking player who has the ball. If the defensive player sees that there is another attacking player that attempts to receive the ball, the defensive player will be faced in a dilemma whether he should continue to shadow the attacking player or prevent the other teammate from receiving the ball. If the defensive player chooses to shadow the attacking player and the ball is passed to its teammate, then he losses the opportunity to take control of the ball.
