Overlaps: Where and Why?
In the modern game Full Backs are becoming more and more of an attacking threat. Players like Johnson, Alves, Alba and Cole are selected for what they can do offensively rather than helping their centre backs and goalkeepers keep a clean sheet. In my memory the first attacking full backs were Roberto Carlos and Cafu, who continued Brazil's history of footballers who can defend, rather than just a "defender".Many of the BEST modern Full Backs started their career as wingers. This for me highlights the importance of players understanding a range of positions and not being pigeon holed to early in their career.
Attacking fullbacks have become more common in European football with many teams playing 4-3-3 or a variation of this. This has led to centre backs "splittting" in possession, a holding or pivot play "sitting in midfield" and full backs pushed on, almost like a secondary winger.
In a 4-3-3 the central striker can at times be isolated and needs support from the wide players. This support leaves space in wide areas, in and around the opposition full backs. In this formation teams will have 3 players in central areas, looking to dominate possession, players like Xavi, Busquets and Iniesta will be given options wide by their attacking Full Backs.
It is vital that teams maintain the width when attacking, to stretch the opposition and create pockets of space for the forward players. This then leaves the opposition guessing, will the pass go into the attacking player (CF or Winger) or will it be played into the path of a supporting Full Back?
Here is a good example by Spain's Jordi Alba, who plays into midfield and continues his run into the final third.
Practice One: Unopposed
In this practice players perform an overlap before crossing for the centre forward. This simple routine is great for strikers, who must "SET" into midfield, and offers full back continuous repetition of passing in and offer a supporting run. This is a common pattern in a 4-3-3 formation.
1. Centre Forward starts the practice by triggering the play with his movement off the Orange cone. Full Back plays into feet and continues on his overlapping run.
2. Midfielder supports the play and arrives on to the "SET" from the Centre Forward.
3. Midfielder plays the ball into the Full Backs path - NOT TO FEET!
Full back delivers and Centre Forward applies the finish. Players practice both sides and in all 3 roles.
It is important to explain to Full Backs when they should support. This picture lacks realism as it assumes the CF and CM keep possession. You don't want your Full Back steaming on, if the opposition defender steals the ball of your strikers toe! The SSG will give opportunities for you to explain when, this is more the how.
Overlaps in a Small Sided Game
In this game two neutral players play in wide zones. These players play unopposed in these areas but on 3 touches. The attacking team must play into this neutral player and offer a overlapping run.
The overlapping player can now score or offer an assist for a team-mate.
This is a great game for players recognised when to support. In the diagram above the player has made a run from team mates pass. This is a great habit as it involves 3 players and is more difficult to defend than 2 players forming a overlap in 1-2 situation.
In this game there will be times when the supporting player can under-lap. This is a supporting run but inside. I tend to explain this in a SSG, as essentially the thought of supporting is more important than players remembering the term!