Soccer
Wide Play
Overlap and Underlap Pattern
Soccer drill for wide play training sessions
Wide players coordinate overlap and underlap runs to create crossing and cutback chances.
What This Drill Improves
This soccer drill is best for intermediate players who need focused work on wide play. It works well with 10 players and can be adjusted by changing the space, pressure, or scoring rules.
Setup
Set a wide channel with a winger, fullback, central midfielder, and two attackers in the box.
Instructions
- Midfielder plays to winger.
- Fullback calls overlap or underlap and makes the run.
- Winger releases the runner or drives inside.
- Final pass is a cross or cutback for attackers to finish.
Coaching Points
✓ Runner must communicate early.
✓ Ball carrier should delay just enough to release the run.
✓ Attackers time near-post and penalty-spot runs.
Common Mistakes to Watch For
- Players losing focus on the main coaching point.
- The drill area being too large or too small for the group.
- Progressing the drill before the basic pattern is clean.
Progressions: Make It Harder
→ Add a defender in the wide channel.
→ Limit the final pass to one touch.
→ Run both overlap and underlap before finishing.
Regressions: Make It Easier
Start without defenders, then add pressure once the movement pattern is clear.
Allow extra touches until players understand the timing.
Want to add drills directly to a session plan?
View Premium