Overlap & Cross to Finish

A wide-attack pattern. The full back plays into the winger and overlaps around the outside, gets the ball back on the run and whips a cross to the back post, where the striker attacks it first time. Runs on both flanks at once.

Setup:

• A full back with balls near halfway, a winger near the touchline and a striker at the top of the box.

• A centre back defending the box and a goalkeeper in each goal.

Execution:

• The full back plays into the winger's feet and immediately overlaps around the outside.

• The winger carries inside to drag the defence, then slips the ball down the line into the full back's path.

• The full back drives to the byline and crosses toward the back post.

• The striker holds, then times a curved run to meet the cross and finish first time while the centre back defends the near post.

Coaching points:

• Overlap at full speed and stay wide.

• Winger: carry inside to commit the defence before you release.

• Striker: arrive as the ball arrives. Don't stand waiting at the post.

• Cross early and with pace into the space between the keeper and the defender.

Progressions:

• Make the centre back fully live and add a second striker for near-post and far-post runs.

• Give the winger the choice: release the overlap, cut inside or go 1v1.

• Rotate roles every 5 reps.