What is an overlap in soccer?
An overlap in soccer is a run by a teammate around the outside of the player who has the ball. It makes two attackers against one defender on the side of the field, so the defender has to choose which one to stop.
Other names: overlapping run.
Soccer is called football in most of the world. This guide is part of Futbol Island’s free football lessons for kids aged 7 to 12.
Overlap: diagram
How to make an overlap
- The player with the ball slows down and moves a little inside, toward the defender.
- The teammate behind runs around the outside at speed and calls for the ball.
- If the defender stays with the ball, pass outside to the runner.
- If the defender follows the runner, keep the ball and go inside.
Common mistakes
- Running outside when nobody covers the space you left. Check who stays back first.
- The player with the ball staying on the touchline, which leaves no room to run around.
- Passing too late, when the runner is already past the second-last defender and offside.
In 7v7, 9v9, 11v11 and futsal
In 7v7 an outside back can overlap when there are no wide midfielders. In 9v9 and 11v11 it is usually a fullback going around a winger. A run on the inside of the teammate is called an underlap.
Questions about the overlap
What is the difference between an overlap and an underlap?
An overlap goes around the outside of the teammate with the ball. An underlap goes on the inside, between that teammate and the middle of the field.
Who makes overlapping runs?
Most often a fullback or wing-back running around a winger. A midfielder can do it too.
Is an overlap risky?
It leaves a space behind the runner. Good teams have a midfielder or the other fullback ready to cover it.
Lessons that teach it
- Three Backs: Make the Outside Route (7v7 lesson)Without wide midfielders, an outside back can create width, then return inside when the forward route closes.
- 3-2-3: Back Three, Fourth Runner (9v9 lesson)A wide forward recovers with an advancing outside back when three defenders already have three forwards.
- 4-3-3: Fullback Inside or Outside? (11v11 lesson)Fill the lane nobody holds: with the winger wide, the fullback moves inside; with the winger inside, the fullback goes wide.
Related soccer terms
- 2v1Two attackers against one defender. The player with the ball dribbles at the defender, then passes if the defender comes or keeps going if they do not.
- CrossA pass from a wide area into the space in front of the goal.
- Give-and-GoPass to a teammate, run past your defender and get the ball straight back. Also called a one-two or a wall pass.
- CutbackA pass from near the goal line back toward a teammate arriving in front of goal.
- All soccer terms, A to Z92 soccer words in plain English, from advantage to yellow card, 18 with a diagram
- Soccer rules for kids16 rules explained for kids, each with a diagram: offside, handball, throw-ins and more
Futbol Island is a free football (soccer) learning game for kids aged 7 to 12. Every idea on this page is taught on a pitch with moving players, then checked with a quick quiz.