TeloframeTeloframe
Features
For CoachesFor ClubsPricingLibraryDrills
Sign inStart free
Teloframe

The Coach OS for football. Plan, run, observe, reflect, develop, one loop, one tool.

Product
Tactics boardDrill editorSession plannerMatch dayPlayer developmentClub workspaceAI assistantExport and sharingAll features
Explore
Tactics librarySession plansDrill libraryFormationsGuidesVideo tutorials
Use cases
Coaches and academiesContent creatorsSession planner softwareTactics board software
Company
PricingFAQContactOpen Teloframe
© 2026 Teloframe. Built for serious staff.PrivacyTermsSafeguardingSecurityDPASubprocessorsCookies All systems normal
TeloframeTeloframe
Features
For CoachesFor ClubsPricingLibraryDrills
Sign inStart free
/
/
/
Teloframe

The Coach OS for football. Plan, run, observe, reflect, develop, one loop, one tool.

Product
Tactics boardDrill editorSession plannerMatch dayPlayer developmentClub workspaceAI assistantExport and sharingAll features
Explore
Tactics librarySession plansDrill libraryFormationsGuidesVideo tutorials
Use cases
Coaches and academiesContent creatorsSession planner softwareTactics board software
Company
PricingFAQContactOpen Teloframe
© 2026 Teloframe. Built for serious staff.PrivacyTermsSafeguardingSecurityDPASubprocessorsCookies All systems normal
TeloframeTeloframe
Features
For CoachesFor ClubsPricingLibraryDrills
Sign inStart free
Home/Training Drills/Crossing Drills/Overlap and Cutback
CrossingIntermediate

Overlap and Cutback

Create and finish from an overlap and cutback. Overlap on the outside, take the slip pass to the byline, pull it back low to the edge of the box, and finish first time.

Create your own drill
Live animationCRO
Duration
12 min
Total drill time
Players
4
Recommended
Pitch
48 × 36 m
Setup space
Level
Intermediate
Skill required
Intensity
High
Physical demand
Age band
U9-U10
Any format

Setup & instructions

The full-back overlaps on the outside, takes the winger's slip pass, drives to the byline, and pulls the ball back low across the top of the six-yard box to a runner arriving at the edge, who finishes first time. Emphasise the timing of the overlap, getting to the byline, and the low pull-back into the pocket. Rotate the roles.

Setup time: 1 min

Tactical breakdown

From the same position on the byline a player has two deliveries available, and they are not equally good. A cross into the air asks an attacker to beat a defender and a keeper in a contest where both are taller and better placed. A cutback asks him only to arrive and make contact, against defenders who are all facing their own goal and running backwards.

The difference is orientation, not technique. Once the ball goes behind the defensive line, every defender and the keeper are looking at their own net. A ball pulled back against that momentum arrives to attackers who are the only people on the pitch moving forwards, and they are unmarked because tracking a runner while retreating and watching the ball is close to impossible.

Which is why the extra two yards to the byline matter so much. Cutting back from level with the penalty spot lets defenders see the ball and the runner at the same time, and the whole advantage disappears. The overlap exists to buy those yards.

The delivery has to be firm and along the ground into the space between the penalty spot and the edge of the box. Floated, it gives the recovering defence time to turn, which is the one thing the position was designed to prevent.

Runners have to be told to hold. The instinct is to sprint to the six-yard box, which is exactly where the defenders already are. The chance is at the edge, arriving late, and it feels wrong to a striker until he has scored two from there.

How to run this drill

  1. Use the overlap to reach the byline. The extra two yards are the entire purpose. Cutting back from level with the spot lets defenders watch the ball and the runner at once.
  2. Get the ball behind the defensive line. Once it is behind them, every defender and the keeper are facing their own goal. That orientation is what makes the cutback so hard to defend.
  3. Pull it back firm and along the ground. A floated cutback gives the recovering defence time to turn, which is precisely what reaching the byline was meant to prevent.
  4. Target the space at the edge of the box. Between the penalty spot and the D, not the six-yard box. The six-yard box is where the defenders already are.
  5. Hold the runners back. The instinct is to sprint towards goal. The chance is arriving late at the edge, and it feels wrong to a striker until he has scored two from there.
  6. Finish first time and low. The ball already has pace and the keeper is moving across. A side-foot placement into the far corner is the percentage finish from that zone.

Coaching focus

FROM SESSION PLAN

Coaching points

  • Time the overlap to stay onside and get outside
  • Slip pass down the line into the run
  • Get to the byline before you pull it back
  • Cutback low across the top of the six-yard box
  • Runner attacks the edge and finishes first time

Common mistakes

  • Overlap mistimed, offside or too early
  • Crossing from deep instead of getting to the byline
  • Cutback too strong or behind the runner
  • Runner arriving too early into the pocket

Progressions & regressions

VARIATIONS

Progressions

  • Add defenders to track the overlap and the runner
  • Vary the cutback to the near post or the spot
  • Combine with an underlap option

Regressions

  • Walk the overlap and the cutback unopposed
  • Set the runner's timing to start
  • Slower build to groove the pattern
Equipment
Cones×1
Full Goals×1
Tactical principles
overlap and cutbackcutbackpull back from the bylineoverlapping full backcrossing drillwing play drillgolden zonecrossing and finishingedge of the box finishu10 crossing drill
Audience
U9-U10

Make it yours

Save this drill to your private library, then tweak the animation, swap equipment, or drop it into a session.

Explore more drills

LIBRARY
All Crossing drillsAll drill collectionsCrossing for U9-U10

Ready to run this drill?

Save it to your private drills, then change the animation, adjust positions, swap equipment, or drop it into a session block. Or start from a blank pitch and build your own.

Library Create your own drill
Teloframe

The Coach OS for football. Plan, run, observe, reflect, develop, one loop, one tool.

Product
Tactics boardDrill editorSession plannerMatch dayPlayer developmentClub workspaceAI assistantExport and sharingAll features
Explore
Tactics librarySession plansDrill libraryFormationsGuidesVideo tutorials
Use cases
Coaches and academiesContent creatorsSession planner softwareTactics board software
Company
PricingFAQContactOpen Teloframe
© 2026 Teloframe. Built for serious staff.PrivacyTermsSafeguardingSecurityDPASubprocessorsCookies All systems normal