Passing
Overlap Run Passing Drill: Mannequin Diamond, Both Ends
Time an overlap run off a combination and weight the pass into it, onto the runner's stride; around it, check away and back to receive, set first time, spin off a mannequin and play first-time passes at angles.
Duration
15 min
Total drill time
Players
10
Recommended
Pitch
Full Pitch
Setup space
Level
Intermediate
Skill required
Intensity
Medium
Physical demand
Age band
U11-U12
Any format
Setup & instructions
Set four mannequins in a diamond: the two side mannequins 18 metres apart, the two end mannequins 9 metres apart. Put a cone about 9 metres beyond each end mannequin with a line of two players behind it, the front player with a ball. Put a wide cone 5 metres outside each side mannequin and 5 metres back towards its end, with one player behind it, and one player at each mannequin. At each end, the starter takes a touch beside the cone and plays up to the player at the near mannequin, who checks off it to receive and sets it back first time into the starter's run. The starter plays first time out to the player at the side mannequin, who has gone away and checked back below it. Meanwhile the near player spins round the back of the mannequin and gets the ball back on the inside from the side player, first time. The near player plays first time into the overlap run, made from the wide cone up the outside of the side player as the starter's pass goes out. The overlapping player plays first time across to the player behind the cone at the other end, who starts the pattern there. Both ends run at once. Rotate: line to near mannequin, near mannequin to side mannequin, side mannequin to the wide cone, wide cone to the other end's line.
Setup time: 5 min
Tactical breakdown
An overlap is a run round the outside of a teammate who has the ball or is about to get it. It works because the defender has to choose: stay with the player in front and the runner goes free, or step across to the runner and the player in front has time. The run only works if it is timed, and the pass only works if it arrives in the runner's stride.
This drill builds a combination for the overlap to come off. The starter plays up to the player at the near mannequin and gets it back, then plays out to the side player, who has gone away and checked back to receive. The near player spins round the back of the mannequin and gets it back on the inside. That is the moment for the pass into the overlap: the runner has left the wide cone as the ball went out to the side, gone up the outside of the side player, and arrives as the near player plays it.
The two coaching points are the timing and the weight. Leave the cone when the ball comes inside and the runner is too late; leave on the first pass and they arrive too soon and have to wait. The pass into the run goes ahead of the runner, not to feet, so they take it forward without breaking stride.
The overlapping player then plays across to the line at the other end, which starts the same pattern there. Both ends run at once with two balls that swap ends every rep, so ten players stay busy, and the rotation sends everyone through every role: starter, near player, side player and overlapping runner.
How to run this drill
- Set the diamond. Four mannequins in a diamond, the side mannequins 18 m apart and the end mannequins 9 m apart. A cone 9 m beyond each end mannequin with a line of two behind it, a wide cone 5 m outside each side mannequin and 5 m back towards its end, and one player at each mannequin and each wide cone.
- Up and set back. The starter plays up to the player checking off the near mannequin, who sets it back first time into the starter's run.
- Out to the side. The starter plays first time out to the side player, who has gone away and checked back on the near side of the side mannequin.
- Inside to the spin. The near player spins round the back of the mannequin and the side player plays it inside to them first time.
- Into the overlap. The wide player has left the cone as the ball went out to the side. The near player plays first time into the overlap run, ahead of the runner.
- Across and rotate. The overlapping player plays first time across to the line at the other end, which starts the pattern there. Line to near mannequin, near to side, side to the wide cone, wide cone to the other end's line.
Coaching focus
FROM SESSION PLANCoaching points
- Overlapping player: leave the cone as the pass goes out to the side player, not when the ball comes inside
- Overlapping player: run up the outside of the side player and take the pass in your stride, facing forward
- Near player: weight the pass into the overlap ahead of the runner, so the run never has to slow
- Near player: check off the mannequin to meet the first pass and set it first time into the starter's run
- Near player: spin round the back of the mannequin straight after the set, ready to receive on the inside
- Side player: go away and check back so you arrive as the ball does, body open to play inside
- Starter: run onto the set and play out to the side first time, firm and flat
Common mistakes
- The overlapping player leaving too late and chasing the pass, or too early and waiting for it
- The pass into the overlap played to feet instead of ahead of the run
- The near player watching the set instead of spinning straight away
- The side player standing still beside the mannequin instead of checking away and back
- A soft pass out to the side that makes the side player take a touch
- The pass across to the other end too slow, so the next rep starts late
Progressions & regressions
VARIATIONSProgressions
- Every pass first time, including the starter's first pass
- A passive defender on the side player, so the overlap has someone to go round
- Finish it: the overlapping player crosses or shoots into a goal at the end instead of passing across
- Switch sides: the side player and wide cone move to the other side of the diamond
Regressions
- Allow two touches everywhere
- Shrink the diamond so every pass is shorter
- Run one end at a time
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