Annual training plan · U9–U13

Week 15: Overlaps & One-Twos

3 complete training sessions with 12 drills – created by licensed coaches. Open every drill in the easy2coach web app with one click.

This week’s focus

This week, players will learn 2 forms of combination play – the overlap and the one-two.

The overlap is an effective group tactical tool for playing out a 2 vs 1 situation. But only if the following points are observed:

  • Overlap at top speed and close behind the team-mate
  • Dribble straight at the opponent and tie him up sufficiently
  • The pass is played when the two players are almost level

The overlap can also be used very well to run past the opponent yourself. Especially when the defender drops far out and back because he is expecting the pass to the overlapping player.

The one-two can be used in many match situations. For example, when the striker acts as a wall player, on the wing in combination with a central midfielder, or to play in behind the defence. The one-two is often a good option when the defender attacks the ball very aggressively and does not try to match the speed of the player on the ball.

To use the one-two to your team's advantage, the following instructions help:

  • Play the first pass firmly into the feet of the team-mate
  • Make an explosive change of pace as you release the pass
  • Tie up the opponent sufficiently

Author Luis Österlein

Session 1

4 drills

The training begins with a tag game. The exercise is ideal for making clear to your players how important it is to feint with the whole body. Tag games are ideal for working with body feints to escape the catcher.

After that, the training is devoted entirely to overlapping runs. It starts with a passing drill around a passive defender. Demand from the outset that the overlap is made at high speed, that the defender is dribbled straight at and that the overlapping player is played in at the right moment.

After that, 2 exercises are carried out in a 3 vs 2, on the wing and in the centre. Make sure that the overload is exploited cleverly and that the players get to a finish purposefully. However, do not fixate exclusively on the overlapping run as the solution, but give your players the chance to find their own solutions for exploiting the overload.

Coaching points for this session

Overlapping:

  • Overlap at top speed and close behind the team-mate
  • Dribble straight at the opponent and commit them sufficiently
  • The pass is played when the two players are almost level
Drill 1

How Many Bunny Tails Can You Catch?

15 min
  • The catchers try to grab all the bunny tails of the opposing team as quickly as possible.
  • Once a team has no players left in the playing area, it has lost.
  • Players who are caught automatically become catchers.
  • The team that has won the most rounds wins overall.

Variations: Introduce a third team in blue. The coach calls out a colour; that team is then chased by all the other players.

Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Four cones mark the playing area.

Equipment: 4 cones and bibs in two, or optionally three, colours.

Players: Two teams in yellow and red, optionally a third in blue. Every player tucks the bib of the team colour into the back of the shorts; this is the bunny tail. Each team provides one catcher.

Coaching points
  • Always face the catcher.
  • Escape the catcher with changes of direction and body feints.
Drill 2

Overlapping Run After a Passing Combination

20 min
  • The player on the ball plays a pass out to the wing on the move.
  • The winger cuts inside with the ball towards the oncoming defender.
  • The winger plays in the overlapping team-mate on the wing.
  • After the pass, the passer moves into the middle and receives a return pass or a cross from the overlapping player.
  • The passer finishes first time with a shot.

Variations:

  • Run the drill on both sides of the pitch.
  • After a few rounds, let the defender defend actively.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Four cones mark the positions; there is a goal at one end.

Equipment: 4 cones, 1 goal and several balls.

Players: One player with a ball in the middle, one winger at the starting point and one defender, whose position is filled in rotation. Plus a goalkeeper.

Coaching points
  • Run the drill on both sides of the pitch
  • After a few rounds, let the defender defend actively
Drill 3

3 vs 2 on the Wing

20 min30 x 10 metres on the wing
  • The game starts in the corridor with a 3 vs 2.
  • The aim of the three attackers is to deliver a cross into the penalty area from the level of the yellow cone onwards.
  • The two waiting attackers run into the penalty area with the cross and take it first time wherever possible.
  • If the two defenders win the ball, they try to dribble out of the corridor towards the halfway line.

Variations: Have the drill carried out on the other side of the pitch as well.

Equipment & set-up

Pitch: On one wing a corridor of about 30 x 10 metres is marked out with cones, running from the halfway line to the goal line. On the corridor line facing the centre, a yellow cone marks the point from which crossing is allowed. The game is played on a full-size goal.

Equipment: Cones, one of them in a different colour, 1 goal, bibs in two colours, several balls.

Players: In the corridor three attackers play against two defenders. Two further attackers wait outside the corridor level with the penalty area, plus a goalkeeper.

Coaching points
  • Use the numerical advantage to combine quickly or to dribble through.
  • The defenders defend the space, but also block the route to the cross.
  • Play the attacks out to the end quickly.
  • Dribble at the opponent decisively and tie opponents up.
Drill 4

Small-Group Game: 3 vs 2 After Overlapping Runs

20 min
  • The game is played 3 vs 2.
  • Player A plays to Player C and makes an overlapping run around Player C.
  • Player C plays first time to Player B and also makes an overlapping run around Player B.
  • Player B plays back to Player A and makes an overlapping run around Player A.
  • A, B and C may then play freely and try to use the dynamic that has been created to score a goal against the two defenders.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Cones bound the area; there are four mini goals at the ends.

Equipment: 4 mini goals, cones and several balls.

Players: Two teams of six, each divided again into two groups of three.

Coaching points
  • Make the overlapping runs at top speed.
  • To begin with, let the players act without fixed passing and running routes.
  • Afterwards ask specifically for solutions.
The complete session as a ready-made training plan – with animated drills in the web app. Go to the web app

Session 2

4 drills

The 2nd session of the week is devoted to the one-two. The training begins with a free passing drill in a marked-out area. Here the players can use the one-two without pressure from opponents to begin with. Still, make sure the execution is match-like by demanding a firm 1st pass into the feet and an explosive change of pace after the pass.

In Exercise 2, an opponent is now added. If the players manage to get past the opponent with a one-two, they can finish on goal as a reward. Alternatively, you can allow the defender to be beaten by dribbling as well. This means the match situation is not too predictable and the players are forced to make decisions.

This is followed by 2 small-sided games that are ideal for continuing to work on the one-two. In Exercise 3, there are passing gates inside the area that have to be played through with a one-two. To do this, the team in possession has to open up the passing gates with targeted switches of play.

In Exercise 4, the game is 4 vs 4 with 4 support players per team in the opposing half. These can be used superbly for combination play, or simply to open up the dribbling route inside.

Coaching points for this session

One-two:

  • Play the 1st pass firmly to the team-mate's feet
  • Make an explosive change of pace immediately with the pass
  • Commit the opponent sufficiently
Drill 1

One-Two in the Square

15 min
  • The players let the ball run freely inside the area.
  • They play around the cones with one-twos.
  • The coach calls out which cones are to be played around with a one-two — for example four yellow and two blue cones.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Four tall cones mark out a square; cones in different colours are spread out inside it.

Equipment: 4 tall cones, cones in different colours and several balls.

Players: Pairs who combine together.

Coaching points
  • Demand communication.
  • Make sure the tempo is close to match speed.
  • Take short breaks again and again.
  • After the pass move on immediately and use a change of pace.
Drill 2

One-Two with One Opponent

20 minHalf a pitch
  • The players dribble towards the defender one after the other.
  • They pass to the team-mate positioned to the side.
  • They run around the opponent and get the ball back with a one-two.
  • Straight afterwards they finish at the goal.

Variations:

  • Run the drill from both sides.
  • After a few rounds, let the players decide for themselves whether the defender is beaten with a one-two or by dribbling.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Three cones mark the positions; a dummy or a defender stands on the pitch as the opponent. There is a goal at one end.

Equipment: 3 cones, 1 dummy, 1 goal and one ball per player.

Players: The players stand on the halfway line, each with a ball; one team-mate is positioned out to the side. Plus a goalkeeper.

Coaching points
  • Run it from both sides
  • After a few rounds, decide independently whether the defender should be beaten with a one-two or by dribbling
Drill 3

Game on 4 Cone Goals with a One-Two Goal

25 minFrom the penalty area to the halfway line
  • Yellow plays against blue.
  • Both teams try to play as many one-twos as possible through the cone goals.
  • Each round lasts five minutes, followed by two minutes of rest.

Variations: Reduce or increase the level of difficulty by limiting the number of touches or by changing the pitch size.

Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Four cones mark out the pitch, eight tall cones form four cone goals inside the pitch.

Equipment: 4 cones, 8 tall cones and several balls.

Players: Two teams in yellow and blue.

Coaching points
  • Look out for the willingness to run, above all without the ball.
  • Keep an overview.
  • Switch play in good time.
Drill 4

4 vs 4 + 4 Support Players

25 minDouble penalty area
  • In a double penalty area, two teams play a free game of 4 vs 4 on two goals with goalkeepers.
  • In their respective attacking half the teams have four support players.
  • The support players are positioned on the touchlines and on the goal line of the playing area and must play first time.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Two goals, six cones to mark out the playing area and the outer zones as well as two cones near the halfway line, which mark the halves.

Equipment: 2 goals, 8 cones and at least 1 ball.

Players: Two teams of four players each, one goalkeeper each as well as four support players per attacking half.

Note: If eight outside players are assigned and split between the two teams, this can lead to long periods of standing around. Six outside players are better, with the ones on the sides playing for both teams. The roles are changed regularly.

Coaching points
  • Do not block the passing lanes to the support players.
  • Use the numerical advantage cleverly.
  • Get free to become available for a pass or open up the passing lanes to the support players.

Session 3

4 drills

The last session of this training week takes up both forms of combination play, the one-two and the overlapping run.

The session starts with a one-two passing drill in which the players also have to dribble at speed. The exercise is ideal for a relay competition, provided the execution is clean.

In Exercise 2, the game is 4 vs 4 with support players. Make sure that the support players get actively involved in the play by continually adapting their position to the flow of play and making themselves available.

This is followed by another 15-minute passing drill in which both overlapping runs and one-twos are played. The exercise can be run as a continuous passing drill or ended with a finish. In both passing drills (Exercises 1 and 3), make sure the players carry them out in a match-like way by applying the coaching points for the one-two and the overlapping run.

To finish, 3 vs 2 is played once more. Thanks to the overload, there should again be lots of finishes, provided the team of 3 plays purposefully and exploits the overload cleverly.

Coaching points for this session

One-two:

  • Play the 1st pass firmly to the team-mate's feet
  • Make an explosive change of pace immediately with the pass
  • Commit the opponent sufficiently

Overlapping:

  • Overlap at top speed and close behind the team-mate
Drill 1

One-Two with Overlapping Dribble

20 minAbout 20 metres between the groups
  • First Player A plays a ground pass or a lofted pass to Player B.
  • Player B lays the ball off to the side into the path of A.
  • Player A takes the ball in their stride, dribbles to the cone, curves around Player B and runs with the ball to the tall cone opposite, in order then to dribble across to the other group.
  • After the dribble at speed the player joins the queue at the red group.
  • The red group with players C and D carries out the drill at the same time with mirrored running paths.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Mark the positions and turning points of both groups with 4 cones and 2 tall cones.

Equipment: 4 cones, 2 tall cones, balls.

Players: Divide the players into two groups, which work at the same time with mirrored running paths.

Drill 2

4 vs 4 plus 4 on Cone Goals

25 min
  • The game is played 4 vs 4, at first on two cone goals each.
  • The outside players pass back to the team that played them the ball.

Rounds:

  1. Playing wide: two players of the resting team stand at each side of the playing area.
  2. Playing wide and in depth: one player of the resting team stands at each side and at each end.
  3. Playing in depth: two players of the resting team stand facing the playing area at each end.
  4. As in the second round, but on four cone goals.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Four cones mark the corners of the playing area. Eight more cones in a different colour form four cone goals, two on each of the two long sides.

Equipment: 12 cones and several balls.

Players: Three teams of four players each in their own bib colour; two teams play against each other inside the playing area, the third stands outside as passing options, spread over all four sides.

Coaching points
  • The team in numerical superiority occupies the playing area in width and depth.
  • The team with fewer players covers for each other.
  • It tries to provoke square passes and transitions quickly on winning the ball.
Drill 3

One-Two + Overlapping Run with a Shot

20 min
  • The red player dribbles at speed towards the goal.
  • The grey player comes to meet the red player from the outside and receives the pass.
  • The grey player plays the ball back first time into the path of the red player.
  • After the first pass, the yellow player makes an overlapping run around the grey player and receives a pass into the path from the red player.
  • The yellow player dribbles to the goal line and crosses to the onrushing red player.
  • The red player controls the ball and finishes.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Six cones mark the positions; there is a goal at one end.

Equipment: 6 cones, 1 goal and several balls.

Players: One red, one grey and one yellow player; plus a goalkeeper.

Drill 4

3 vs 2 + Goalkeeper

25 min20 x 10 metres
  • The attacking team, in numerical superiority, tries to get to a finish purposefully.
  • The team with fewer players may counter-attack on the other goal on winning the ball.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Cones mark out the playing area; there is a goal at each end.

Equipment: 2 goals, cones and several balls.

Players: Three attackers against two defenders; plus goalkeepers.

Coaching points
  • The team in numerical superiority occupies the playing area in width and depth.
  • The team with fewer players covers for each other.
  • It tries to provoke square passes and transitions quickly on winning the ball.
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