Overlaps & Third-Man Runs | Combined Attacking Patterns Session

Overview

• Run it as group work with 16 players
• Fire off several attacking patterns at once while your team keeps the ball
• Teach combined movement — wide attacks, central breaks, overlaps, and more
• Built for players who already get positional play and are ready to level up

Objectives

• Sharpen the decision-making to pick the right attacking pattern for the moment
• Nail the timing of overlaps — the support run from behind, like an outside back
• Add weight to the attack through the third player (anyone other than the passer and receiver)
• Get players trusting each other on the move, and raise both passing accuracy and their options
• Build the habit of always prepping the next play while the ball keeps moving

Setup

This is a fluid passing session that combines several attacking patterns — overlaps, underlaps, third-man runs, and more. Your players stay on the move the whole time, supporting the ball carrier and creating depth and width in the attack.

１）Set the field at 40m x 50m and spread players out across several groups

２）The moment the ball carrier plays a pass, several players break into support in different directions

３）Use overlaps (the support run from behind) to build wide, stretched attacks

４）The third player keeps moving to open passing lanes or get involved in the finish

５）Once a pattern is complete, hand the ball to another player or switch the attack to the other side