Football
An overlap is a run beyond the teammate on the ball on their outside, most often near the wing. It can create a passing option or draw a defender away.
Reading the diagram
The solid arrow shows the green player running closer to the sideline than the ball carrier. The runner does not have to be a fullback.
This original FootballCap diagram does not depict a real match. Green and white markers distinguish the teams. Solid lines show movement; dashed lines show passes where present. Positions are not drawn to real-world distance scale.
Common misconceptions
An overlap differs from an underlap in the runner’s position relative to the teammate, not their preferred foot. A run in the right direction can still trap both players if the timing is wrong.
Try it yourself
Have the defender follow the outside runner and watch the ball carrier. Does more space open for a dribble inside?
Keep observations separate from explanations. Test tactical ideas on the tactics board. For metrics, establish the definition and data source before calculating.
Related terms
References
- Coaches’ Voice — Coach watch: Nigel Pearson (overlap/underlap)
Source checked: 2026-09-09
Links for further reading; source images, videos, and data are not reproduced.