Overlap
An attacking run where a player sprints outside and beyond a teammate on the ball to offer a passing option down the flank.
Definition
An overlap happens when a supporting player, often a full-back, runs around the outside of a teammate who has the ball and moves ahead of them toward the opposition goal. This creates a two-versus-one on the wing and stretches the defence wide.
Most associated with football, the overlap forces a defender to choose between staying with the ball-carrier or tracking the runner. It is the opposite of an underlapping run, which goes inside rather than outside the player on the ball.
Where you’ll hear “overlap”
Sports that use this term:
Football
The world’s most popular team sport — endless running, teamwork and community in one game.
Futsal
A fast, small-sided indoor form of football played on a hard court with a low-bounce ball.
Field Hockey
An outdoor team sport that uses curved sticks to move a ball, built on agility and teamwork.
How it connects
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Tactics
- Wing playAttacking down the flanks and crossing the ball into the box to stretch the defence and create chances.
- High pressA football tactic where a team hunts the ball high up the pitch to win it back close to the opponent’s goal.
- Serve and volleyAn attacking tennis tactic where the server follows their serve to the net to finish the point with a volley.
- Counter-attackWinning the ball and moving forward at speed to attack before the opponent can reorganise their defence.
- Possession playA patient football style that keeps the ball through short passing to control the game and tire opponents.
Decision making
- Option recognitionSeeing what actions are actually available in a moment — the passes, shots or moves on offer — before choosing between them.
- Positioning choicesDeciding where to place yourself — often before the ball arrives — to cover space, stay ready to act and shape what an opponent can do.
- Pass selectionChoosing which pass to play, and to whom, from the options a moment offers — weighing space, risk and what the team is trying to do.
- Situational awarenessHolding an overall picture of what is happening around you — teammates, opponents, ball, space and the state of the game — and keeping it updated as play unfolds.
- When to keep possessionJudging when to hold and recycle the ball rather than force a forward option — choosing patience and control over immediate progress.
Skills
- PassingThe skill of moving the ball to a teammate accurately to keep possession and create chances.
- SpikingThe volleyball skill of jumping and striking the ball forcefully down into the opponent’s court.
- ServingThe skill of putting the ball or shuttle into play to start a point or rally.
- Ball controlThe skill of receiving and settling the ball quickly so it is ready to use.
- HeadingThe skill of directing the ball with the head to pass, clear or attempt to score.
Equipment
- Football (soccer ball)A round, inflated ball used to play association football and futsal.
- BasketballA large, inflated ball with a dimpled surface used to play basketball.
- Tennis racquetA strung frame with a handle used to hit the ball in tennis.
- Pickleball paddleA solid, flat paddle used to hit the perforated plastic ball in pickleball.
- Cricket batA flat-fronted wooden bat used by batters to hit the ball in cricket.
Rules
- Handball offenceA foul in football committed when an outfield player deliberately handles or controls the ball with the hand or arm.
- OffsideA rule that prevents an attacker from gaining an advantage by being positioned too close to the opponents' goal ahead of the ball and the last defenders.
- TravelingA basketball violation for moving illegally with the ball without dribbling it.
- Out of boundsThe rule that a ball or player leaving the marked playing area is out of play and possession is decided at the boundary.
- Double dribbleA basketball violation for dribbling with two hands at once, or for dribbling again after picking up the ball.
Positions
- StrikerA striker is the main attacking player in football, positioned furthest forward with the primary job of scoring goals.
- GoalkeeperThe goalkeeper is the last line of defence in football and the only player allowed to handle the ball inside their own penalty area.
- WingerA winger is an attacking player who operates in the wide areas of the pitch, using pace and dribbling to beat defenders and create chances.
- Full-backA full-back is a defender who plays on the left or right side of the defence, defending the flank while also supporting attacks down the wing.
- Outside hitterThe outside hitter attacks from the left side of the net and is often a volleyball team’s main scoring option.