Vocabulary
8 key words for this lesson
WIDTH
Using the full left-to-right space of the pitch — spreading players out to force the opposition to defend a wider area.
They use width brilliantly — the wingers stay very wide to stretch the opposition and create gaps in the middle.
DEPTH
Using the full front-to-back space of the pitch — having players at different distances from goal to give more passing options.
Good depth means the striker is always in behind and the midfielder is available between the lines.
OVERLAP
When a full-back runs forward on the outside of the winger — going past them to receive the ball in a wide position.
The left-back makes a brilliant overlap — she runs beyond the winger and receives the ball near the byline.
UNDERLAP
When a full-back cuts inside, running between the winger and the centre of the pitch — a run inside rather than outside.
The right-back underlaps as the winger goes to the byline — creating a 2v1 against the left-back.
STRETCH
To force the opposition to defend a wider or deeper area — pulling them apart to create gaps.
The wide forwards stretch the defence by staying very wide — pulling the full-backs out and opening space in the middle.
INVERTED WINGER
A winger who plays on the opposite side to their strong foot — cutting inside rather than going to the byline. A right-footed winger on the left, or left-footed on the right.
She is an inverted winger — she plays on the right but cuts inside onto her left foot to shoot or pass.
BYLINE
The end line of the pitch — the line that runs along the goal line at each end. Getting to the byline means reaching the very edge of the pitch to cross the ball.
The winger reaches the byline and cuts the ball back to the striker at the penalty spot.
CUTBACK
A pass played backward from near the byline to a player running into the penalty area — one of the most dangerous attacking moves.
The cutback from the byline found the midfielder arriving late — she scored with a first-time shot.
Grammar Focus
Understand the grammar rule behind this lesson's topic
Grammar focus
Focus: Gerunds vs Infinitives — talking about football actions
In English, both the gerund (verb + -ing) and the infinitive (to + verb) can be used as the subject or object of a sentence — but different verbs require different forms. Some verbs are followed by a gerund, some by an infinitive, and some can take both.
Phrases
6 phrases and their meanings
GET IN BEHIND
To run past the defensive line and receive the ball in the space behind the defenders.
The striker is always trying to get in behind — she wants the ball played over the top for her to run onto.
CUT INSIDE
To move from a wide position towards the centre of the pitch — usually done by an inverted winger.
The winger cuts inside onto her right foot and shoots — the full-back expected her to go wide but she went central.
PULL WIDE
To move to a wide position on the pitch — creating space in the centre by drawing defenders out.
The winger pulls wide to drag the full-back with her — opening space in the middle for the overlapping run.
MAKE A RUN
To move into space — to sprint into a position to receive a pass.
The full-back makes a run beyond the winger — timing the run perfectly to receive the ball in space.
PLAY ONE-TWO
A quick passing combination — passing to a teammate and immediately receiving the ball back.
They play a quick one-two to beat the press — pass, move, receive, gone. Very fast combination play.
WHIP IN
To cross the ball with pace and bend — a fast, curling cross into the penalty area.
She reaches the byline and whips in a cross — the ball bends away from the goalkeeper and finds the striker.
On the Pitch
Real phrases used on the pitch and at training — learn them, shout them!
These are instructions and phrases used in attacking wide play and creating width.
“Stay wide!”
Keep your position near the touchline — do not come inside.
Instruction to a winger or wide player to remain wide even when they want to cut inside. Staying wide stretches the opposition defensive line — pulling their full-back out and opening space in the centre. If the winger comes inside too early, they take away the width the team needs. "Stay wide" is one of the most common instructions in modern football.
“Overlap! Go!”
Full-back — make your run beyond the winger now.
Urgent instruction to the full-back to time their overlap run. "Overlap" means run on the outside of the winger — past them into the space near the byline. Timing is everything — if the full-back goes too early, the defender sees them and closes down. The instruction "Overlap! Go!" tells them the moment is right to make the run.
“Cut it back!”
Instead of crossing into the box, play the ball back toward the penalty spot.
Used when a player reaches the byline. Rather than crossing into the air, they cut the ball back along the ground to a teammate arriving in the penalty area. A cutback is very dangerous — it is low, fast, and difficult for defenders to clear. "Cut it back" is the instruction that unlocks many goals.
“Get to the byline!”
Push to the end line — do not stop short.
Instruction to encourage a winger or full-back to drive all the way to the end line before crossing. Getting to the byline pulls defenders to the corner of the pitch — opening more space for the cutback. Many players stop short and cross from a less dangerous position. "Get to the byline" tells them to go all the way.
“They're so wide — there's loads of space in behind.”
The opposition has pushed wide defenders out — the space behind them is open for exploitation.
An observation used when the opposition has committed players wide — leaving space behind them for a diagonal run or through ball. "Loads of space in behind" = lots of space behind the defensive line. This is the risk of defending very wide: you can be exposed by a run in behind or a ball over the top.
“Use the underlap!”
Full-back — cut inside and run between the winger and the centre of the pitch.
Used when the winger is going wide — instructing the full-back to run inside (underlap) instead of outside (overlap). An underlap is less common and harder to defend because it creates a threat in the central area. The combination of one player going wide and another underlapping creates a 2v1 against the nearest defender.
Videos
Watch these terms used in context
Dialogue
Read the dialogue and hover the blue words for definitions
Coach Diallo
Sofia
RonaldoToday — width and depth. Sofia — which do you prefer — overlap or underlap?
I enjoy creating the overlap — running beyond the winger gives you a crossing position near the byline. But the underlap can be more dangerous because defenders do not expect it.
Good. "Enjoy creating" — gerund after "enjoy." Now Ronaldo — what does the inverted winger do differently from a traditional winger?
A traditional winger tends to stay wide and get to the byline. An inverted winger prefers cutting inside — they want to shoot on their stronger foot. They avoid going to the byline.
"Prefers cutting" — gerund after "prefers." "Avoid going" — gerund after "avoid." "Wants to shoot" — infinitive after "wants." Your grammar is improving, Ronaldo. And what is the cutback?
Instead of crossing into the air, you decide to play the ball back along the ground to a teammate arriving in the penalty area. Defenders hate defending cutbacks because the ball is low, fast, and played away from the goalkeeper.
"Decide to play" — infinitive after "decide." "Hate defending" — gerund after "hate." So what is our principle with width?
Stretching the play creates space. By keeping width, we force the defenders to choose — follow the winger and leave space in the middle, or stay narrow and let us whip in crosses from wide positions.
Exercises
Complete all three exercises to see your final score
Complete the Sentence
Choose the correct answer to complete each sentence.
Choose the correct form — gerund (verb-ing) or infinitive (to + verb).
1.The full-back enjoys on the right side — it is her favourite run in the team.
2.The winger decided inside rather than going to the byline.
3. the play pulls defenders wide and opens space in the centre.
4.They avoid too narrow — they always want to use the full width of the pitch.
5.The coach practises the overlap combination every training session.
6.The team managed the byline twice in the first half but did not score.
Matching
Click a word, then click its correct definition.
Click a word on the left, then its definition on the right.
Words
Definitions
Fill in the Blank
Drag the correct words from the word bank to complete each sentence.
Sentence 1
The team enjoys— — —width on both sides — keeping wingers wide to stretch the defence.
Sentence 2
The left-back decided— — —beyond the winger and whip in a cross from the byline.
Sentence 3
They avoid— — —too narrow — they always use the full width of the pitch.
Sentence 4
The inverted winger prefers— — —inside onto her stronger foot rather than going to the byline.
Sentence 5
— — —the play creates space in the middle by pulling defenders wide.
Sentence 6
The full-back managed— — —the byline and cut the ball back to the arriving striker.
Sentence 7
The coach decided— — —an underlap combination — the winger goes wide, the full-back cuts inside.
Sentence 8
The defenders hate— — —cutbacks because the ball is low, fast, and away from the goalkeeper.
Tip: Think about the meaning of each word and what makes sense in the sentence.
Multiple Choice
Choose the best answer for each question about the dialogue.
1.Which verb is correctly followed by a gerund?
2.Which verb is correctly followed by an infinitive?
3.What is an "overlap" in football?
4.What is an "underlap"?
5."Stretching the play creates space in the middle." What grammar form is "Stretching" here?
6.What is a "cutback"?
7.What does an inverted winger typically do?
8.Which sentence is CORRECT?
Group Activities
Role-play scenarios and discussion questions for group classes
🎯 Choose the Best Response
Work in groups. Choose the best response — paying attention to gerunds and infinitives.
Customer says
“What is the difference between an overlap and an underlap?”
Salesperson responds…
Customer says
“Why do teams use inverted wingers?”
Salesperson responds…
Customer says
“How do you coach a full-back to time the overlap?”
Salesperson responds…
Customer says
“When should a winger decide to cut inside versus staying wide?”
Salesperson responds…
🔍 Spot the Mistake
There are three mistakes with gerunds and infinitives in this tactical discussion. Find them.
Coach Diallo
We practise to create overlaps every session — the timing of the run is everything.
Sofia
I enjoy overlapping on the left — running beyond the winger and whipping in a cross.
Coach Diallo
Good. And the inverted winger — she tends cutting inside rather than staying wide.
Ronaldo
She avoids to go to the byline — she prefers shooting from the inside-left position on her stronger foot.
Coach Diallo
Correct. And remember — stretching the play creates space. Never avoid to use width.
Sofia
We need to stay wide even when it is tempting to come inside too early.
✏️ Finish the Salesperson's Line
Complete the coach's explanation — use gerunds and infinitives correctly.
Customer
“Ronaldo: How do you coach a winger to decide between cutting inside and staying wide?”
Salesperson
“Coach Diallo: I tell them to read the situation — to look at where the full-back is before deciding. …”
Customer
“Sofia: What is the best way to use an inverted winger in a 4-3-3?”
Salesperson
“Coach Diallo: In a 4-3-3, the inverted winger tends to play wide on the opposite side to their strong foot. …”
Customer
“Ronaldo: How important is the cutback in modern football?”
Salesperson
“Coach Diallo: The cutback is one of the most effective ways to score — and many teams practise creating it every day. …”
Customer
“Sofia: How do you use width against a team that plays a narrow 4-4-2?”
Salesperson
“Coach Diallo: Against a narrow 4-4-2, stretching the play wide is the most effective tactic. …”