The set up is as it would be in the attacking shape of a 4-2-3-1, so you can take this small sided game to represent the 11 v 11 in a particular area of the field making the same types of plays.

You can also use this for any team shape set up you might use in an 8 v 8 or 11 v 11. If you play with two striker s then play 7 v 7 and two up front for example or even change the shape behind.

To begin to help provide a guide / signal for when to make the 3rd man run we have a CONDITIONED RULE: Every time the ball is passed BACKWARDS, another player must run forward and beyond the ball.

That would be the forward third man run we are encouraging; and the player receiving the back pass needs to see that run and make that pass.

Coaching Points:

Identifying the conditioned moment (a back pass) to make the run
Identifying the conditioned moment to make the pass
Timing; angle and weight of the pass off a previous pass back
Timing and angle of the run to receive the through ball
Encouraging more than one player making a forward run to increase the options

Scoring: To score the player has to receive the pass as he or she is over the end line within the end zone. Equate the first line on the end zone as the back four of the opponents so you are timing the run to beat the back four (or beat their offside with a run from deep).

Timing: Going too early with the run and they receive the pass in an offside position. Weight of pass is so important here also.

The ball is passed forward first, as soon as it is passed back that is the signal for a player; or players; to make forward runs beyond the ball and beyond the furthest forward player; if possible. Here (11) is the receiving player.

The third man run passing sequence can also be started and end with the same player such as here with (11) who plays forward to (9) who drops the ball back to (7) who plays the forward pass to (11) making the blindside run.

Here a run from a deeper position by (8). The ball goes back to (10) which is the signal for a forward run, and (8) makes the run into the space that (7) has created by coming inside and bringing the defender inside also. (8) Did not get beyond (9) initially but we still got the third man run in.

Here two players make third man runs beyond the ball so (7) has two options of a pass. This is even better.

1. The ball is played back to (10) off (11) who makes a forward run. When it was passed back (8) started the third man run. Because it was from very deep he had time to run a distance to meet the pass without being offside so there was time to pass to (9) and for (9) to receive and turn and pass the ball in.

2. Again timing is the essence of all this for it to work.

3. Being wide, (8) is in a great observational position and can watch the play as it builds up; and be able to make the right run at the right time.

Development:

1. Have a goal instead of an end zone so the outside end line is still the offside line representing the back four; but now you can finish on goal.

2. Initially have it where defenders cannot track the player once they are beyond the end line so they have a free run on goal to gain confidence in finishing without pressure.

3. Then allow defenders to track the run and tackle so increasing the pressure on the finisher.

4. Good for finishing one v one also with defenders tracking the player to pressure them.

Include goals as an end product

1. The inside thick end line represents the back four position of the opponents. We need to build the attack and once the ball is played back another player; or players; makes the third man run off the ball, in this case (8) and (11).

2. Set up like this you can have two teams working on the same theme.

3. If you want to relate it to playing against a back four you can bring your own back four in and set it up as such; as I have shown in the Phase of Play next.

Phase of play: focusing on movement and third man runs beyond the ball

You can Include the pass back condition to help the players identify the right movement to make the 3rd man forward run until they can do it without this condition.

1. Defending team win it they pass the ball into the small goals and we start again. You can keep score to keep it competitive. (7) Is a good option as he or she comes inside from the blind side of (3) who may be ball watching and see their run too late.

2. Here as the ball is played into (9); (10) and (7) start to make forward runs to offer two options behind the back four to pass into; and (11) plays the diagonal through ball to (7).

3. (8) Fills the space behind left by (10) and it could easily be a lay off from (9) to (8) to play the forward pass also.

4. DEVELOP: Bring in both fullbacks attacking so we add even more options of third man runs, especially when the wide players (7) and (11) cut inside to clear the space outside.

1. (11) has two options of a forward pass, choosing (10) in this case over (7).

2. In this case a ball over the top of the defense would be a great pass too; especially if the defense is focusing on the ball. For example (7) comes from the blind side of (3) as in the previous diagram. It could be a flatter run if it helps the timing.

1. It is easier for the third man run player to see the ball when it is coming towards them at an angle, such as in this diagram above (with the run of (7) here). (7) CAN SEE THE FULL BUILD UP HERE AND IT WILL HELP HIS OR HER TIMING.

2. If directly from behind the run (in 10’s case) then it is much harder to see when and where the pass is being made to get the timing and angle of the run correct, though it can still work with players with good awareness and peripheral vision..

FINALLY: Take out the condition of the run coming off another player passing the ball back. Now players must work it out for themselves when and where they make the runs beyond the opponents back four.

DEVELOPMENT: It also does not necessarily have to be from a back pass anymore, that was just a condition put in to ensure the runs were made initially in the practice. Players can still make third man runs off forward passes.

Here is an example of such a play. (9) Plays it forward to (7), (10) has already set off on the forward run to receive into the space created by (9) coming short to receive and dragging center back (4) to the ball also.

REMEMBER; all these diagrams are set up to show the attacking TEAM HAVING SUCCESS. It won’t be as easy in actual play but our aim / goal here is to develop a training plan to make it successful initially; and to give the players confidence in the execution of the idea.

In reality the fullback (2) should tuck in to fill the space as (4) goes short, leaving (11) free but he is not the danger, (10) is.

And / Or perhaps a midfield defending player (maybe (6) for example) will track (10)’s run to make it more difficult to have success but you will add that into the session after initial success; to really test the players. This third man run concept is particularly good when teams defend high against you so there is lots of space to run into behind the back four