3v2: Third-Man Run in Behind
Three attackers against two defenders and a goalkeeper. Bonus goal when the striker's lay-off is followed by a pass to a third player running in behind.
- Age
- U13–Senior
- Players
- 8–15
- Duration
- 18 min
- Difficulty
- Advanced
- Intensity
- High
- Area
- 35 × 30 m
- Type
- Tactical
- Approach
- Global
- Format
- Waves
- Objectives
- Technical: Finishing
- Tactical: Combination play, Decision making
- Concepts worked on
- Technical:Shooting
- Tactical:Third-man runRuns in behindNumerical superiority
Training diagram
Legend
- Attacker
- Defender
- Goalkeeper
- Pass
- Run without ball
- Shot
- Ball
- Cone
- Goal
Third-man runs are hard to defend because the defenders watch the ball and the first receiver. Here the central attacker drops to receive and sets the ball back; the wide attacker starts the run as the lay-off is played and receives in behind. The overload makes the combination possible; the bonus makes it a habit.
Objective
Use the lay-off and a third-man run to get in behind two defenders.
Organisation
- 35 × 30 m in front of a goal with a goalkeeper. Two defenders from 13 m.
- Three attackers start 20–30 m from goal: a deep midfielder with the ball, a central striker and a wide runner.
How it works
- Attackers have 10 seconds to score. A goal after a third-man pass counts double.
- If defenders win the ball, they score by passing to the coach at the start.
- Rotate attackers' positions every attack.
Coaching points
- Striker: come towards the ball to drag a defender out, set first time.
- Runner: start as the striker receives, run on the blind side of the defender.
- Passer: play the ball into space in front of the runner, first time if possible.
Progressions
- Add a recovering defender (3v3).
Regressions
- One passive defender.
Variations
- The runner may come from deep (midfielder arrives late).
Key principles
- Draw, set, release the runner.
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