Patterns of play ยท U13 to adult

4-3-3 third-man run to the striker

Centre-back plays into the striker, who sets back to an 8 running forward, who slips the winger in behind. A third-man pattern that breaks lines in a 4-3-3.

U13 to adultAges
6 to 10 plus a keeperPlayers
40 x 30 m to goalArea
15 minsTime

Your assistant coach: turn this drill into a full session, plan the weeks around it and tell me how it went.

Set-up

  • Centre-back with balls, striker, a number 8, a winger. Keeper in goal.
  • Mannequins or cones for the opposition back line.

Equipment: Cones, balls, goal

How it works

  1. Centre-back plays into the striker's feet.
  2. Striker sets it back first time to the 8 running past.
  3. The 8 plays through for the winger making a diagonal run in behind.
  4. Winger finishes. Rotate positions after each go.

Coaching points

  • Striker: check away, then come short; set with the inside of the foot.
  • 8: start your run as the first pass is played, not after.
  • Winger: run on the defender's blind side, stay onside.

Formations this drill suits

Add this drill to a session plan โ†’

Make it easier

  • Remove the through pass: 8 shoots
  • Bigger gaps between cones

Make it harder

  • Add a recovering defender
  • Must finish within three touches of the through ball

AttackersDefendersKeeper / neutral- - โ†’ Passโ†’ Runใ€ฐโ†’ Dribble

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