Contact Help center
Football Football
HOME Football SEARCH

Football: third man

third man DRILLS
View All

Third man Passing

Players move to meet the pass and play a one-two. After playing the return pass the player should then move to receive the diagonal pass. The patten then continues all the way around the grid.

Passing and Receiving

3 man weave Passing and Receiv...

3 players run down the pitch, passing and interchanging to finish with a shot at goal. Player in the middle starts with the ball. They pass the ball to one of the outside players and overlaps around them. The second player passes the ball to the player on the other side and overlaps around them. Each player receives the ball from the same player every time and they should overlap around the player they pass to. 

General

3 Man Pass and Run Passing and...

Players pass and then move to find an empty cone. Players should take 1 touch. With bigger numbers in your training session you can increase the number of cones and the number of balls accordingly.

General

The Triangle with Movement Pas...

Aim of the Drill; to pass and have the player of the ball react to the pass and provide support by running to the open space.<Br>Set up a square grid with cones.<Br>Place 3 players on 3 of the corners.<br>Player 2 starts with the ball. He initially has support to his left and right from players 1 and 3.<br>He now passes to player 3, player 3 has only support from player 2. Player 1 must recognize this and run to the occupied cone and re-establish support in 2 directions for the ball handler.

General

Football: Throw in - Receive a...

Players start on the touchline and side-step quickly inside the pitch towards the blue cone. When they reach the cone the red players should be ready to throw the ball to either the player's heads or chests. Depending on the feed players should either head the ball straight back to the feeder's feet or control and then play the return pass. The red player then plays a wide pass for the blue player to run onto. Once the blue player has run onto the pass they join the back of the feeders' line and the red player runs to the start line.

General

thigh and pass Passing and Rec...

Ball is dropped onto the thigh, before first time passing the ball to a partner.

General

1, 2, 3 Pass and Move Passing ...

There are two triangles in this drill, both using the same top point player (player 5). Players in the top triangle pass in an anti-clockwise direction and players in the lower triangle pass in a clock-wise direction. Both pairs of players must use the middle player as their third passing option.

General

Pac Man Conditioned games - Fo...

This is an initial pulse raiser to get players focus; physically prepared for the session.Mark out a 20 x 20 grid with cones every 10m.On each line of the grid put a piece of equipment (poles, ladders, hurdles, cones).Put 2 players into bibs (pac men) and everyone else starts spread out next to cone.You can only move alone the lines from cone - cone. If a player comes to a piece of equipment they need to go through it efficiently.If you are caught then you're out or can join the pac men chasing.Introduce balls after a couple of games, where players can take turns to enter skill zone with ball, perform skill; pass to partner (swap).

General

3 Player Combination with Defe...

Set up as shown. The player in the middle starts with the ball. They play a diagonal ball into space so that the player to the right can run onto it. They then play a square ball, once the defender has committed, to the player far left who plays a 1st time ball into the middle player.

General

Overloading to push up Conditi...

The pitch is split into 3 thirds with 2 defenders in the defending third, 2 midfielders in the middle third and 1 attacker in the attacking third. The ball starts with one of the goalkeepers who plays the ball into one of the defenders. The defenders play a 2v1 against the oppositions attacking player (3v1 if you include the goalkeeper) with the objective of trying to get the ball into one of the midfield players. Once this occurs, the defender who has not passed the ball into the midfield area can go and join the middle third to create a 3v2 situation. The midfield players then try to play the ball into the attacker placed inside the attacking third. ONe of the non-passing midfielders can then enter the attacking third to create a 2v2. Then the attackers try to score against the opposition. Once the ball goes dead, into the goal or is regained by the opposition, the same scenario occurs with the other team in possession and the defending team must retreat to their defensive zones.

General

Passes in 3s - middle man move...

Set up as shown with 2 cones (the disatance of which between can be modified depending on ability or challenge you want to set your players).1 player on each cone and 1 player in the middle, 1 ball between the 3.Play starts with 1 end player playing a 1,2 with the middle player and then playing a pass long to the other end player.Middle player should move towards the end player he passes to and then quickly accelerate with the pass on that player to get to a new position to repeat the sequence with the other end player.

General

Beat the Runner Passing and Re...

Group in pairs. One ball between the pair. Repeat in 5 other areas for a total of 12 players.Player 2 passes the ball across the area to player 1. Player 2 then runs immediately around the cone and back to his starting position. Player 1 must control the ball, then pass it back using the inside of his foot, attempting to pass the ball over the far end line before player 2 gets back into position. A goal is scored if the ball goes over the end line travelling along the ground. Repeat and rotate.

General

2 touch 3's Passing Passing an...

Set up as shown with 2 cones (the disatance of which between can be modified depending on ability or challenge you want to set your players). 1 player on each cone and 1 player in the middle, 1 ball between the 3. Players always take 2 touches, the ball is moved from one end, into the middle man and then to the other end before the sequence is repeated from the other side.

General

2v1 To A Goal Passing and Rece...

Set up as shown with two attackers and one defender, with the defender positioned closest to the goal. Attackers must look to pass the ball quickly  before dribbling it into the goal.

General

Run and Pass Crossing and Fini...

Player 1 (red) runs the ball to the third cone. They then play a diagonal pass across to the player on the opposite side. The player on the opposite side runs to the third cone in tandem with Player 1 (red) and also plays a diagonal pass to Player 2 Red. Repeat. After making the pass players should chase their pass across so that they force the nearest player to get the ball out of their feet quickly.

General

The Christmas Tree Agility - F...

This is a fun drill for the festive period but it works on agility, speed, reactions and finishing under pressure. Both players stand behind the red cone, they must run to and touch the green cone, then run to and touch the orange cone before racing to the ball and shooting. A point is given to the team that scores first. No point if they miss the target!!!

General

Floor Is Lava Agility - Footba...

Form a sqaure with players evenly split across the four cornersWorking diagnally players must look to dribble across, avoiding those also working across the squareThe more space they have the bigger toucher they can take

General

2v1 Functional Play Passing an...

Player 1 starts with the ball. The ball is played in with pace to the feet of player 2. As the ball is played in player 2 moves to the ball, and with their first touch aim to bring the ball inside and round the defender. The same can be done on the outside towards the touch line.

General

Follow Your Pass Passing and R...

Set up a square roughly 10m x 10m.Have a few players at each corner.In 2 of the corners (diagonal) a player starts with a ball. They pass the ball clockwise around the square, to the next corner and follow their pass.The ball is passed clockwise around the square.Once each player has passed a few times switch to anti-clockwise.

General

Scoring From Crosses Crossing ...

Player 2 receives the ball from player 1. Player 2 should control and receive the ball on the half turn, turning out towards the touchline. Player 2 then travels with the ball and crosses into the penalty area for the attacking player.

General

3 Player Combination Passing a...

Set up as shown. The player in the middle starts with the ball. They play a diagonal ball into space so that the player to the right can run onto it. That player now plays a square ball to the player far left who plays a 1st time ball to the middle player.

General

6 vs 2 Invasion Game Defending...

High Intensity drillThis a 6 vs 2 invasion game. Mark out three areas in a line (each box 15m x 25m) using cones (You can adjust the area based on the level of the players and if it is too easy for the Attackers or Defenders).Start with 6 players in each of the two end areas and 4 in the middle area.The aim of this drill is for the 6 players in each end to keep possession of the ball, with those in the middle taking turns to try and win the ball. Players in the end zone have 2 touches maximum or a point goes to the Defenders.To start, a Feeder will throw the ball into one of the ends. Two Defenders will then move into the relevant end and chase down passes in an effort to win the ball back in a 6 vs 2 game.The 6 players will be passing the ball amongst themselves. Once they have completed 6 successful passes then they can pass to the opposite end. When this happens, the players left in the middle will enter that end and do the same thing.The Defenders work for 3 minutes then rotate the playing positions around.

General

Unfortunately there were no results for your search! Please try again
third man SESSIONS
View All

Training for Pre-Season: Pass and Move

Pre-season training doesn't have to be boring! Use the 5 drills in this fitness plan to get your players back in shape and improving their passing game.
third man ANSWERS
View All

Basic drills for passing and control?

im taking a coaching session and cant seem to come up with any decent basic drills for passing and controlling could anyone give me an idea

Archived User Coach

What's best method of getting team confident with 3 backs?

i want mid and strikers to feel like they can roam anywhere to create space or opportunity. Problem is they are so set in positional play they struggle to think outside square or trust team mates will cover zones

benjamin frean Coach, New Zealand

how can I progress this sessio...

Cedric Pisani Coach, Malta

Team thrashed every week - whe...

Team keep getting thrashed every week - where to start? Having been the sole coach/manager of a little league team for the past two years, this year I lost all my senior players. I was therefore presented with 10 brand new lads, some of whom have never played competitive football. We are 8 games in and my lads are getting thrashed every week. The main problems are that they cannot get the ball out of their half, positions are usually a mess, finishing and chance creation are non-existent, and they don't apply any pressure or are unable to tackle. The main problems are keeping the ball as a team, getting it in the opponents half and staying there, and creating/finishing chances. I only have 1 and a half hours a week with them. I don't really know what to do, and I'm a little desperate. Does anybody have any advice? Thanks for literally anything.

Coach, England

JOIN SPORTPLAN FOR FREE

  • search our library of 500+ soccer drills
  • create your own professional coaching plans
  • or access our tried and tested plans
LATEST FROM THE BLOG
Banish Your Coaching Nightmares with Sportplan

Banish Your Coaching Nightmares with Sportplan

Save yourself a scare this Halloween and ensure your session runs smoothly. No chaos, no fright, just structure.

October 30th, 2025
|
Cam Hughes
The 2025 British & Irish Lions Tour: What To Expect

The 2025 British & Irish Lions Tour: What To Expect

As the Lions tour approaches with their first tour game this Friday against Argentina, we look ahead at what the fans can expect to see from both sides as the tour in Australia approaches...

June 18th, 2025
|
Cam Hughes
Transform Your Coaching: Discover the Power of FootballBot!

Transform Your Coaching: Discover the Power of FootballBot!

Introducing the Sportplan FootballBot. Your new coaching partner that has all the answers to the questions you may have...

June 12th, 2025
|
Cam Hughes
VISIT THE BLOG TO READ MORE
Football POPULAR SEARCH TERMS
defendingoverlapshootingcrossingpre seasonfitnessdribblingwarm upspassingpossession3rd man rungoalkeeperheadingbarcacreating spacewarm upfirst touchsoccercornerssession plans

What our users have been saying...

Coaches from around the world look to Sportplan for coaching confidence.

Excellent site with easy to navigate pages.

Lawrence Hanrahan England

The 'My Stuff' feature is amazing! It's a coach's best friend!

Thomas McArdle United Kingdom

Love the site, it's a fantastic learning tool!

Ian Mckellar America

Wow what a great website, I have found sportplan an important tool for me when planning my netball sessions with my netball team. There are alot of very helpful tips/ideas/skills that I can learn and teach to my team. Thank you sportplan I hope to continue to use your helpful tips and to learn more about improving my teams netball skills. Thanks again....keep it up....

Monique New Zealand

I have been using Sportplan now for 3 years and can honestly say that I have never repeated the same session twice. My girls are always focused and are improving every year. Thanks Sportplan.

Debbie Cross Australia

What a fantastic tool. The Chalkboard and session tools make an unbelievable difference in making training plans in both time and organization. I will be instructing all of my assistant coaches that this tool must be used for all sessions during the season, so that we may build a club coaching resource library.

Wes Campbell Rugby Coach Canada

I can't get enough of the Sportplan, It has given me back the enthusiasm i was starting to lose. My girls are so keen and are ready at 14 to take the next up in their game. Sportplan will help no end.

Cornel Basketball Coach, South Africa

SIGN UP NOW FOR FREE

  • search our library of 500+ soccer drills
  • create professional soccer coaching plans
  • or access our tried and tested soccer plans

Sportplan App

Give it a try - it's better in the app

SPORTPLAN USES COOKIES

Sportspeople like cookies too! By continuing to browse, you are agreeing to our use of cookies. More info

Privacy Policy
We are committed to privacy and support current industry initiatives to preserve individual privacy rights on the Internet. Protecting your privacy on-line is an evolving area and this website will constantly evolve to meet these demands.


Cookies
Some of our web pages utilise "cookies". A "cookie" is a small text file that may be used, forexample, to collect information about web site activity. Some cookies and other technologies may serve to recallPersonal Information previously indicated by a web user. Most browsers allow you to control cookies, includingwhether or not to accept them and how to remove them.

Some cookies are necessary for the operation of our website, if you choose to block them some aspects of the site may not work for you. Non necessary cookies are only set when you have given your explicit consent to their use. Such cookies included those set by our statistics package Google Analytics.

We use cookies to personalise content and ads, to provide social media features and to analyse our traffic. We also share information about your use of our site with our social media, advertising and analytics partners who may combine it with other information that you've provided to them or that they've collected from your use of their services.

More info
Football POPULAR SEARCH TERMS
3rd man run barca conditioned games control corners creating space cricket crossing defending dribbling first touch fitness football games goalkeeping heading overlap passing possession pre season search session plans shooting shooting drills soccer team sheet through the gate turning drills warm up warm ups
YOUR SESSION IS STARTING SOON... Join the growing community of soccer coaches plus 500+ drills and pro tools to make coaching easy.
LET'S DO IT