These animations show several players making third man runs; in actual fact it might be only one making this run in behind and the passer has to “spot” that run.. This is an extended version.

1. 3rd Man Run Rotations
shown through
Animation
Opponents defend HIGH;
we attack BEHIND them

2. 1. Of course opponents will track back / make recovery runs to pick up the forward
runs in behind; and so its not quite as simple as shown; but you get the idea
from these animations.
2. Its all about the “angle and timing” of the “pass” and the angle and timing of the
“forward runs” to remain ONSIDE.
3. The cues / signals for the forward runs in practice are; the ball is passed
backwards in the middle and attacking thirds.
4. This “conditions” the players minds to think, “back pass / forward run”.
5. We must support the receiving player “in behind” to then set up the forward
pass. So; support behind and then support in front.
6. These animations show several players making third man runs; in actual fact it
might be only one making this run in behind and the passer has to “spot” that
run..
7. What we are trying to show is almost any player can make these third man runs
if they have defensive cover.

3. Third Man Runs: Opponents defending HIGH, so we need to make runs in behind them
2
3
8
When the ball is played “back” that is the signal / cue for players to make forward runs. (7) gets in.
10
Here the run is made
from “in front” of the ball
6
Late runs so
remaining Onside
Zone 14
9
Inside
Left
Inside
Right
11
7
Wing backs distract
opponents' fullbacks
Winger (7)

4. 2
3
8
forward runs from deep positions are harder to pick up and for opponents to track. Here (11) gets in behind
10
Here the run is made
from “behind” the ball
6
Diagonal pass and a
Straight run
9
Third Man Runs: Opponents defending HIGH, so we need to make runs in behind them
Zone 14
Inside
Left
Inside
Right
11
7
Winger (11)

5. Third Man Runs in behind opponents back four
2
11
8
Wing back (3) makes the third man run from deep. (11) cuts inside to distract the opponent's right fullback
10
Here the run is made
from “behind” the ball
3
9
7
Zone 14
Diagonal pass and
diagonal run
6
Inside
Left
Inside
Right
Wingback (3)

6. 7
8
Wing back (2) makes the third man run, (7) Distracts the opponents left fullback
Here the run is made
from “in front” of the ball
6
Several passes in
the build up
11
3
9
Third Man Runs in behind opponents back four
Zone 14
Inside
Left
Inside
Right
2
10
Wingback (2)

7. Third Man Runs in behind opponents back four
2
11
8
Shadow Striker (10) makes a third man run from deep
Here the run is made
from “behind” the ball
6
Zone 14
Straight pass and
diagonal run
10
9
Inside
Left
Inside
Right
7
3
Shadow
Striker (10)
Note: Our Defenders push up
VERY quickly to leave opponents
offside should there be a counter

8. Third Man Runs in behind opponents back four
2
11
Center Midfielder (8) makes the third man run from (10)s pass
Here the run is made
from “behind” the ball
6
Zone 14
Diagonal pass /
Straight run
10
9
Inside
Left
Inside
Right
7
3
Center
midfielder (8)
8

9. 2
11
8
(6) Starts and finishes the move with a third man run from very deep
10
Here the run is made
from “behind” the ball
More difficult to
pick up a run from
this deep
6
3
Third Man Runs in behind opponents back four
Zone 14
9
Inside
Left
Inside
Right
7
Defensive
Midfielder (6)

10. Here opponents defend VERY HIGH almost inviting third man runs in behind them
2
11
8
Shadow Striker (10); Striker (9) Winger (7) and wingback (3) make third man runs in behind so (8) has options
Here the run is made
from “behind” the ball
6
Zone 14
Diagonal pass and
diagonal run
10
9
Inside
Left
Inside
Right
7
3
Best case scenario
with 4 players making
the runs
Shadow
Striker (10)

11. Even center backs can make third man runs from deep
11
Center back (4) a straight late and fast run from deep
Here the run is made
from “behind” the ball
6
Zone 14
Diagonal pass and
straight run
10
9
Inside
Left
Inside
Right
7
3
Best case scenario
with 4 players making
the runs
4
5
Center back (4)
8
2

12. Winger (7) makes a diagonal inverted run outside to inside
Zone 14
Inside
Left
Inside
Right
Now an 11 v 11 example
11
6
10
9
7
3
4
2
5
8
Winger (7)
Note: Our Defenders push up
VERY quickly to leave opponents
offside should there be a counter

13. Center back (4) makes the forward run from deep
Zone 14
Note: Our Defenders push up
VERY quickly to leave opponents
offside should there be a counter
Inside
Left
Inside
Right
Now an 11 v 11 example
11
6
10
9
7
3
4
2
5
8
Center back (4)