What is a third-man run?
A third-man run is a passing move involving three players. The first plays into a second, who lays the ball off first time to a third player who is already running. It gets the ball to a teammate the first passer couldn't reach directly.
In this film
The impossible pass
Our 7 is marked and the passing lane is blocked. Two seconds later, the 7 is clean through on goal. That's the third-man run.
First man, second man, third man
- The first man, our 6, has the ball and wants to find the 7, but the lane is blocked.
- The second man, our 9, drops deep and drags a centre-back along. The 6 fires it into the 9's feet. With a defender tight behind, the 9 can't turn, so the 9 lays it off first time.
- The third man, our 7, is already sprinting through and meets the ball in stride.
Third-man run vs a one-two
A third-man run isn't a one-two. In a one-two, the first passer gets the ball back. In a third-man run, the ball goes to a third player who hasn't touched it yet.
Why the third-man run is so hard to defend
Attention. When the ball goes into the 9, every defender looks at the ball. The 7 is on their blind side.
Timing. The 7 starts running while the ball is still travelling, so by the time defenders react, the 7 has gone.
Where you'll see a third-man run
It's everywhere once you know to look for it. A full-back plays inside to a midfielder, who flicks it round the corner for the winger running in behind. Or a player with their back to goal finds one facing forward.
It pairs naturally with a false 9, who drops deep, draws a centre-back and sets the ball for a runner.
How to stop a third-man run
Discipline. If you're marking the third man, don't ball-watch. Stay with your runner, or pass the runner on to a teammate out loud and early. Lose them for a second and they're through.
Common questions
What is the difference between a third-man run and a one-two?
In a one-two, the first passer gets the ball back. In a third-man run, the ball goes to a third player who hasn't touched it yet.
Is a third-man run the same as a third-man combination?
Yes, they describe the same pattern. 'Combination' refers to the passes and 'run' refers to the movement of the third player.
Can the third man be offside?
Yes. The third man has to be onside at the moment the second man plays the ball, so the run has to be timed to that pass.
How do you defend a third-man run?
Don't ball-watch. Stay with your runner, or pass the runner on to a teammate out loud and early.
Why is it called a third-man run?
Because the move is counted in players: the first man passes, the second man lays it off, and the third man runs on to it.
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