A combination that breaks the last line and finishes on goal, a staple of Pep Guardiola's Man City sessions. Played into the striker's feet, set first time, then slid in behind for the player who started the move, arriving on a third-man run.
Young (U5 to U8)Mid (U9 to U13)Older (U14 to U18)Passing & receivingShooting & finishingGoalkeeping
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In play
The setup
Step by step
1
Up
Up: play it into the striker's feet and set off. He has dropped off the last line, back to goal.
2
Back
Back: he can't turn, so he sets it first time to the supporting player.
3
Through
Through: that player slides it first time into the space behind the line, timed for the runner.
4
Finish
Finish: the first passer has run in behind the last man and finishes. The run starts the instant the first pass is played.
Numbers & rotation: Two lines: a 'play it in' line and a supporting line, and everyone rotates through all three roles. From the play-it-in line: pass into the striker’s feet, run in behind and finish, then join the supporting line. As the supporting player: take the set and play the through ball, then step in as the striker. As the striker: receive with your back to goal and set it first time, then join the back of the play-it-in line. Each go, every player shifts one role along, play-in to support to striker and round again.
Age group
Young (U5 to U8), Mid (U9 to U13), Older (U14 to U18)
Players
6 or more
Equipment
Cones
FA Four Corners: what this develops
Technical / TacticalPsychologicalPhysicalSocial
Objective
Combine quickly off a dropped striker and break the defensive line with a well-timed third-man run, finishing first time in behind. The runner sets off the instant the first pass is played, so he is beyond the last man before the defence can react.
Coaching points
Pass and run beyond, not pass and stop, the movement after the pass is what makes it work.
Time the run to start as the first pass is played, not after, the defender watches the ball, not the runner.
Weight the through ball into the space ahead of the runner so he can finish first time.
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