Third Man Ball Crossing Drill

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Step 1 Step 1

Step 2 Step 2

Step 3 Step 3

Step 4 Step 4

Step 5 Step 5

Step 6 Step 6

Steps:

1. Start off with one player at the 6-yard box with a ball at their feet, one player behind each of the cones, and two players in the center of the field even with the cones.
2. To start play, the player with the ball is going to play a long ball to one of the players standing in the center between the two cones. While the ball is being played, the left midfielder is making a run away from the player who is receiving the ball.
3. Once the player receives the ball, the left midfielder checks back toward the player with the ball. The player with the ball passes the ball to the left midfielder checking toward the ball.
4. Once the left midfielder receives the ball, they will then play a one touch pass back to that player that just passed it. Meanwhile, the other player in the center is making an overlapping run around the outside of the left midfielder, the player on the right side of the field starts making a run into the corner, and the player standing at the 6-yard box is going to start making a run to the top of the 18-yard box.
5. The player that now has the ball in the center of the field is going to play a long diagonal ball into the corner for the player that was making the overlapping run to run on to. Meanwhile, the left midfielder starts making a run toward the opposite side of the 18-yard box.
6. Once the player making the overlapping run receives the ball they should dribble the ball toward the endline. The player that played the long ball into the corner will now make a run toward the top of the 18-yard box. The player at the corner of the 18 yard box will make a run toward the near post, the player at the top of the 18-yard box will make a run toward the penalty spot, and the player on the far right side of the field will make a far post run.
7. Once the ball is crossed and the players have made their appropriate runs, finish with an attempt on goal.

Setup:

• 6 Players (5 offensive, 1 Goalkeeper)
• Two cones set up 10 yards from midfield on both the left and right side.

Tips:

• Make sure the players making the runs toward goal time their runs appropriately so they are not standing around waiting for the cross.