Wall passing with a third man running

Wall passing drill with players combining around mannequins as a third player runs through to shoot

This passing drill helps adult amateur teams practise wall passes, third-man movement and finishing by combining around a defensive line before releasing a runner towards goal.

Setup

Use one half of a football field. Arrange the cones and four mannequins as shown in the diagram, with two wall-passing zones and narrow lanes for the third-man runners.

Ideally, use a minimum of six players and one goalkeeper. If numbers are limited, the passing pattern can also be practised with three players and no goalkeeper.

Two players work around the mannequins while the third-man runner waits in one of the narrow lanes before making the run towards goal.

For the instructions below, call the starting player Player A, the wall-pass partner Player B and the third-man runner Player C. On each side, call the deeper mannequin the first mannequin and the mannequin nearest goal the second mannequin.

Equipment Needed

Rules & Instructions

Players A and B combine through the mannequins, then release Player C with the final pass.

  • Start Player C in the outside running lane.
  • Player A passes to Player B beside the first mannequin.
  • Player A runs beyond the first mannequin.
  • Player B returns the ball behind the first mannequin.
  • Player A receives the return pass beyond the first mannequin.
  • Player B moves forward towards the second mannequin.
  • Player A passes to Player B beside the second mannequin.
  • Player A runs beyond the second mannequin.
  • Player B returns the ball behind the second mannequin.
  • Player A receives the return pass beyond the second mannequin.
  • Player A passes back to Player B towards the first mannequin.
  • Player A runs around the second mannequin towards the centre.
  • Start Player C’s run towards goal.
  • Player B returns the ball to Player A between the mannequins.
  • Player A passes behind the second mannequin into the box.
  • Player C runs onto the final pass and shoots.
  • Limit every player to 2 touches.
  • Repeat with Player C starting from the interior lane.
  • Rotate positions after each completed sequence.
  • With 6 players, rotate left zone → runners → right zone → left zone.

Coaching Tips

  • Build speed only after the pattern is clean; rushing hides timing errors.
  • Correct the return pass if a teammate has to stop or stretch.
  • Delay Player C’s run until the combination reverses.
  • Check that Player A receives between the mannequins for the final pass.
  • Players should treat the mannequins as defenders and curve around them.
  • Use 2 touches to increase tempo without losing passing accuracy.
  • Rotate quickly to maximise repetitions and reduce waiting time.

Why It Works for Adult Amateur Teams

Wall passing gives players a simple combination for moving beyond defenders close to goal. Adding a third-man run develops the timing between the players combining around the defensive line and the runner attacking the space beyond it.

For adult amateur teams, the repeatable pattern makes passing accuracy, movement and coordination easy to observe and correct. Players can begin slowly, learn the sequence and then increase the intensity as their timing improves.

The final action also connects the combination directly to finishing, helping players practise the pass, run and shot as one attacking sequence.

Key Outcomes:

  • Better passing accuracy
  • Improved timing of passes and runs
  • Stronger team coordination
  • More accurate shooting

Get Involved

Keep the coaching ideas going

Subscribe for new drills and coaching notes, or follow along on social for regular session ideas and updates.

Related Posts

Block Movement Drill: 7v7 Game

Block Movement Drill: 7v7 Game

A 7v7 block movement drill that helps adult amateur teams stay connected, move up together, and react quickly when possession changes.