Third-man run

How it is used

Third man describes the combination's third participant, not a shirt number or gender requirement.

Example sentences

1. Her third-man run let the striker set the ball into her path.

   The middle player connects the original passer with the runner.

2. We rehearsed third-man runs to bypass a tightly marked midfielder.

   Indirect access helps reach a runner who lacks a direct passing route.

Common collocations

• make a third-man run
• third-player combination
• time a third-man run

Related terms

• passA kick, header or throw that sends the ball to a teammate. As a verb, to pass means to send the ball to a teammate in this way.
• through ballA forward pass played between or behind defenders into space, so that a teammate can run onto it and go through on goal.

More terms: Formations & Tactics

• formation
• line-up
• counter-attack
• possession
• pressing
• high line
• marking
• offside trap
• park the bus
• mid-block
• double pivot
• half-space