5v5+2 Two-Touch Possession with Third-Man Bonus
5v5 keep-ball with two inside neutrals and a two-touch limit. Six passes score one point; a third-man combination through a neutral scores two.
- Age
- U13–Senior
- Players
- 12–14
- Duration
- 16 min
- Difficulty
- Advanced
- Intensity
- Medium
- Area
- 30 × 25 m
- Type
- Tactical
- Approach
- Global
- Format
- Possession game
- Objectives
- Technical: Passing, Receiving / first touch
- Tactical: Ball possession, Combination play
- Concepts worked on
- Technical:Directional first touch
- Tactical:Ball retentionThird-man runSupport playScanning
Training diagram
Legend
- Attacker
- Defender
- Neutral / support
- Pass
- Run without ball
- Ball
- Cone
The two-touch limit forces players to prepare the next action before the ball arrives. The bonus rewards the third-man combination: a player passes into a neutral, who plays first time to a third player already moving into space. It teaches players to think one pass ahead and to move before the ball is played to them.
Objective
Circulate the ball at two touches and use third-man combinations through the neutrals to escape pressure.
Organisation
- 30 × 25 m area.
- Two teams of five (or six) and two neutrals in a different colour who play inside.
- Balls around the area.
How it works
- The team in possession plays with both neutrals (7v5). Everyone has a maximum of two touches; neutrals one touch.
- Six passes in a row score one point.
- Third-man bonus: player A passes to a neutral, who plays first time to player C (not back to A) — two points.
- Neutrals cannot pass to each other.
- 4 × 4 minutes with 1 minute rest.
Coaching points
- Third player: start your run when the ball travels to the neutral, not when the neutral receives it.
- Neutral: check your shoulder before the ball arrives so you know where the third player is.
- First touch away from the nearest defender so the second touch can be a pass.
- Keep distances of 8–10 m: too close and one defender covers two players.
Progressions
- One touch for the neutrals and one-touch finish of the combination.
- Neutrals may only play forward passes to score the bonus.
Regressions
- Three touches for team players.
- One neutral plays on the outside line.
Variations
- Instead of neutrals, the bonus counts for any third-man combination between teammates.
Key principles
- Think one pass ahead.
- Move before the ball.
- Prepare with the first touch.
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