3 Exercises To Improve Forward Runs

Forward movement in the final third is often discussed as an individual quality, but coaches can also design environments that repeatedly encourage players to recognize space, attack it at speed and arrive in goal-scoring positions. Rather than starting forwards close to goal and waiting for the ball to arrive, these three practices deliberately keep attacking players outside the final zone. The challenge then becomes recognizing the moment to break forward and attacking the space with intensity.

The timing of those movements is important. Players need to connect their run with what is happening around the ball: a wide player preparing to cross, a teammate finding space to play forward, or an overload creating an opportunity to penetrate. By manipulating space, numbers and touches, coaches can create practices where players are not simply told to make forward runs — the design of the exercise gives them a reason to do it.

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You can also find the three exercise breakdowns below:

Exercise 1: 6v6+2 – Attacking the Final Third

The first practice is a 6v6+2 game inside a 25x60 yard area split into 3 zones - with the majority of the possession taking place in the middle third. The final third begins empty, which creates space for attacking players to run into rather than having forwards permanently positioned close to goal.

The possession team can use the two wide players to help circulate the ball and create opportunities to progress. When a wide player receives higher up the field, players are encouraged to attack the final third and arrive for the cross. Alternatively, the possession team can penetrate centrally with a through ball and release runners into the space behind the defense.

There is no restriction on the number of attackers who can enter the final third. This is important because we want to encourage multiple forward runs rather than one player attacking while everyone else watches. The picture can therefore change quickly from controlled possession into an aggressive attack on goal.

Exercise 2: 6v3 Rondo into Crossing and Finishing

The second practice starts with a 6v3 rondo in a 20x20 yard central area. Outside that area there is a defender protecting the penalty area and two wide players positioned to deliver crosses. The possession team must complete approximately five or six passes before they can release the ball into a wide area. As soon as the ball travels wide, the emphasis changes immediately from possession to forward movement. Players must break out of the central area, get ahead of the ball and attack the penalty area.

A key detail is limiting the wide player to two touches: one touch to prepare the ball and one to deliver the cross. Without that restriction, the crosser can have too much time and the supporting players know they can arrive slowly. The two-touch limit creates urgency. As soon as the ball goes wide, the runners know the delivery is coming quickly and must accelerate forward to arrive in goal-scoring positions.

Exercise 3: 8v8+2 – Forward Runs from a Tactical Picture

The final practice expands the idea into a larger 8v8+2 tactical game inside a 40x50 yard area. The two neutral players operate as center backs to give the team in possession an overload during the build-up, while the final third again begins empty.

The attacking team circulates possession and looks for the right moment to penetrate. Once that opportunity appears, players are encouraged to make aggressive forward runs into the final third. Two defenders are allowed to recover into the area, while the attacking team can send unlimited players forward.

The larger format creates a more realistic tactical picture. Central players can move into wide channels, players can run beyond the ball, and deeper midfielders can arrive later to finish attacks. Although the exercise looks different from the previous two, the principle remains the same: create space ahead of the players and then challenge them to recognize the moment to attack it with speed, timing and purpose.