Three Training Games to Teach Forward Runs & Attacking Movement

One of the biggest differences between the top teams in world football and everyone else is their ability to get players ahead of the ball. In an era obsessed with positional structure and overloads in deep or wide areas, we’re seeing fewer players willing to make runs beyond the line without the ball. Yet, that forward movement is what creates unpredictability, verticality, and goals. In this week’s Modern Soccer Coach Breakdown, Gary Curneen dives into the importance of forward runs and shares three practical ways to coach them into your sessions and game model.

Watch the full episode below → Modern Soccer Coach YouTube Channel

Why Forward Runs Matter

1. They create depth and unbalance defenders.Modern defensive lines are incredibly compact. A single forward run can force centre-backs to drop, change shape, or open gaps for others. Even if the runner doesn’t receive the pass, the movement manipulates space for teammates.

2. They open space for the ball carrier.Central areas are more congested than ever. Forward runs draw markers away from the ball, freeing midfielders to progress or combine through the centre.

3. They change tempo.The hardest part of coaching possession football is blending control with penetration. Forward movement turns possession play into vertical play — breaking lines through both passes and runs.

   
   

Three Training Games to Coach Forward Runs

Game 1 – 6v6 + 1 Build-Up Breakout

A simple, dynamic setup that encourages midfielders to recognize when to drive through the thirds and support beyond the ball. As soon as the line is broken, players attack the final third at pace to overload and finish quickly.

Game 2 – 6v3 Rondo + Crossing Support

A possession build that transitions into a wide attack. The crosser is limited to two touches, forcing midfielders to arrive fast and anticipate. This creates urgency and teaches the timing of supporting runs.

Game 3 – 7v7 Three-Zone Game (Goals Reversed)

Designed to teach progression and transition simultaneously. Teams must break into the end zone with numbers and finish quickly, emphasizing recovery runs and attacking transition moments.

Key Coaching Points

• Encourage intentional forward movement — not just running for the sake of running.

• Use constraints (touch limits, directional triggers) to provoke runs, not commands.

• Reward timing and anticipation, not just the final action.

• Use video clips of elite midfielders like Bellingham, Musiala, or Pedri to connect behaviour to outcomes.

  
  

Continue the Learning...

If you enjoyed this breakdown and want:

• Full exercise diagrams and dimensions

• Additional forward-run variations

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