Attacking Combination Play: Passing & Finishing Drill

Breaking down a compact, organized defense is one of the hardest challenges in modern soccer. When the opposition parks the bus, relying on crosses from the wings isn’t always enough. You need quick, central attacking combination play to slice through their backline.

This soccer passing and finishing drill is designed to teach your midfielders and attackers how to link up in the center of the pitch. By focusing on quick one-twos, third-man runs, and clinical finishing, this session will train your players to exploit the tightest spaces around the penalty box.

(Before jumping into this drill, make sure your players are properly warmed up with a foundational passing exercise. Check out our warm-up drills to get their feet moving first.)

Watch the Drill in Action

Seeing the timing of the runs is just as important as reading the diagram. Watch the full breakdown of this passing and finishing combination below to see exactly how the speed of play should look on the training pitch.

Why Attacking Combination Play is Crucial

In the final third, space and time are your biggest enemies. The longer your players hold onto the ball, the easier it is for defenders to recover. Training your team to use rapid, one-touch passing combinations forces defenders to turn their heads and pulls them out of position, creating the perfect gap for a deadly through-ball and a clean shot on goal.

Drill Setup & Requirements

This drill focuses on attacking combinations that culminate in central finishing opportunities. To ensure your players are comfortable attacking from all angles, practice these sequences from both the left and right sides of the pitch.

• Players Needed: 3 outfield players + 1 Goalkeeper.
• Equipment: 3 marker cones set up in a triangular formation outside the penalty area, a full-size goal, and a supply of soccer balls.
• Starting Positions: Position one player at each of the three cones.

Drill Breakdown: Passing and Finishing Variations

Below are the two main sequences for this drill. Start with Variation 1 to build the rhythm, and progress to Variation 2 to change the timing of the attacking run.

Variation 1: The Third-Man Run & 1v1 Finish

This variation focuses on quick wall passes and an explosive third-man run to break the defensive line.

• The Passing Sequence: Player 1 (outside cone) initiates the drill by passing the ball to Player 2 (central cone). Player 2 passes immediately back to Player 1. Player 1 then hits a one-touch pass across to Player 3 (far cone). Player 3 passes back to Player 2 and immediately makes a bursting run forward. Player 2 weights the final through-ball into Player 3’s path.
• Movement and Finishing: Player 3 receives the final pass in a 1v1 situation against the goalkeeper. Depending on the goalkeeper’s positioning, Player 3 must make a split-second decision:
  • Shoot from Distance: If the opportunity arises and the keeper stays back, strike early from outside the penalty area.
  • Dribble and Finish: If the keeper rushes out, dribble closer and attempt to beat them with a skillful move before finishing.
• Rotation: After the attempt on goal, players rotate positions clockwise: Player 3 becomes Player 1, Player 2 becomes Player 3, and Player 1 moves to the central cone.

Variation 2: The Delayed Run Combination

This progression changes the rhythm of the attack, teaching the final runner how to delay their movement to stay onside before accelerating into the box.

• The Passing Sequence: Player 1 (outside cone) initiates the drill by passing the ball to Player 2 (central cone). Player 2 controls the ball and passes it out to Player 3 (far cone).
• The Movement: Player 3 plays a long pass all the way back to Player 1. Instead of sprinting immediately, Player 3 starts to attack slowly forward, timing their run.
• The Finish: Player 1 passes to Player 2, who immediately slips the final through-ball into the path of the advancing Player 3 to conclude the action with a clinical finish.

Key Coaching Points for the Manager

To get the most out of this soccer passing and finishing drill, stop the session and enforce these specific habits:

• Weight and Pace of the Pass: The initial pass into the striker must be hit with pace. A slow pass will be intercepted in a real match.
• Body Shape: The player receiving the lay-off must have their hips open and facing the goal so they can see the final run.
• Timing of the Run: The goalscorer must time their run perfectly so they do not arrive in the box before the ball is played.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

For more specific drills about finishing and attacking combinations check or Library of Attacking Drills.