Futbol Island

11v11 lesson · Restart and time the run · Intermediate

Run When the Pass Is On

Run when the pass is on, and leave as it is played so you stay onside (Law 11). If the pass is blocked, check toward the ball first.

What the coach says

  1. You are the striker. Space behind the back line is useful only if your teammate can reach it.
  2. The midfielder has the ball, but an opponent screens the direct forward pass.
  3. Which movement gives this midfielder an available pass?
  4. Check diagonally, away from the screening opponent.
  5. The midfielder connects around the screen. You can help keep the attack moving.
  6. Return the ball. Look again before making the next run.
  7. The striker resets in front of the back line as the screening opponent moves left.
  8. The midfielder has a clear diagonal route into the left channel. Watch the moment of the pass.
  9. Which run attacks the open channel as the midfielder releases?
  10. Start as the midfielder releases. Meet the pass in the left channel.
  11. The striker receives beyond the line. The run and the pass have worked together.
  12. Check the route and your teammate before running. Connect when screened; attack the channel when the pass is on.

Quiz questions

Try to answer before you read the coach’s explanation. On the island you answer each one on the pitch.

  1. Question 1

    Which movement gives this midfielder an available pass?

    • Check diagonally toward the ball
    • Run straight behind the back line

    Coach’s explanation: The diagonal check opens a route around the screen. You give the midfielder a pass that can reach you now.

  2. Question 2

    Which run attacks the open channel as the midfielder releases?

    • Check back toward the ball again
    • Run diagonally into the left channel

    Coach’s explanation: Start from in front of the back line as the pass is released. The diagonal run meets the ball beyond the defenders.

  3. Question 3

    Put the striker's movements from this lesson in order, from first to last.

    • Connect around the screen
    • Pass is screened, so check away
    • Run as the midfielder releases
    • Screen moves left, the channel opens

    Coach’s explanation: Check away from the screen, connect, and only when the channel opens, run on the release.

  4. Question 4

    True or false? The striker should start the channel run as the midfielder releases the pass.

    • False
    • True

    Coach’s explanation: It's true. Running on the release keeps you onside and meets the ball in the channel.

  5. Question 5

    Now the screening opponent stands on the right. Tap where the striker should check to connect.

    • Check diagonally to the left
    • Check diagonally to the right
    • Run straight in behind

    Coach’s explanation: Checking away from the screen, to the left, opens a clear lane from the midfielder.

Play it on the island