3rd Man in the Pocket

Improve a striker's ability to hold up the ball under pressure, maintain possession, and link play effectively.

In these training activities focused on second balls, the process involves: • Playing the second ball after it drops. • Making combinations to get players on different lines in the midfield. • Chipping the ball to the opposite side in a way that makes it messy and requires collecting after a bounce. • Exchanging passes in the midfield, described as being like exit passes and transition. • Picking up the second ball after a long pass, exchanging some passes, and getting out to the other side.