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Free activity · 100 Possession Activities

Run on the Touch

By Gabe Ramos · U.S. Soccer Coach Educator · Updated October 2026

A passer and a runner on a 20x15 with a mini goal. The runner goes the moment the passer’s first touch is played forward, the through ball goes into the runner’s path, and the finish goes into the mini goal. Run on the touch, not on the pass.

Setup

A 20x15 with a mini goal. A passer and a runner. Three sets working at once.

How it works

• The runner goes the moment the passer's first touch is played forward.
• Through ball into the runner's path; finish in the mini goal.
• Swap roles each go.

Scoring

Ten balls; count finishes.

Make it easier or harder

• Progression 1: A cone defender the runner must go around.
• Progression 2: A live defender who starts level with the runner.

Coach’s notes

• If It Stalls: Runs too early? The runner starts behind the passer for a round.

Why it works

Offside is a timing problem, and this is where the timing gets fixed. The trigger is the passer’s forward touch, which is a full second earlier than most young players start their run.

Bend the run so the runner stays on the passer’s eyes. A straight run behind the passer’s shoulder is a run the passer cannot see.

Where it sits

This is activity 71 of 100 in 100 Possession Activities (Theme 8 · Timing of Runs and Playing Forward). The book is ten themes of ten rungs each, from a 3v1 square to a full 9v9 transition game, and every activity has its setup, rules, scoring, two progressions, three coaching points and an animated video like the one above.

All timing of runs drills ›