Making Finishing Runs

Making a finishing run means aligning oneself with the intent of producing a scoring play. Contributing to a scoring attempt can be done either directly or indirectly. If the runner has the intent of scoring by physically receiving the ball and shooting it, then he is directly involved. On the other hand, a player could make an indirect finishing run where he doesn't plan to contact the ball but for example sways an enemy defender away from the "active" zone.

General principles
The first principle of clearing is ensuring that the enemy has been depleted from contact with the ball. This in itself does not justify why a player may clear the ball. Clearing is used primarily in situations where no other (sensible) options are available to a particular player who is dealing with the ball. For example, if a defender with weak physique is pressured he may prefer to clear the ball rather than try shielding it. Other situations where it may be suitable to clear the ball are when the enemy team has gained momentum in an attack.

General Principles: Direct vs Indirect Runs

The most notable mark of a prolific finisher is his ability to read plays and inflict damage to a defense just with his positioning. An intelligent attacker should be able to initiate direct runs by placing himself into areas where the ball could eventually end up either by pass or deflection. This greatly increases his chances of scoring. A complete player should not only make direct runs for goal but must also be able to disturb enemy defenses by other means. With indirect runs, the attacker moves without the intent of contacting the ball. He simply distracts or dispositions the enemy defense thus creating opportunities for his teammates. Defining whether a run is direct or indirect can only be finalized after the play is over therefore one must position himself based on two more fundamental factors. These two are "attacking target points" and "manipulating defensive concentration."

Target points
These are aggressive runs based on moving players into an area where the chances of scoring would be increased. That usually means forcing the play regardless of the defensive opposition. For example, if the ball is on the flank, an attacker would run for the box where he could potentiality meet a crossed ball.

Enemy concentration
Opposite to direct runs, indirect runs are done with the intention of manipulating the enemy defenders (and goalkeeper.) That process itself may include drawing marking defenders into designated areas or positioning attackers into zones where they could distract or disturb the enemy defense.

Direct Runs

Piercing runs
One of the more instinctive finishing runs is the piercing run. In it, a player heads for the area behind the enemy defensive line where he is simultaneously served a (usually lofted) pass. There are many variations of this method, including quick combinations with wall or double passes. Regardless of the different improvisations, the major principle remains: an attacker is headed behind the enemy defensive line and the ball is provided to him.

Receiving crosses

Near post run
In an attack from the flank, the first player who reaches the enemy goal is typically expected to head for the "near post" of the enemy goal or the post that is closer to the ball carrier.

Far post run
The second target spot for incoming players during crossing attacks is the far post. Because the far post is on the opposite flank from the ball, players situated in it are harder to track for the enemy defenders. They would have to throw glances back and forth between the ball and the player. The far post run is usually executed after a preceding near post run because it has a higher chance of interception. Another quality of the far post run is that when supplemented with a near post run, it introduces a more challenging environment for the enemy defenders because it manipulates the direction of their attention.

Garbage runs
The so-called "garbage runs" are intended to position the attacker into a spot where the ball could potentially rebound or be deflected to. A player making such runs has the role of a "garbage man" because his job is to collect miss-hit clearances or deflected shots. Because defenders intuitively tend to initiate turnovers (or clearances) by directing the ball to the opposite side from which they were attacked, the garbage man must remain away from the crowded "action" zones when his team is attacking. Garbage men usually roam behind the first line of attackers. When the ball is in the middle, they stay centered behind it. If the ball is played to the flank, the garbage man typically drifts to the opposite side and slightly forward. Making garbage runs is usually the most indirect way of trying to score. Many players overlook initiating it simply because of this fact.

Indirect Runs

Pulling out defenders
When an attacker is tightly marked, he would be of little use to his team if he remains stationary. This principle is especially true if the marking defender has a physical advantage in winning first balls. There would be no need for the marked attacker to challenge his marker. He could simply make a run to the outside of the pitch or back towards his own goal. This would either take the defender out of the current play or free up the attacker. Consider that this tool can isolate or at least disposition a designated defender.

Attracting attention
Attracting attention simply means situating oneself into a spot where he would draw the consideration of enemy defenders (and goalkeeper.) When making near post runs on a cross, an attacker lures the surrounding defenders who are generally concentrated on the near side of the pitch. The player headed for the near post not only threatens to finish off the cross, but he also relieves the pressure off the far post thus providing a "clear" zone for a second attacker. On crosses, staying very close to the goalkeeper usually has the same effect, for it absorbs his attention or at least distracts him.

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