The third man is an offensive pattern method taught in some of the schools that have the combination and cerebral game as a basic point. This combination is a connection between three players, when there is not an option to pass on the same line, but on the offensive line. Directly speaking, it is a connection between, mainly, the centre-forward and an insider(old football or modern football).

LW                     CF                     RW


LI                        RI

DM

The main example that can be given by this method is when there is a direct connection with centre-forward in a 4-3-3. On occasion, when the ball is with the DM, if both LI & RI are not free to receive the ball, the DM will pass directly to the CF who will try to hold the ball with his ball retention or would just drop deep to receive the ball and attract the opponent's defender.

LW                     CF                     RW
LI                          

                          RI

DM
Centre-forward makes the wall.

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LW                                            RW
CF
LI                          
                          RI

DM
Centre-forward drops deep.

With the direct connection performed, an insider would step forward to receive the quick centre-forward pass, thus causing a pattern that could eventually become a goal for the team; this is the third man — the LI in the examples above.