Cutback Finishing With Arrival Runs
A wide player dribbles to the byline and pulls the ball back; one runner attacks the near post and the other arrives late at the penalty spot to finish the cutback.
- Age
- U13–Senior
- Players
- 6–14
- Duration
- 15 min
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Intensity
- Medium
- Area
- 30 × 40 m
- Type
- Tactical
- Approach
- Intermediate
- Format
- Waves
- Objectives
- Technical: Finishing, Crossing
- Tactical: Combination play
- Concepts worked on
- Technical:CrossingShooting
- Tactical:Attacking the boxRuns in behind
Training diagram
Legend
- Attacker
- Goalkeeper
- Pass
- Run without ball
- Dribble
- Shot
- Ball
- Cone
- Goal
The cutback is one of the most effective chances in football because the finisher faces the goal and the defenders face their own goal. The key is two runs: one to the near post that drags the defence, and a late arrival to the cutback zone. Finish first time.
Objective
Finish cutbacks first time with coordinated near-post and late-arrival runs.
Organisation
- Goal and goalkeeper. A wide player with balls 33 m along the side of the box. Two runners 20–22 m from goal. Cutback zone marked around the penalty spot.
How it works
- Wide player dribbles to the byline between two cones and plays the cutback.
- Runner 1 attacks the near post; runner 2 arrives late into the cutback zone.
- Finish in one touch. Rotate roles; alternate sides.
Coaching points
- Wide player: look up before the pass; pass firmly on the ground, behind the near-post runner.
- Late runner: slow down, then accelerate into the zone as the ball is played.
- Side-foot finish, low, across the goalkeeper.
Progressions
- Add one defender who tracks the near-post runner.
Regressions
- The coach plays the cutback from a standing position.
Variations
- Finish with the weaker foot only.
Key principles
- Near post drags, late runner scores.
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