Cutback Finish

Objective

• -Get to the byline
• -Pull the ball back into danger
• -Finish from inside the area

Setup

1. 1Mark a wide channel down one side of a 32 x 22 yard area.
2. 2Place a mini goal or cone finish area near the top of the box zone.
3. 3Set two attacker queues, one wide and one central.

How to play

1. 1A wide player dribbles to the byline and looks to cut the ball back.
2. 2A central runner times a run into the cutback zone to finish.
3. 3A second attacker can arrive late for rebounds or a second ball.
4. 4After the attack, players rotate to different queues.
5. 5Repeat from the other side to build balance.

Progressions

• +Switch To Score: two switches before scoring
• +Five Second Counter-Press: three seconds to win it back
• +Target Zone Bonus: only goals started from a pocket count
• +Add a competitive scoreline for the last round

Regressions

• -Switch To Score: switch earns a bonus point rather than being compulsory
• -Five Second Counter-Press: eight seconds and fewer opponents
• -Target Zone Bonus: widen the pocket zones
• -Simplify the area or the service until success returns

Variations

• -Switch To Score — A goal only counts after the ball has been switched from one side of the pitch to the other.
• -Five Second Counter-Press — On losing the ball the team has five seconds to win it back before dropping into shape.
• -Target Zone Bonus — Extra points for playing into marked pockets between the lines before finishing.
• -Overload Rotation — One team plays with an extra player for two minutes then the overload rotates.
• -Restart Realism — All restarts are played as in a match — throw-ins, goal kicks and corners rather than a coach ball.
• -Two-Goal Decision — Each team attacks two small goals, so defenders must decide which threat to cover.
• -Limited Touch Build-Up — Maximum three touches in your own half, unlimited once you pass the halfway line.
• -Flip the practice to the opposite side of the pitch

Common mistakes

• -Crossing from the wrong area
• -Early runs into crowded space
• -Poor support for the second ball