Finishing

Wide Channel Cutback Finish

Finish from cutbacks along the ground

Finishing
Crossing
Attacking
Premium

Wide Channel Cutback Finish is a 16-minute finishing drill for 5-18 players, suitable for Under 9 to Adults at beginner, intermediate, advanced level. You need balls, cones, full goals. Below you will find the objective, the set-up, how to run it, coaching points, common mistakes, progressions, regressions and variations.

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Finishing
Crossing
Attacking
Skill Practice
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
Full Squad
Youth Friendly
Adult Suitable
Goals Needed
Wide Play

Duration

16 min

Players

5-18

Pitch size

41 x 34 yards

Ability levels

Beginner / Intermediate / Advanced

Pitch diagram

Pitch set-up: Wide Channel Cutback FinishGKW123441 x 34 yards

Wide Channel Cutback Finish — Crossing and finishing — wide delivery into the box · 41 x 34 yards

Step 1 of 5Wide player drives to the byline and cuts the ball back.

  1. 1. Wide player drives to the byline and cuts the ball back.
  2. 2. Two runners attack the near post and penalty spot.
  3. 3. Alternate sides each rep.
  4. 4. The practice is started by a pass into one of the wide channels.
  5. 5. End actions only count when the ball has travelled through a wide channel first.
  • Cones mark the area
  • Full goal
  • GK = goalkeeper
  • Dashed lines = wide crossing channels
  • Ball
  • Solid arrow = pass, thick = shot, dashed = run / dribble

Objectives

  • -Finish from cutbacks along the ground
  • -Time the run to the penalty spot
  • -Improve first-time contact from wide service

Setup

  1. 1Wide starting cones with a marked cutback zone by the byline in a 41 x 34 yards area.
  2. 2Mark five-yard channels down both touchlines with flat cones.
  3. 3Balls in both wide areas, keeper in goal.

Coaching instructions

  1. 1Wide player drives to the byline and cuts the ball back.
  2. 2Two runners attack the near post and penalty spot.
  3. 3Alternate sides each rep.
  4. 4The practice is started by a pass into one of the wide channels.
  5. 5End actions only count when the ball has travelled through a wide channel first.

Coaching points

  • -Cut back behind the defensive line
  • -Runner delays then arrives
  • -Side-foot the finish, don't blast it
  • -Attack the outside shoulder and deliver early rather than over-dribbling

Common mistakes

  • -Runners arriving before the cross
  • -Cutbacks aimed at the keeper
  • -Everything funnelling into a crowded middle

Where this drill fits

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