Third-Man Finishing | Wide Cutback Attack

Overview

• Players who want to learn the full sequence, from set piece all the way to the finish
• Players who want to nail the movement to get on the end of a cutback after wide play and score
• Players who want to build their decision-making and shooting as the third man in front of goal
• Players who want to sharpen their reads when several teammates are on the move together

Objectives

• Master the continuous attack that turns a set piece into a quick goal
• Dial in the timing and technique for getting on the end of a cutback
• Build calm, clinical finishing in front of goal
• Boost your team’s attacking punch through reps where several players move as one

Setup

Set this up around the penalty area: your players run a continuous attack off a set piece, several of them linking up until the third man gets on the end of a cutback to score. Rep this scene over and over.

1）The set-piece taker plays an accurate ball into a player inside the penalty box — at a height and pace that’s easy to take a first touch on.

2）The first receiver breaks quickly on a diagonal to get away from the defender and pushes the ball forward.

3）From there, they hold the ball out wide, drop back a touch, and slide a cutback to a teammate at the top of the box.

4）The player on the end of the cutback stays composed in front of goal and finishes — or wraps up the play.