Finishing off the Side Cutback | 5-Player Attack vs. Defense Drill

Overview

• Field size: about one-third of a full field (roughly 40m wide by 30m long)
• Numbers: 5 players
• Breakdown: 2 attackers, 2 defenders, 1 keeper

Objectives

• Get players comfortable switching the ball wide, shifting the point of attack, and finishing off the cutback
• Build the read to spot gaps in the defense and time runs to arrive right on cue
• Sharpen weighted, accurate passing and cold-blooded finishing in front of goal at the same time
• Give players a taste of the fast, real-game speed of attacking and defending

Setup

The team in possession switches the ball wide fast, the winger cuts it back, and a runner arrives to finish. You’ll repeat that same sequence over and over.

1) The attacker on the ball dribbles wide to stretch the play. The defenders press while protecting the space in front of goal.

2) Once the wide attacker receives in a good spot, they cut it back toward goal. Getting the weight (pace) of the pass right and timing it to the runner is everything here.

3) An attacker arriving from the back post or the middle takes the cutback. They open their body quickly and finish with conviction.

4) When the play is done, the keeper puts a ball down and the next attack kicks off.