Low cutback, return, shot and rebound with a finisher
A wide server plays a low cutback that the keeper must secure; still on the ground he returns it to the central server, who shoots at goal. If the keeper parries, a finisher pounces on the loose ball.
Step 1Centro atrás raso
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El servidor de banda pone un centro atrás raso; el portero se lanza y asegura el balón.
Objective
Secure the low cutback with a clean catch, recover the shooting line quickly and react to the shot without anticipating its direction, punishing soft parries into the middle.
Organisation
Penalty area with the full-size goal. One keeper. A wide server near the byline with balls, a central server on the edge of the box with balls and a finisher inside the area ready for the rebound. A cone marks the spot from which the wide server plays the cutback.
Development
- 1The wide server plays a low cutback towards the near-post zone and the six-yard box.
- 2The keeper moves laterally, goes down and secures the ball with a catch; winning the ball is the priority.
- 3Still on the ground, he rolls the ball back to the central server.
- 4The central server shoots first time while the keeper recovers his set position and the shooting line.
- 5If the keeper parries, the finisher attacks the loose ball and shoots; the keeper must react to the second action.
- 6Sets of six repetitions alternating the side of the cutback; built-in progressions: the wide server cuts the ball directly back to the central server to shoot, or tries to squeeze the ball in at the near post so the keeper has to decide.
Coaching points4
- Make sure of the initial catch on the cutback: ball into the chest, no rebounds.
- Get up on the ball side and recover the shooting line with quick steps; arrive set before the strike.
- React to the shot, do not guess: hands in front and weight on the balls of the feet.
- Always parry outwards and away from the finisher's zone.
Common mistakes3
- Fumbling the cutback and giving away a loose ball before the shot.
- Returning the ball to the server and staying down or getting up late.
- Anticipating the side of the shot and being beaten on the other.
Variations3
- Start with a volley into the hands and then get the keeper into a dive.
- The wide server switches between a low cutback and a mid-height cross without warning.
- Two central servers: whoever receives the return shoots.
Progressions2
- The wide server plays straight to the central server for an immediate shot without the catching phase.
- The wide server tries to score at the near post: the keeper chooses between catching and blocking.
Regressions2
- Slow cutback and half-pace shot from the server.
- No finisher: only catch, return and shot.
Tips
- Check the quality of the cutbacks: if they arrive badly, the exercise loses its purpose.
- Ask the finisher to wait outside the shooting line until the parry happens.