Defending cut-backs
Defenders practise protecting the penalty spot area from cut-backs while a winger attacks the byline. Cut-backs cause more goals than high crosses at most levels.
Your assistant coach: turn this drill into a full session, plan the weeks around it and tell me how it went.
Set-up
- Winger with the ball wide; two or three attackers arriving.
- Two or three defenders and a keeper.
Equipment: Goal, cones, bibs, balls
How it works
- Winger dribbles to the byline.
- Defenders drop to protect the penalty spot and near post, not just the six-yard box.
- Clear or win it; rotate.
Coaching points
- Don't all run to the goal line.
- Someone screens the penalty spot.
- Block the cut-back lane with your body.
Add this drill to a session plan โ
Make it easier
- Two attackers
Make it harder
- Four attackers arriving
AttackersDefendersKeeper / neutral- - โ Passโ Runใฐโ Dribble
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More defending drills
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See the drill โ2v2 cover and balance
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See the drill โBack line shifting with the ball
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See the drill โDefending crosses in the box
Wide players cross from both sides while two or three defenders and the keeper deal with two attackers in the box. Teaches body position, marking and clearing wide.
See the drill โRecovery runs: get goal-side
The attacker gets a head start and the defender must recover goal-side before they can shoot. Teaches the sprint back that turns a chance into a tackle.
See the drill โJockeying in pairs
The attacker dribbles slowly from side to side down a channel and the defender jockeys backwards, staying side-on and close. Builds the footwork for 1v1 defending without the pressure of a tackle.
See the drill โ