Attacking ideas · 11v11 4-3-3

Cut-backs: the best chance in football

A cut-back is a pass pulled back from near the byline to a team-mate arriving in the box. It's one of the best chances in football because the defenders are running towards their own goal and facing the wrong way, while the attacker arrives facing goal. Getting to the byline is half the job; the other half is having runners in the right spaces.

Step 1 of 3

Our winger is through to the byline. Now the runners.

Drawn for 11v11 4-3-3. Pick your own format and shape and every step is redrawn for your players. Then present it or send it to your team.

Step by step

Our winger is through to the byline. Now the runners.
Striker to the near post, pulling the centre-backs back. Our 8 arrives late around the penalty spot.
Cut it back along the ground into the late runner's path.

When to use it

Whenever a winger, full-back or 8 gets to the byline inside or near the box.

Coaching points

Get to the byline: beat the full-back or run in behind.
Near-post runner pulls the centre-backs towards goal.
A second runner arrives late around the penalty spot.
A third waits on the edge of the box for a cut-back further out.
Pass back across the ground, firm, into the space the runner is arriving into.

Who does what

Position	Their job
Byline player	Gets to the byline and picks the runner.
Near-post runner	Pulls the defenders back to goal.
Penalty-spot runner	Arrives late, facing goal.
Edge player	The safe cut-back and the shot from distance.

When they change it

If they…	You…
Their midfielder tracks the late runner	Cut back to the edge instead.
Their keeper comes out	Square it across the six-yard box.
They defend the cut-back	Cross to the far post instead.

Common mistakes

Everyone running to the six-yard box, nobody arriving late.
Lofting the cut-back instead of passing it along the ground.
The runner arriving too early and standing still.

At 7v7, 9v9 and 11v11

7v7: Winger to the byline, striker near post, midfielder arriving.
9v9: Winger or wing-back to the byline, two runners and one on the edge.
11v11: The board: winger to the byline, striker near post, 8 to the penalty spot, other 8 on the edge.

See the full 11v11 4-3-3 formation guide for the shape, positions and drills.

Drills to practise it

Cut-back finishing (pull-back to the spot)

U11 to adult · 6 to 14 plus a keeper

Open the drill →

4-3-3: byline and cut-back to the arriving eight

U11 to adult · 6 to 10 plus a keeper

Open the drill →

Defending cut-backs

U11 to adult · 8 to 12 plus a keeper

Open the drill →

Overlap, cross and finish

U10 to adult · 5 to 10 plus a keeper

Open the drill →

Cross and finish: near post, far post

U10 to adult · 8 to 14 plus a keeper

Open the drill →

Questions coaches ask

What is a cut-back?

A pass pulled back from near the byline to a team-mate arriving in the box.

Why are cut-backs so effective?

Defenders are running towards their own goal while the attacker arrives facing it.

Where should runners go for a cut-back?

Near post, the penalty spot area and the edge of the box.

More tactics boards

With the ball

Underlap

How the underlap works: a midfielder or full-back runs inside the winger into the gap between full-back and centre-back. When to use it and how to practise it.

Watch it →

With the ball

Overlap

How the overlap works: the wide player drives inside, the full-back runs round the outside, and the pass is released at the right moment. With roles and drills.

Watch it →