Futbol Island

Futsal lesson · Intermediate

Corner: Read the Cutback

Choose a corner delivery from the defender’s position, then read the next pressing movement.

What the coach says

  1. Prepare the corner before the four-second count. Look at the defenders: a near-post run can create a cutback even when the runner is not free.
  2. The near-post defender stays with the pivot. The fixo offers a deeper delivery while the far ala occupies the opposite defender.
  3. The near-post runner is marked. Which delivery uses a different depth?
  4. The corner reaches the deeper player. The taker steps back onto court and offers another angle; the near-post runner stays active.
  5. The outside defender steps towards the deeper receiver. The far-side lane remains outside that pressure.
  6. Pressure has followed the cutback. Which continuation reaches the opposite side?
  7. The ball moves to the far side. The taker offers width, the pivot shifts across goal, and the fixo stays behind the ball to protect a turnover.

Quiz questions

Try to answer before you read the coach’s explanation. On the island you answer each one on the pitch.

  1. Question 1

    The near-post runner is marked. Which delivery uses a different depth?

    • Deliver back to the cutback player
    • Deliver to the near-post runner

    Coach’s explanation: The deeper receiver is outside the near-post marking. Deliver into that angle while the far ala holds the opposite defender.

  2. Question 2

    Pressure has followed the cutback. Which continuation reaches the opposite side?

    • Pass to the far ala
    • Pass to the near-post pivot

    Coach’s explanation: The press moved towards you. The far ala remains outside it and can receive with a new angle on goal.

  3. Question 3

    The near-post runner is marked. Tap where the FIXO waits for the corner.

    • At the far post
    • Crowding the near post
    • Deeper, out from the goal

    Coach’s explanation: The FIXO waits deeper, so the corner can go to a different depth.

  4. Question 4

    The FIXO has the ball. What does the outside defender do next?

    • Runs to mark the far ALA
    • Stays glued to the near post
    • Steps out to press the FIXO

    Coach’s explanation: The defender steps out to the FIXO, and that leaves the far side open.

  5. Question 5

    Now a defender blocks the far side. Which pass is open?

    • Pass to the far ALA
    • Pass to the near-post PIVOT
    • Pass to the taker by the line

    Coach’s explanation: The taker stepped back on court, and nobody blocks that lane.

Play it on the island