Futbol Island

11v11 lesson · Create the next opening · Intermediate

Look Behind the Defenders

Find the teammate, then check the route. A cut-back is useful only when that pass is there.

What the coach says

  1. You’ve reached the side of the box. Take a quick look before sending the ball in.
  2. The defender follows the runner toward goal. Someone is waiting behind them.
  3. Which pass finds the teammate behind the defender?
  4. Pull the ball back to the waiting teammate. They can choose their next touch.
  5. The defender has followed the run toward goal, leaving the cut-back lane clear.
  6. Bring it back. Let’s see what changes when the defender chooses differently.
  7. The defender drops toward the cut-back this time. Don’t send the ball into them.
  8. What would you do from the side of the box now?
  9. Keep it with your support down the side. There’s no need to force a crowded cross.
  10. Find the teammate, then check the route. A cut-back is useful only when that pass is there.

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

    Which pass finds the teammate behind the defender?

    • Pass back to the waiting midfielder
    • Pass to the runner near goal

    Coach’s explanation: The defender has followed the run toward goal, leaving the cut-back lane clear.

  2. Question 2

    What would you do from the side of the box now?

    • Pass back to the inside midfielder
    • Pass to the support down the side

    Coach’s explanation: The defender is now in the cut-back lane. The supporting teammate offers a clear route to keep possession.

  3. Question 3

    True or false? The defender has dropped toward the cut-back, so pulling the ball back is still a good pass.

    • False
    • True

    Coach’s explanation: It's false. The defender now sits in the cut-back lane, so we keep it with our support.

  4. Question 4

    Put the cut-back in order, from first to last.

    • Defender follows the runner toward goal
    • Look up at the side of the box
    • Pull it back to the waiting teammate
    • The lane behind the defender opens

    Coach’s explanation: Look first, see the defender follow the run, and pull it back into the lane they left.

  5. Question 5

    The defender follows the runner, and the waiting teammate moved inside. Which pass creates the best chance?

    • Across to the runner near goal
    • Back down the side to your support
    • Cut-back to the waiting teammate

    Coach’s explanation: The defender went with the runner, so the cut-back lane to the teammate is clear.

Play it on the island