¶ Drill 12: Line-cutting Drill (without thrower)
Skills Focussed:
CUTTING: Dump-cut (3.5)
MARKING: Person to person handler (4.2.1.1)
Other skills for which drill can be used: GENERAL: Fakes (3.11)
Concepts to know before doing the drill:
- Basic cutting and marking knowledge
Drill Focus:
- Develop offensive players’ ability to create separation using two threats (under & deep) and teach defenders to stay balanced and react effectively.
Set-up:
- Players per group: 6–10
- Cones: 4 cones in a straight line with 2m – 10m – 2m spacing
- Roles: 1 runner (offense) and 1 defender per rep
- Players start on opposite sides of the line and may choose their starting spot."
Drill Flow:
- Runner fakes between the inner 10m zone using short movements.
- At any moment, he may explode towards either outer cone.
- If he reaches the outer cone before the defender reaches the inner cone on that side (2m lead), the runner wins.
- Otherwise, the defender wins.
- After each attempt, a new pair steps in.
Coaching Points:
Offense:
- Maintain two threats (in-cut & deep).
- Use long cuts to force the defender into full speed (where they are vulnerable).
- Use jab steps and body fakes to throw the defender off-balance.
Defense:
- Stay low, use small steps, and stay balanced.
- Open stride only when the offense goes full speed.
- Cut off options early by anticipating the offensive fake.
Progression/Regression:
P: - Increase all distances by 50% for cutter training (3m lead to win).
- Remove the “opposite side” constraint, allowing defenders to body up and force direction.
P: Line cutting drill with thrower
- Use only the inner 10m zone (outer cones removed)
- Add a thrower+marker 10m perpendicular to the line, forcing straight away from line.
- The runner has to break and catch the leading pass from the thrower. The defenders try to stop this.
Source: Page 110 & 111 UTM