There are a lot of terms and slang used in football, one of which is cutback. This refers to an action taken by the ball carrier that changes the direction of the play.
In football, a cutback is an abrupt change of direction made by the ball carrier from one direction to the other.
Our article will discuss what a cutback looks like on the football field and why it can be effective. We will also discuss similar topics, such as the counterattack.
A Better Understanding of the Budget Cuts
Football cutbacks are not part of the running play design. Instead, the ball carrier makes the decision if he or she believes the defense is opening up.
When the ball is being run toward a side of the field, all players will begin to move towards that side.
Usually, this results in a tackle, but it can also leave the far side of the field unprotected. A running back or wide receiver can sometimes cut all the way across the field for a big gain.
A play with a cutback from the halfback (HB) is shown above. On this rush, the running back was supposed to run outside the tight end.
When the FS approaches the ball carrier, he realizes he will be tackled. At this point, the ball carrier performs a cutback and runs to the left side of the field.
Because of the movement to start the play, most defenders will have already moved to the right side of the field, potentially resulting in a large play.
It is possible to be tackled for loss when cutting back across the field like this.
For a large part of the run, the ball carrier will be behind the line of scrimmage. If a defensive player can seal the edge or anticipate the cutback, the opportunity is there.
Cutbacks vs Counter Plays
Football doesn’t have cutbacks, but there are some plays that are quite similar.
A counter play is a type of play that is similar to a cutback. A counter play involves the running back faking that he is about to run one way before running the other way.
In a counter run, the defense is moved in the wrong direction by the fake.
On the other side of the field, this will allow offensive players to find open space.
In contrast to cutbacks, counter runs feature a less dramatic cut across the field.
A rushing play involves a step or two in one direction, followed by a cutback to the other side of the field, while a cutback involves a player running the full width of the field.
Conclusion
In football, cutbacks occur when a ball carrier suddenly changes direction and cuts across the field laterally.
Running plays are the most common use of cutbacks, but receivers and kick/punt returners can also make them.
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