As the game progresses as it certainly does - more skilled, faster players; high tech soccer balls; excellent playing surfaces all year - there are certain parts of the game taking on increasing importance.

Cut backs, where the ball is pulled back from the goal-line, have always been a good tactic catching defenders wrong-footed, but we are seeing more and more of it today. 

As players retreat back towards there own goal in and around the penalty area the space behind the attacking player is more readily available.  The difference today is that the ball is not always played as a diagonal ball across the penalty area, but is often played as a reverse vertical pass.

The ball is played - even back heeled - to the trailing attacker.

In a recent game in Spain, Guti of Real Madrid, cheekily back-heeled the ball to his rear supporting player, Benzema, leaving him with a relatively easy task of scoring.  See the goal here (link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-7xvNc2fYXM).

The reverse vertical pass and the back heel tend to freeze defenders or at the very least, off-balance them.

Here are some practice recommendations:

Younger Players:

• Players line up 15 yards from goal.  Coach slightly to side of goal 5 yards from goal rolls the ball to player at top of the line (so he doesn't get it hit by the ball, but he still better be on his/her toes).

• Player must first-time the shot at goal.

• Encourage players to go for accuracy not power.

• Suggest players get well over the ball to keep it down.

• Kick at ball half way up - not under it - to help keep it down.

Older players:

The Guti

• 2 vs. 2 inside the area with two supporting players outside the area.

• Offside rule applies.

• Coach plays into the two who can combine to penetrate and shoot.

• Or they can play it back to one of the players on the outside for a first-time shot.

• Players on outside must either shoot first time or they can control it and play back into the two inside the box.

• Encourage the two "box" attackers to work off one another to create space to receive the ball.

• And foremost attackers know there is always a rear supporting player and a Guti-style back-heel is worth experimenting with.

The Reverse Vertical Pass

• Server starts 2 or 3 yards from the 6-yard box close to the goal-line.

• He/she touches the ball and on the 2nd or 3rd (maximum) touch plays the vertical pass from just inside the 6-yard box.

• Goalkeeper positions at the Near Post (as they would in a game in this situation).

• The line of 3 or (maximum) 4 attackers starts outside the penalty area.

• Have another practice going to avoid a long line and rotate the squad in and out.