Rotations, when performed correctly by your team, should appear fluid and effortless. The image below displays the general rotation path one team undergoes to effectively maintain pressure and possession. However, perfectly executed rotations are difficult to consistently maintain and, while we should strive to always have perfect rotations, they are nearly impossible to execute consistently. So in the event your team loses possession due to a loose pass or mishit, you should know when to cut rotation to win back possession and maintain pressure, as well as quickly recover through effective communication with your team.

Cutting Rotation

I think everybody has had that experience in ranked when one of their teammates constantly cuts ahead of you to challenge the ball. While this is frustrating when solo queueing, when communicated effectively between your team, it can sometimes be advantageous to cut rotations. When cutting rotation, communication and speed are key. Cutting rotations involves the act of cutting in front of one of your teammate’s rotations with the knowledge that you can challenge the ball faster than your teammate could on their current rotation.

In most cases, the player cutting rotation will most likely do so because they know they can beat the opponent to the ball and maintain pressure. To reiterate, cutting rotation can only be advantageous when two things are true: when the player cutting rotation knows they can beat the opponent and the cut is communicated between your team. Otherwise, the cut in rotations is rendered ineffective. In the event it is not communicated, a double commit will most likely occur, leading to loss of possession and pressure.

Offensive Application: Cutting rotations should be used to maintain pressure and possession by beating your opponents to the ball from the side. The image above shows a deviation from standard rotation. In this instance, the player in rotation 1 has just challenged the ball and the player in rotation 3 recognizes that they can get to the ball faster than the player in rotation 2. Instead of continuing back, the player in rotation 3 cuts rotation and wins the ball, allowing the player in rotation 2 to adjust their course to challenge the ball and maintain pressure in the opposing half.

Commonly when trying to clear the ball, you wonder as the ball is taken off of you “where did he come from?” The most common explanation is that the challenging player cut rotation from the side to win back the ball for their team. Once you cut rotation, you should try you best to pass the ball or lob the ball into some area of space a teammate can run into to keep possession. This can not only waste the boost of an opponent who thought they were about to challenge the ball, but also, like stated earlier, it can maintain possession and pressure for your team when communicated effectively.

Defensive Application: Cutting rotation should be used the least near your own goal because in tense situations, cuts in rotations, when not communicated effectively, can lead to concession of possession and a goal. However, it does still have its practical use here as well. In one specific case, when the opponents are transitioning from their half to yours, a communicated cut in rotation can be very useful as it can break any mounting pressure in your half.

For instance, when an opponent is carrying the ball on top of their hood, in high level play, it is common for one player rotating back to cut their rotation and challenge the ball, forcing the opponent to flick the ball or make another move. This allows another one of your teammates to then move in and challenge an open ball rather than being forced to defend in an one-on-one situation.

Recovering from Cuts in Rotations

Recovering from a cut in rotation hinges mainly on communication. Generally, when one person cuts they become the third man, so you should never cut then challenge the ball again in succession. Rather cut, make your move on the ball, then let another teammate resume their rotation and challenge the subsequent ball. The person who cuts their rotation should move to the backmost position of rotation and let their teammates challenge the ball before challenging again. From there it is up to you and your teammates to communicate effectively to resume those established, fluid rotations. Remember communication is key so whether or not you are in comms or solo queueing remember to either voice out loud that you are cutting rotation or leave a quick “I got it!” in the chat to keep your teammates informed on how you will be cutting rotation.

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