Soccer Crossing Guide

Many goals are scored off crosses, so this a vital skill to learn, especially if you are a winger. Crossing is simply passing the ball into the box (usually in the air) from the side of the pitch. The ball can then be finished by a header, volley, or shot at close range.

How to Cross a Soccer Ball

1. Take a touch

Touch the ball in front of you. You can either touch the ball inside or straight in-front. This touch should be fairly big so you can run onto it.

Run Towards the Ball

When you are preparing to cross, run at an oval shape. If you are on the right side, do a half circle to the right and move to the ball. This allows you to kick the ball straight on, instead of from the side.

Look up

You should have a basic understanding of where your players are. Looking up also helps you determine what type of cross you want to perform. For instance, if there is a player making a run to the near post without a defender on him, you should cross the ball hard and on the ground.

Look at the Bottom of the Ball

Most of the time, you want to cross the ball in the air. Look at the bottom of the ball the entire time you are crossing it. Imagine the ball going upwards.

Cross the Ball

Plant your place foot a little behind the ball and the bottom. You shouldn’t follow through throughly because you want to chip it. You want to have power on it, but not as much as a shot.

Watch Your Cross

Unlike a shot, there isn’t much reason to run to where you crossed it from. Be ready to receive a pass if the ball pops out, so you can recross it.

Soccer Crossing Tips

These tips will help you cross better.

Get Around the Ball

You need to wrap your foot and body around the ball. If you don’t do this you will kick the ball behind the goal or to the keeper at best.

Use Different types of Crosses

While most of the time you want to use a simple air cross to the head, a good crosser knows how to use other types of crosses.

Relax

Some players get scared before crossing. They don’t want to get embarrassed by crossing the ball out of bounds. If you relax, you have a much better change of making a good cross.

Try Crossing in Different Areas

Most of the time, people cross to the middle of the box. Try crossing to different areas if it’s on. For example, you could try crossing to the top of the box.