Crossing and Finishing
- Jason Webber
- Mar 7
- 2 min read
Crossing is a finishing technique that allows teams to attack from wide areas, stretch the opposition defense, and create scoring opportunities. Did you know there are several ways to cross the ball, and each has its purpose?
The "Whipped" Cross
This is a fast, powerful cross driven into the box. It's harder to defend because it arrives quickly, giving defenders less time to react. A first-time whipped cross, where the player kicks the ball immediately upon receiving it, can be particularly effective.
The "Hung" Cross
This is a slower, higher cross where the ball hangs in the air. It's perfect for taller players who can jump and head the ball into the net. This type of cross also allows for clever movement in the box, with players dragging defenders away before the ball is floated over them.
The "Half-Space" Cross
This cross comes from the area just outside the penalty box, between the center and the wing, known as the half space. It's a sneaky way to create chances against well organized defenses, often catching defenders off guard. It relies on quick movement and players making late runs into the box.
Key Tactical Movements
We can use specific movements to make our crosses more effective.
Creating Space
Wingers and wing-backs often play a quick one-two pass to get into a crossing position. They might run behind the defense to stay onside before receiving the ball.
Decoy Runs
Players make runs to distract defenders, opening up space for other teammates to attack the cross. For example, one player might run to the near post, drawing defenders away, while another attacks the far post.
Late Runs
Players time their runs into the box so they arrive just as the cross is delivered. This makes it harder for defenders to track them.
Practice Makes Perfect
To improve our crossing and finishing, we need to learn and practice these techniques to perfect our individual and team skills. This article, and the additional resources, is the learning part of this process. Each week we will practice one type of cross (hung, whipped, etc.) with teammates making runs and finishing crosses from different areas. We expect to see these techniques applied in games, and success will not happen immediately so trying, failing, and learning is the fastest way to enhance the practice to get to perfection.
Why This Matters
We need to add new dimensions to our attack and rely on professional teams to show us how it can be done. By understanding these crossing tactics, we can appreciate the complexity of the game and how teams work to create scoring opportunities. Whether it's a perfectly placed "hung" cross or a lightning-fast "whipped" delivery, crossing remains a vital part of modern soccer and we want to incorporate this into our game.
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