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205:. In this instance, it is easier to use the insole of the "outside" foot to deliver the cross. (For example, the right foot is the outside foot if playing on the right side of the field). For this reason, it is more common to see crosses from players playing on the same side of the field as their dominant foot (
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The "grounded cross" or "drilled cross" or "cutback" is a cross along the ground, and is one of the easiest ways to deliver the ball into the centre, especially when the attacking side is more adept technically and does not have a physical or aerial presence upfront. Typical tactics may involve pacy
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above the defenders towards a teammate, typically by slicing the bottom of the ball with the insole, or striking it against the ground to make it bounce. While the chipped cross takes the ball away from nearby defenders, it sacrifices momentum and results in slower delivery, allowing the defense to
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Depending on the intention and skill of the crosser, a cross can be a speculative way to create a half-chance by playing the ball into a dangerous area, or an accurate way to find a team-mate in a more central position, or something in between. In terms of tactics, the crosser can choose whether to
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As one of the most direct, basic ways of attacking the goal, the cross forms an integral part of wide-play, and allows the attacker to probe for positional weaknesses, stretch out the defence and initiate aerial duels in front of the goal. However, by virtue of it being a medium-to-long-range pass
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on the ball to evade defences. Attributes like pace, kicking technique and positional awareness are valuable when looking for good crossers. Similarly, good positioning, heading and volleying attributes and a physical presence allows the target of the cross to stave off defenders and react well to
186:, close to the opponent's goal. Awaiting in the box to receive the cross will be team-mates in the central positions, typically forwards. A successful cross from a winger gives a forward the opportunity to deflect the delivered ball towards the opposing goal. If the delivery is high, forwards may
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is on the left side of the pitch (or one who is left-footed and is on the right side of the pitch) and prefers to cross with the inside of the dominant foot. Commonly seen among set-plays (where the player can orient himself to kick with his dominant foot on the opposite flank), inswingers are
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Since the emergence of statistical analysis and strategic ideas like possession-based football and attacking fullbacks, crossing as a tactic has been slowly superseded, with questions on its inefficiency of possession and waning chance conversion ratio at the highest level. While still used
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initiate a cross from a deeper position (sacrificing angle for a quicker attack), or from a forward position (when the team-mate is more likely to be facing the goal, but may have more defenders around them). Similarly, the crosser can vary the height, speed and
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With "conventional" wingers (that is, wingers playing on the side of their dominant foot), this is the most commonly encountered cross. When directed infield with the insole of the dominant foot, the ball curves slightly away from the goal.
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towards the goal, with more favorable chances for deflections to result in a goal. On the other hand, the curl may also bring the ball closer to the goalkeeper, allowing them to more easily rush out and gather (or clear) the ball.
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This is a versatile weapon, as the curve can be used to take the ball away from defences and allow the attacker to run onto the ball, or it can be used as an aerial weapon, allowing for more accurately headed shots towards goal.
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Crosses are primarily used to create goal-scoring opportunities. Variations on the cross form an important repertoire of counter-attacking tactics. In particular, crosses are indispensable for players in wide positions, usually
329:), "naive" or "primitive" (and are contrasted with intricate passing and dribbling technique). Nevertheless, the cross remains a viable tactical option (especially when the attackers are superior in the air) and managers like
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from a wide area of the pitch towards the centre of the field near the opponent's goal. Specifically, the intention of a cross is to directly bring the ball into the box from an angle that allows the attacking
356:, tend to play the ball on the ground in order to retain possession, and are typically quick, technically gifted, creative and agile, thus bearing similarities with players who were formerly deployed as
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Normally, this type of cross is implemented when the team has tall players who can win the aerial battle, or when the crosser is near the targeted team-mate, where curving the ball may be impractical.
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so that players are able to cut into the middle and shoot on goal with their stronger foot, rather than using it predominantly to cross balls into the area for increasingly less-common traditional
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wingers capable of cutting in and outrunning the defence, with the intention of delivering accurate crosses into the box from the goal line. Ground crosses can be riskier tactically.
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Grounded crosses may also unintentionally arise from poor technique, when the crosser fails to get sufficient elevation from their kick.
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In modern football, there currently appear to be fewer players who are adept at crossing the ball as, unlike "traditional wingers", "
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occasionally at the highest level, tactics relying on crossing as a "Plan A" tend to be described as "boring" (see
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into a (frequently) heavily defended area, crosses can be erratic and can result in loss of possession.
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typically aimed at a heading level, in the hope of creating a headed deflection. The curve imparts a
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As an attacking move, the cross is typically seen when the player is running towards their opponents
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to more easily aim for goal with their head or feet. Crosses are generally airborne (
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wingers). It is not uncommon, however, to see talented wingers on opposite wings (
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are once again replaced by wing-backs to provide width to the team.
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In the "inswinging cross" or "inswinger" (not to be confused with
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463:"Why David Moyes has many crosses to bear at Manchester United"
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to rush out and gather or smother the ball with their hands.
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In congested spaces inside the penalty box, the ball can be
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571:"What Manchester United need to do to make 3-5-2 work"
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Inswinging crosses usually arise when a player who is
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practicing a chipped cross before the start of a match
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545:"Antonio Conte out to reshape Italy blueprint"
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337:have used it as a primary tactic frequently.
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489:"The decline of the old-fashioned winger"
109:Learn how and when to remove this message
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161:). It is a quick and effective move.
436:"World Cup 2014: group stage, day 1"
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47:adding citations to reliable sources
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461:Barney Ronay (14 February 2014).
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58:"Cross" association football
882:Association football terminology
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43:improve this article
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32:This article
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794:Seal dribble
779:Rainbow kick
754:Keepie uppie
734:Bicycle kick
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523:The Guardian
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739:Cruyff turn
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354:Eden Hazard
344:", such as
231:the cross.
215:Cruyff turn
713:Zona mista
703:Catenaccio
686:Philosophy
647:Formations
580:27 January
555:27 January
529:27 January
472:1 February
446:1 February
420:1 February
396:References
335:Tony Pulis
257:goalkeeper
69:newspapers
814:Nicknames
799:Step over
749:Flip flap
708:Tiki-taka
662:Positions
382:dribbling
374:Garrincha
327:Long ball
203:goal line
180:fullbacks
176:wingbacks
876:Category
672:Variants
503:16 March
284:momentum
151:forwards
847:Oceania
769:Panenka
667:Tactics
316:Tactics
252:chipped
172:wingers
159:drilled
155:floated
83:scholar
837:Europe
827:Africa
804:Volley
774:Rabona
764:Nutmeg
386:tricks
188:volley
132:match.
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634:Terms
142:cross
90:JSTOR
76:books
832:Asia
744:Curl
652:Laws
582:2015
557:2015
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474:2016
448:2016
422:2016
376:and
333:and
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196:feet
192:head
178:and
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140:, a
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184:box
165:Use
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