Crossing the ball

[USASoccerTP]

any tips?

[rivers]

I dunno, I have never really had a problem crossing the ball. All I could suggest is practice it.

Also, if there are no defenders between you and your target, pass along the ground, no need for a cross in the air.

[óleóle12]

ground crosses are more dangerous

[Richie]

There are a few things needed to make good crosses.

1) Ability to beat or lose the first defender.
The opponent that is in your face as you are trying to cross the ball.

There are many ways to do that. Change of speeds change of directions or beating off the dribble in some other way.
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You can cross early before the first defender get's to you.
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You can use team mates help to make an unpressured cross.

An overlap by a team mate can cause a 2 v 1 in your favor. So just get the ball to the free player at the time of the cross.

Or movement to clear space on the flank then a teammate moves into the free space. Then he crosses the ball
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After that all you need is to be able to make a tecnically good cross. A cross that you can accurately place almost on the receivers head.

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Then you need a receiver or receivers who actually want to finish. Certain players what to finish more then others.

I firmly believe the first run by a receiver must be the near post run. Anybody else comming down can move where they can best beat their defender,

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No receiver down field? Then the player making the cross should not make a cross to no one. He should show some patience and either hold the ball himself or use team mates to hold the ball till receivers get further down the field before the cross is made. Every player knows that right? They just get nervous or think they will lose the ball, and then cross to no one and lose the ball any way.

Richie

[jdefoe9]

hey, the rule of thumb is, whenever you can cross; swing one in. Use the inside of the foot to be accurate and aim for the near post. If you have the chance to cut inside (possibly because the defender is concentrating on the overlapping full back) do so. Then, put in a nice, crisp cross so the main strikers can head in the net.

[NC_ODP02]

really I cannot tell you much here, as there was already a well written post.

All I can say is find a way that is comfy with you about getting the ball in the air. Practice it to become accurate...and then use it in games.

I love set pieces b/c I can usually place a ball right on somebodies head......its a great feeling knowing practice has paid off...

[copaantl98]

For me, I usually just use the top of the big toe.