Centering Or Crossing A Ball

Alright here's what you do. You want to make sure that when your going to kick the ball that your non-kicking foot is planted next to the ball. When you kick the ball you kick it with the top part of your foot. To get it right you need to be able to get your foot under the ball and lift up, then just follow through. This should be done in one fast motion. Really put your leg throught. Oh and another thing when you do kick it your body should be slightly leaning back. And last make sure your foot touches the ball in either the lower part of the ball or on the bottom.

 

The best way to learn a new motion is to exaggerate it.

Place the ball down, now kick it, except kick it by trying to slide your foot UNDER the ball without touching the ball. Impossible to do, but when you get it close, you will pop the ball up.

Start there, then adjust the follow through for trajectory and power.

 

Follow through the ball as you lift you leg....my coach always tells me to go through the ball...keyword=through

 

A Tip:
when you put down your plant foot--remember to turn your hips so you are facing the opp. sideline, if your hips are parallel w/the sideline, the so will your body and the cross will be more direct and easier for someone to get a foot/head on.

 

Let's be a little more accurate then that. When you turn your hips you want to end up facing the target player you can lead him and put the ball right on his his head.

The easiest way to cross is make sure the ball is on the side of your shoulder that is facing the goal before you make the cross.

You can make a cross when the ball is in the center of your shoulder with more practice.

You can even make a cross when the ball is on the far shoulder if your last
name happens to be Zidane other wise get the ball on the goal side shoulder before you make the cross.

 

I was always taught that if you want the ball to pop up, you plant your non-kicking foot just in behind the ball. That forces your kicking foot a little under the ball. It has always helped me.

Picture: planting foot = | and ball = O

Ground kick:

...|...O

Crossing Kick:

.......O
...|...

See what I mean?

 

Think of it like your taking a shot, when you shoot and you pick up your head or lean back the ball will rise and float on at goal. When you cross just think like you making a less powerful shot but your goal will be the area around the pk spot opposed to the actual goal. Just pick up your head and lean back a little when you strike it. Just keep practicing man, nothing comes easy.

 

Picture the pattern of the 9 pips on a domino. Superimpose that grid on the ball with the center pip being at the center of the equator on the ball. You want to strike the ball at the lower pips, below the equator.

If you play pool, think of it as bottom english with a lot of follow through.

 

Crosses should also bend away from the keeper, towards the head of the target. I think the perfect distance away from the goal is about at the penalty spot, because most keepers will be on their line. Agreed?

 

Kick it as though your were to pass it to the person. Dont try to kill the ball by kicking your hardest..otherwise you might duff it, or fobble it across the ground. Just let it be natural and if your on the run, your momentum should allow the force needed to propel the ball toward the goal for a header to ur teammate. If you are pressured, fake the cross and come to a stop, then kick the ball towards the goal to ur teammate..i find this a very effective move allowing more accuracy, and if your opposite legged from the side your playing on,(right-footed playing on the left side of the field') stopping and letting the defender go by u allows u to turn and face the goal giving u a more comfortable kick unless u are already comfortable with the strength in both ur legs.

-weightlighting probably wont hurt either'