The cross is part of the arsenal of most every soccer team from older youth leagues on up. At the top level, Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder David Beckham built a personal fortune on a right leg that could send the perfect cross on a platter for a forward to dink into the goal. A cross consists of a long pass, taken from the corners of the pitch, that crosses in front of the goal, ideally at around head height so it can be be headed or lower for a shot by the foot for a score.
Step 1
Dribble down the field and angle the last tap of your dribble toward the middle of the field, recommend Lindsey Blom and Tim Blom in their book "Survival Guide for Coaching Youth Soccer." You want the ball to roll slowly to a position where it is between you and your target. Approach the ball from a slight angle of about 35 degrees with your knees slightly bent.
Step 2
Look up for a teammate to aim for with your cross. Look down and put your plant foot about four to six inches from the back of the ball, pointing your toes as much as possible in the direction you wish the ball to take.
Step 3
Turn your hips at an angle toward the area in front of the goal. Lock the ankle of your kicking foot with your toes pointing toward the ground. Scrape the grass lightly with your toes and strike the middle of the ball with your laces. Strike the ball strongly, but not quite as strongly as during a shot. Lean your body back slightly to send the ball into the air.
Tips and Warnings
- You can sometimes cross the ball with the outside of your foot if you see an opening to flick the ball to a teammate and don't have time to take another step and plant your foot. You can also use the inside of your foot to strike the ball, or even a toe poke. Let circumstances dictate your approach. Study video or live games to learn how the best crossers in the world to cross the ball, recommend the former pro players at Soccer Training Info. In addition to Beckham, these include Gareth Bale of Tottenham Hotspur, Theo Walcott of Arsenal, Luis Figo of Real Madrid and Inter Milan and Ryan Giggs of Manchester United.
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