Tactics / Chance creation
Crossing zones
When the ball goes wide, each runner attacks a different zone: near post, far post, penalty spot and the edge of the box. One cross, four chances.
Why it works
Most goals from crosses are scored by a player arriving, not standing. Runners spread across the zones cover wherever the ball lands, and stop one defender marking two of us.
What players do
- Near post: the first runner, getting in front of the nearest defender.
- Far post: arrive late, for the ball that goes past everyone.
- Penalty spot: hold back, then arrive for the cut-back.
- Edge of the box: a midfielder, for anything cleared out.
- Crosser: look up once. A low, hard ball across the six-yard box is the hardest to defend.
Common mistakes
- Everyone runs to the near post.
- Runners arrive too early and stand still, so they are easy to mark.
- Nobody on the edge of the box, so every clearance is theirs.
With young players
Under-11s and younger do not head the ball in matches or training. For them crosses are low or cut back, and every zone finishes with the foot. The zones are the same.
Drawn on a 105 × 68 m pitch, showing the part where it happens. Orange attacks left to right and the other team is in blue; numbers are the usual shirt numbers for each position.
Put it into your own team's plan in the team builder, and see what it asks of each player.
What it asks of each player
The same idea, from every line of the team. Set it up for your own team in the team builder.
- GKGoalkeeper
- Stay alert for the counter if the cross is cleared long.
Position guide: Goalkeeper
- DEFDefenders
- Full-back on the ball side: overlap to give the crosser time. Centre-backs: stay back with the holding midfielder.
Position guide: Centre-back · Full-back
- MIDMidfielders
- One midfielder holds the edge of the box. The other arrives at the penalty spot.
Position guide: Holding midfielder · Central midfielder · Attacking midfielder
- ATT
Practices that train it
Start with the first, and build up to the game.
crossing · 15 min · 6 to 12, plus a goalkeeper
Low crosses and cut-backs
A wide player runs down the line and plays the ball low across the goal or back to the edge of the box. Two runners attack it: one to the near post, one to the penalty spot.
game · 15 min · 8 to 12 (4v4 to 6v6)
End-zone game
Score by dribbling into the end zone, or by receiving a pass in it. Encourages running with the ball and forward passes.
shooting · 12 min · You and a friend, plus a goalkeeper if you have one
First-time finishing
Your friend rolls the ball across in front of you and you finish without stopping it. Most goals in real games are scored with one or two touches.