Tactics / Defending

Defending crosses

Stop the cross if you can. If it comes in, every defender is goal side of a runner and facing the ball, with someone guarding the cut-back.

Out of possessionFrom 7v7Match moment: A winger runs at youMatch moment: Defend a cornerMatch moment: Defend a free kickMatch moment: Defend a crossMatch moment: Defend the cut-back

CUT-BACK ZONEGK25436
  • Us
  • Them
  • Pass
  • Run
  • Dribble

Why it works

Most goals from wide come from the near post or a ball pulled back to the penalty spot. Covering those two spaces stops most of the danger.

What players do

  • The nearest defender closes the crosser and tries to block it.
  • Centre-backs: goal side of your runner, able to see the runner and the ball.
  • One midfielder drops into the cut-back zone around the penalty spot.
  • After clearing, everyone steps out together.

Common mistakes

  • Ball-watching while the runner goes behind you.
  • Nobody in the cut-back zone.
  • Clearing it into the middle, where they win it back.

With young players

With no heading at under-11 and younger, most crosses are low. Protect the near post and the cut-back zone.

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.

Next: Show them down the line

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.

  • GK
    Goalkeeper
    • Come for anything you can catch; shout early.
    • Stand a little off your line, towards the middle of the goal.
    • Punch if you cannot catch it cleanly.

    Position guide: Goalkeeper

  • DEF
    Defenders
    • Goal side, facing the ball. Clear wide.
    • Stay goal side of your runner and facing the ball.
    • Clear high, wide and far, not back into the middle.

    Position guide: Centre-back · Full-back

  • MID
    Midfielders
    • Drop into the cut-back zone.
    • Drop into the cut-back zone around the penalty spot.
    • Pick up the late runner from midfield.

    Position guide: Holding midfielder · Central midfielder · Attacking midfielder

  • ATT
    Forwards
    • Stay up for the counter, or track the far runner.
    • Winger: track the far full-back running to the back post.
    • Striker: stay up so the clearance has a target.

    Position guide: Winger · Striker

Practices that train it

Start with the first, and build up to the game.