FineSoccer Kids 21

Welcome to the FineSoccer Kids Newsletter. Today's topic will deal with crossing the ball.

A cross is when a ball is played from the side into the 18-yard box of the goal you are attacking. The intention of a cross is to find a teammate who can score off of your cross.

Too many crosses end up either going over the end line and behind the goal or straight to the keeper. Either way, this takes away the opportunity to score a goal.

The two most dangerous crosses are the early cross or the ball taken all the way to the end line and crossed back.

You can read about the early serve (a serve is similar to a cross) at http://finesoccer.com/edition82.htm. 

The cross from the end line back out is effective because it is going away from the keeper, which makes it difficult for the keeper to come out and get the ball. It is all going towards the attackers, which makes it easier for them to make good contact on the ball. By playing the ball back out from the end line, the players running onto the ball can simply redirect the ball into the goal and let the momentum of the pass generate the power.

The keys to crossing a ball back out from the end line include actually taking the ball all the way down there (too many players cross the ball 8 yards from the end line and that is actually a very difficult ball to finish). Another key is to get the hips turned on the cross. In order to get any power on the cross, the hips must be facing the intended target so the quick turning of the hips will allow the ball to be played back and with power.

The next key to scoring goals off of crosses it to make sure there are proper runs being made. To learn more about the runs that score goals off of crosses, please go to http://finesoccer.com/edition85.htm. 

Any comments, questions or suggestions should be sent to kidscomments@finesoccer.com. 

To subscribe to any of the FineSoccer Newsletters, please go to http://finesoccer.com/subscrib.htm. 

Have a great day!

Lawrence