GK RB RCB LCB LB RM RCM LCM LM RST LST ‹ ▶ Play Step 1 of 3 ›
Their winger has the ball wide. Our full-back gets tight; the box fills the four spaces.
Drawn for 11v11 4-4-2. Pick your own format and shape and every step is redrawn for your players. Then present it or send it to your team.
Step by step Their winger has the ball wide. Our full-back gets tight; the box fills the four spaces. Near post, middle, far post covered; midfielders drop into the cut-back area. The cross goes to the near post. Our centre-back attacks it and heads it high and wide. When to use it Whenever the ball is in a wide area in your defensive third.
Coaching points First, stop the cross: the nearest player gets tight to the crosser. Near-side centre-back protects the near post; the other covers the middle. Far-side full-back tucks in to cover the far post. Midfielders drop into the cut-back area around the penalty spot. Attack the ball, head it high and wide, then step out together. Who does what Position Their job Wide defender Gets tight to stop or block the cross. Centre-backs Near post and middle. Far-side full-back Far post. Midfielders Cut-back area and the edge of the box. Keeper Six-yard box; calls early.
When they change it If they… You… They cut it back instead of crossing Midfielders are already there: block and clear. They cross deep to the far post Far-side full-back attacks it; the keeper stays on the line if unsure. They overload the box Wide midfielder on the far side drops in too.
Common mistakes Everyone dropping onto the six-yard line, leaving the cut-back area empty. The far-side full-back staying wide. Watching the ball and losing the runner. At 7v7, 9v9 and 11v11
7v7 Two defenders: near post and middle. Midfielder on the cut-back.
9v9 Back three: near post, middle, far post. Midfielder on the cut-back.
11v11 The board: centre-backs near post and middle, far full-back at the far post, midfielders on the cut-back. Drills to practise it Questions coaches ask How do you defend crosses? Stop the cross if you can, then cover the near post, middle, far post and the cut-back area.
Where should the keeper stand for a cross? Usually in the middle of the goal or slightly towards the far post, a step off the line, ready to come for anything in the six-yard box.
What's the most dangerous area for crosses? The six-yard box and the area around the penalty spot for cut-backs.
More tactics boards ← All tactics boards · Formations · Drills
