What is a cross in soccer?
A cross in soccer is a pass from a wide part of the field into the area in front of the goal, for a teammate to finish. Attackers run to different places, usually the near post, the far post and the penalty mark, so the cross has more than one target.
Other names: crossing.
Soccer is called football in most of the world. This guide is part of Futbol Island’s free football lessons for kids aged 7 to 12.
Cross: diagram
How to cross and where to run
- The crosser looks up before kicking, to see who is running where.
- One attacker runs to the near post, one to the far post and one stays around the penalty mark.
- Aim for the space between the goalkeeper and the defenders, where a runner can meet the ball.
- A low, hard cross along the ground is often easier to finish than a high one.
Common mistakes
- All the attackers running to the same place.
- Crossing straight into the goalkeeper’s hands.
- Standing still in the penalty area and waiting, instead of arriving as the ball does.
In 7v7, 9v9, 11v11 and futsal
In US youth soccer players aged 10 and under do not head the ball, so in 7v7 a cross is best played low for a shot with the foot. In futsal the same idea is a pass across the goal to the far post.
Questions about the cross
What is the difference between a cross and a pass?
A cross is one kind of pass: from the side of the field into the area in front of the goal.
Who crosses the ball in soccer?
Mostly wingers, fullbacks and wing-backs, because they play near the touchline.
What is a far-post run?
A run to the goalpost farthest from the ball. Crosses often go past everyone in the middle, and a player arriving there has an easy finish.
Lessons that teach it
- Arrive at the Far Post (Futsal lesson)Time support across goal, and keep another option when that route is covered.
- Look Behind the Defenders (11v11 lesson)Find the teammate, then check the route. A cut-back is useful only when that pass is there.
- Short Corner: Borrow One of Two Outlets (9v9 lesson)When Blue plays a corner short, a spare player helps our defender, so every runner in the middle stays marked.
Related soccer terms
- CutbackA pass from near the goal line back toward a teammate arriving in front of goal.
- OverlapA run around the outside of the teammate who has the ball, to make two attackers against one defender on the side of the field.
- Set PieceA restart with the ball standing still: a free kick, corner kick, throw-in, goal kick, penalty kick or kick-off.
- Switch of PlayMoving the ball from the crowded side of the field to the open side.
- All soccer terms, A to Z92 soccer words in plain English, from advantage to yellow card, 18 with a diagram
- Soccer rules for kids16 rules explained for kids, each with a diagram: offside, handball, throw-ins and more
Futbol Island is a free football (soccer) learning game for kids aged 7 to 12. Every idea on this page is taught on a pitch with moving players, then checked with a quick quiz.