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HOW TO
SCORE MORE GOALS |
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by Mike Getman |
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There are many ways to score goals and many ways to build an attack. At the higher levels of soccer a great many chances come from crosses. Some teams build their whole attack around servings balls into the penalty box and battling for the ball in the air. The English and Irish National teams have challenged for the World Cup with this style. Even the Brazilians, who are noted for the ground attack, score a higher percentage of their goals from crosses served into the box. Yet the success of these teams is based on much more than just whacking the ball the ball into the air and hoping someone can head it into the goal. There is a great deal of skill, timing and teamwork involved. Let's look at some of the details that go into creating scoring chances from wide postures. A player in a wide position in the attacking third of the field needs to do several things before he can successfully cross the ball. First, he must be able to look up to see where to pass the ball. Just kicking it anywhere may work once in a while but we need to make sure we have the best chance possible. Remember, a cross is nothing more than a long distance pass. So look up, see where your teammates are, then pass the ball. Your next-to-last touch should angle the ball towards the goal so that as you cross it, your body is already facing the direction you want to kick. Too many players allow the ball to roll parallel to the touch line and then try to cross while running full speed and having to pivot and kick across their body. Usually this results in the ball floating high over the end line. The players waiting in the box can also help make the cross more successful. By making runs to dangerous areas they can put themselves in a better position to score. The most dangerous spot on the field is about six yards from the goal and in line with the near post. A pass made to that spot is from a wide position does not have to travel as far and thus will be more accurate. It will also arrive more quickly, giving the goalkeeper less time to react. Thus, the goalkeeper's chances of making the save are very slim. The player making the run should start from an area near the far corner of the box and then sprint diagonally to a point six yards off the near post. This diagonal run will also keep the player in the flight path of the ball so that he can make contact whether it is in the air or on the ground. The timing of the run is also very important. The player should not run until the player with the ball looks up to see what to do. Once he looks up he can see where you are running, and will know where to play the ball. This timing will also work out so you arrive at the near post at the same time as the ball. If you go early you will arrive before the ball and will either run past the post into a bad scoring angle or will have to stand and wait, giving the defender a better chance of winning the ball. If you run too late, you will meet the ball in the center of the goal where you may have to battle not only your defender but the sweeper and goalkeeper as well. While one player is making the run to the near post, another player needs to be at the far post. This player should wait until the ball is played and then go to the ball. This player should also start at the far corner of the penalty box and then react to where the ball is played. Too often this player drifts too close to the goal and the ball is played over his head. Hold your run at the top of the box and then react to where the ball is played. A pass to this player will have to be high enough to get over any defenders who might be standing in the middle of the box. Yet if it is lofted too high, it will be easy for the keeper to catch. So drive this ball with some pace rather than floating it. Other attacking players will want to find other areas to run to. The next most dangerous spot is probably in the center of the goal just outside of the penalty spot. The top of the box or just outside it is an area where a lot of balls are cleared so players may want to head to this area. If we have players making these runs, coupled with
enough skill that the crosser can look up and make the right pass, we will greatly
increase our chances of scoring. There are many ways to score but even more ways to miss.
Try practicing these runs and see if they increase your chances.
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