CORNER OF THE MONTH

The Cross

By Al Mattei

Founder, Top Of The Circle.com

The good, deep crossing ball off a short corner is an effective weapon, but not many teams use it. The reason, unfortunately, is that many defenses know that the corner is coming, simply because the crossing player (the red "X") is never in that deep wing position except to receive the insertion pass for a goalmouth cross (black arrows).

What can a team do to increase the chances that a low cross in front of goal will lead to a good scoring chance? Here are some hints:

1. Always station a player in that deep wing position, even though it may isolate her from the rest of the corner plays in a coach's arsenal.

2. The cross need not be blasted in front of goal: it needs enough pace to beat the defenders without handcuffing the pass receivers in front of the cage.

3. Don't overcrowd the front of the cage. Four or five people seeking to get in front of the cage for a tip-in is a recipe for an obstruction or third-party call.

4. Those seeking to score should endeavor to receive the pass rather than to simply deflect the ball. If you are outside the frame of the cage and your aim is to simply deflect the ball, your shot will never hit the cage.

5. Angle your stick down in preparation for the pass: it will allow you to trap a hard-hit ball or, with skill, allow a deflection on goal.

6. Try using the cross from the right wing. The crossing ball can be more easily received and shot by a left-wing cutter facing the goal, and is more likely to be deflected into the cage by a right-wing cutter if the stick is laid on the ground.