whipped cross

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Probably the most common type of cross you’ll see and learn is the whipped cross. It is the most effective type of cross as it is difficult for the defense and keeper to read. It carries speed, curve, various heights and when hit right can lead to goal scoring opportunities.  Let’s take you through the steps of how to perform:

Before you use the whipped cross you should analyse the box to see if this technique is suitable. You should look to see where teammates are placed, look to see if the defender is close to your teammate or not, is your teammate too close to the keeper, if not the box, is a player free on the edge of the box, is there a mismatch of height?

Step 1

Practice both with the ball still & rolling.

  • If you don’t have someone to cross to, setup a zone/target
  • You need the ball to be away from yourself so you can run up and place yourself to get as much whip as possible, as your hips will need to rotate with the connection.
  • If the ball is still take 3-5 steps back, if the ball is rolling you’ll need to push the ball diagonally out of your feet so you can use the full technique.

You want your standing leg close to the ball if rolling, or leave a little gap if still.

Step 2

  • Make sure your hips are either slightly facing or fully facing where you want the ball to go when connecting. This will help direct the ball in that direction.
  • The further away from your target you’re facing, the more you will need to rotate your hips when crossing.
  • Your planting foot can be pointed towards your target if you’re facing your target more.
  • Get your arms up for balancing. Opposite arm to kicking leg should be up higher.
  • Pull your leg back, keep your body tensed for power and swing through to meet the ball with the inside part of your foot, aiming to wrap your foot around the ball.
  • You’ll need to connect with the ball in this area.
  • Your crossing leg can come across your body to get the required whip but it doesn’t have to, it can also whip outside the line of the ball.

Step 3

If you’re running down the wing facing the touchline more than the box, you’ll need to bring your kicking leg across your standing leg, this will help with direction and whip.

  • If your hips are fully facing the box, your kicking leg doesn’t have to finish across your standing leg.
  • To add dip to your whipped cross you’ll need to follow through upwards with your kick, this will create topspin.
  • Try bringing your leg higher with a bit of a hop to get the ball to dip quicker.
  • Practice by setting up a gate to cross through.

If you want to create space between you and the defender, we recommend you try some simple moves like a fake cross, stepover or shoulder drop.