To effectively block a cross in soccer, you need to combine smart defensive positioning with quick reaction and proper technique as the attacker attempts to deliver the ball.
Blocking a cross primarily involves preventing the opposing player from successfully delivering the ball into a dangerous area of your penalty box. It's a crucial defensive action, often practiced in drills like the "Blocking the Cross Drill" where a defender's job is to stay with the attacker and react quickly once the attacker tries to cross the ball after moving past a designated point, such as a flag.
Successful cross-blocking relies on several interconnected elements:
- Defensive Positioning: Getting into the right place before the cross is attempted.
- Timing: Reading the attacker's intentions and making your move at the precise moment.
- Technique: Using your body effectively to intercept or deflect the ball.
- Pressure: Closing down the attacker quickly and decisively.
How to Execute the Block
Here’s a breakdown of the steps and techniques involved:
1. Maintain Defensive Positioning
- Stay Close: Your primary role is to stay with the attacker, preventing them from getting into a position where they have time and space to cross. As highlighted in training scenarios, staying tight to the player is essential from the outset.
- Show Them Outside: As the attacker drives towards the goal line, try to angle your body to "show" them down the line rather than letting them cut inside onto their preferred foot.
- Body Shape: Keep your body low and balanced, ready to change direction quickly. Avoid committing too early.
2. Anticipate and Time Your Move
- Read the Attacker: Watch their body language, the position of the ball, and their head. Are they setting up to cross? Which foot will they use?
- React Quickly: Be ready to move on their touch or cue, just like in the drill mentioned in the reference ("On my touch you can move move... when I play it now now you can move"). Speed of reaction is vital as they attempt the cross.
- Judge the Moment: Step towards the attacker as they are about to strike the ball for the cross. Your goal is to arrive just as they make contact.
3. Implement Blocking Technique
- Close Down Space: Sprint or shuffle towards the attacker to reduce the distance and angle for the cross.
- Use Your Body: Position yourself between the attacker and the goal area the cross is aimed for.
- Block with Legs/Feet: The most common method is to use your leading leg and foot to block the ball immediately after it leaves the attacker's foot.
- Spread your legs slightly for balance.
- Turn your body slightly side-on, using the outside of your foot and shin to present a larger blocking surface.
- Be careful not to slide in wildly, as this can be easily beaten or result in a foul. A controlled block is more effective.
- Block with Body (Less Common for Low Crosses): For higher crosses, defenders might use their chest or head, but for typical ground or low crosses, the legs and feet are the primary tools.
4. Practical Considerations
- Communication: Alert teammates to the potential cross.
- Awareness: Be aware of runners in the box who might be the target of the cross. Your block helps prevent the ball from reaching them.
- Follow Through: Even if you only partially block the cross, continue to contest the ball or recover your position.
By combining tight defensive marking (staying with the attacker), anticipating their actions, reacting quickly when they try to cross, and using proper technique, you can significantly increase your chances of blocking a cross and preventing a scoring opportunity.
| Aspect | Description | Key Action |
|---|---|---|
| Positioning | Staying close and forcing attacker wide. | Stay with the player; angle body. |
| Anticipation | Reading attacker's cues for the cross. | Watch body language, timing; react quickly. |
| Technique | Using body part to intercept the ball. | Step in; use legs/feet to block the ball's path. |
| Pressure | Closing down space quickly. | Sprint/shuffle towards attacker as they cross. |
