1) The document analyzes goals scored from crosses in the attacking third (A3rd) from four World Cups between 2002-2014. It finds that 30.2% of goals in 2014 came from crosses in the A3rd. 2) The "prime target area" of the six-yard box produced the most goals from crosses. One-touch finishes in this area, like headers, were most common. 3) The right side of the middle attacking third (zone B) was the most dangerous and productive area for goals from crosses.

1. Name: Solomon Aina
Unit: Coaching in football
Tutor: Dominic Haynes
Student number:Q11764007
Title: Crosses (From wide area in the A3rd)
Introduction
A cross is a “pass”, that Involves more power, height, pace and accuracy
(Cook 2009). In support of this, a cross is a “pass” which could be a
transition from medium to long range, from the attacking wide area of the
pitch towards the opponent goal (Jay, 2009). The main aim of a cross is to
bring the incoming ball into the box from various angles that create various
situations for the attacking player to aim for goal with the foot or head
(Cook 1999). The two most important techniques in soccer, and the two
techniques, which are used most frequently during games, are those of
controlling the ball and passing the ball (Hughes 1994). Furthermore, more
than 80 per cent of occasions when a player receives the ball, he will pass
the ball to a team mate (Hughes 1994). A ball circulation is based on a good
crossing game (Cook 1999). In addition, many recent examples show that a
good crossing team will result in top- level football (Hyballa and Poel ,
2015). Furthermore, Many national team constantly work on their passing
game and combines this with a group and team-tactical measures
(Lucchesi, 2005). To implement various variable and efficient team plays at

2. the highest level, team must be able to quickly open space (Hughes 1994). A
successful crossing game relies on foundation laid by targeted, variable, and
intensive training (Hyballa and Poel , 2015). For illustration, Barcelona
makes the game as simple as possible, breaks it down into its components,
then finely tuned interplay between ball and legs (Hyballa and Poel , 2015).
Furthermore, an infinite number of short, incisive passes played at the right
moment, at the right speed, with the right spin, to correct foot leads to an
overall team performance (Snow, 2011). Good crossing is not entirely a
matter of good technique, it depends in the first place on understanding
what is required and what will bring the best result, and understanding
what one is capable of technically (Harvey 2005). In addition, Hughes
(1994) stated that crosses are “passes” and the principles of effective
passing remain paramount. Furthermore, a good cross is an important
attacking weapon and certain factors must be consider before crossing the
ball (Hyballa and Poel , 2015). Such as, the space available, the position of
the defending players, the position of the attacking players, technique for
crossing the ball and how to attack the crossed ball (Hughes, 1994)
Charles Hughes: Hypothesis on crossings from wide
area in the A3rd
According to (Hughes 1990) the prime target area is the most deadly
position of the pitch for wingers to cross the ball to. Furthermore, crosses
made into that area tends to fall at the defenders blind spot (Hughes 1990).

3. Fig1
In support of this, Hughes and Franks (2004) stated that when a team
attacks, the antagonistic defense tends to be focused in the center area in
order to avert the attacks down the flanks off from the peril area. This is
why it is predominant that teams can constructively attack down the flanks
(Harvey 2005). Furthermore, when crossing from the wide area the ball
should be played to the prime target area, which is the area that consists of
the length of the six-yard box, and is from the penalty spot within two yards
inside the six-yard box (Hughes 1990). This is the perfect place to cross.
Hughes (1990) stated that balls played into the prime target area behind the
defense are the most affluent types of crosses. Furthermore, about four
goals in every five scored from the prime target area (Hughes 1990). When
crossing to the prime target area the ball should be bent around behind the
defense with enough swerve that it is just out of the reach of the goal
keeper (Hughes 1990). Furthermore, this forces defenders to attempt a
clearance from a position where they are under pressure and facing their
own goal (Hughes 1990). Although, the cross behind the defense should be

4. below head height with pace, as this gives the defense a small time to
recuperate to get into a spot to deal with the cross (Smethurst , 2004). This
is vital as the data exhibit that crosses are dealt with by the defense: there
was a gross of 769 crosses in the 1998 World Cup, but only 344 crosses were
shot on goal (Hughes and Franks, 2004). Furthermore, if feasible the ball
should be played to prime target area, but this is not always possible and
sometimes attackers are forced into positions where the ball cannot be bent
round or played behind the defense (Hughes and Franks, 2004). Hence
players with the ball must select the prefect kind of cross (Hughes and
Franks, 2004). For illustration, when a player is on the touchline the ball
should be pull back (if possible towards the penalty spot), driven into the
prime target area or high-lofted towards the far post (Schmidt, 1997). In
addition, the nearer the ball is to the touchline, the more likely it is that
the goalkeeper will be covering the back half of the goal, so the cross
should be aimed towards the near half of the prime target area (Schmidt,
1997). Furthermore, the nearer the ball is to the penalty spot the greater
the possibility of a undeviating shot and the more likely the goalkeeper is to
be situate in the front half of the goal, the cross should then be directed for
the far half of the prime target area (Schreiner, 2010). A cross should
always be played early to give defenders as little time as possible to get
into a position to clear the ball (Hughes 1990). However, there is no point in
playing a cross early if there are no attackers in the area, in this case the
ball should be held up until attackers are in position (Hughes and Franks,
2004).
According to Hughes (1994), the are three major flank attacks that happens

5. in the attacking third, were crosses could be released from. Although I will
be looking at both the goal line crosses and the Wing crosses. Diagram
below.
Fig 2,
Crosses from the goal line
According to (Hughes, 1990), the goal line used be regarded as the main,
sometimes the only, place from which to cross the ball. Although, crosses
from the goal line are more dangerous than crosses made from in front of
the defense (Bidzinski, 1996). In addition, when an attacker reaches the

6. goal line and crosses the ball, the defenders are ‘turned’ and forced to
challenge and clear the ball while running towards their own goal (Bidzinski,
1996). Furthermore, this often leads to poor clearances or conceding corner
kicks (Wisewell, 2011).
Fig .3
The are 3 major crossing technique highlighted by Hughes for goal line
crosses (Hughes, 1990). The driven cross, the driven cross pays the highest
dividends when a flank player has outpaced the defense and reached the
goal line while the defenders are recovering at speed but have yet to reach
the six-yard line (Caruso, 1997). The pull back cross, this are used when the
defenders have recovered into the six-yard box but the are spaces available
between the six yard line and edge of the penalty area (Caruso, 1997).
Lastly, the lofted cross which must eliminate the goalkeeper (Caruso, 1997).
Wing crosses (wide area crosses)

7. The wide area (Wing) it seen to be critical in the amount of goals that
come from crosses in the attacking third (Hughes, 1994). Picture below
Fig 4.
Fig 5.
According to Wisewell (2011) Crossing from the wide area tends to land in
three specific targets. Firstly the near post, the post nearest the ball is the
one area of the field were defending teams are most vulnerable to

8. (Presitgiacomo 2004). Furthermore, the goalkeeper’s advantage of being
able to use hand is often negated because he cannot get to this space in
time, not likely, can defenders to (Presitgiacomo 2004). Although the
crosser of the ball must determine whether he has enough space to play a
ball around the pressuring defender (Cook, 1999). Mid goal, this cross is
usually made in the air, otherwise, it will not clear the first defender, who
will be positioned toward the near post in front of the mid goal space
(De,Santos et al 2004). Furthermore, crosses played into this area have to
be slightly precise than in other areas, and they can be more difficult to
complete since the opposition is likely to have more defenders in the area
(De, Santos et al 2004). Ideally the ball should be crossed to the middle of
the goal at about the edge of the 6-yard box (De, Santos et al 2004). Lastly,
far post, these crosses must be lofted in order to get past the goalkeeper
and the defenders in the box (Presitigiacomo, 2004). Furthermore, crosses
made into the box can be either-in-swinging or out swinging (Cook, 1999).
Aims and objective
The aim of this essay is to determine if crossing from wide areas in the
attacking third contribute to the amount of goals scored. Furthermore, this
will be done based on Hughes hypothesis, which includes an argument
between both results.
Methodology
The analysis undertaken was a sample of all the goals from wide area
crosses in the attacking third, during the 2014, 2010,2006 and 2002 world

9. cup. This included the group stages, round of 16, quarter final, semi- final
and final. The match’s were transformed into an online video file, which
included the pause, forward and the rewind button, which helped increase
the accuracy and reliability of the notation system.
Fig 6
Notation system
The hand notation system is showed in the result section of this essay. The
reason behind choosing this form of analysis system is because it is a very
inexpensive form of analysis that can be transported around with no hassle
(Reilly and Williams 2003). Furthermore, this notation system created by Ali
(1988) registered 13 principal element of the game. Such as, shot on target,
ball intercepted by goalkeeper, header on target, header off target etc
(Hughes and franks 2004 ). This structure endeavor to discover if there were
peculiar and recognizable patterns of attack and how successful each
pattern affected the outcome of the match (Hughes and franks 2004 ).
Although, this system considered only sequences in the attacking half of the
Wide area
crosses
(Hughes, 1990)

10. field (Reilly and Williams 2003). Most experimentation using hand notation
tends to use data-gathering structure and then process the data in a
computerized database. Furthermore, Pettit and hughes (2001) used a hand
notation system to examine all the matches from the 1998 World cup,
through the aid of a database into which the data was entered (Hughes and
franks 2004 ). The system was outline in order like a flowchart so each
activity that happen the operator input the data on the field (Hughes and
franks 2004 ).Furthermore, the system was also designed to analyze crossing
and shooting (Reilly and Williams 2003).
Hughes Hypothesis
H1: According to Hughes the prime target area is the most dangerous area
for goals from crosses.
H2 : Runs made into the prime target area should be made late as possible.
H3: Flank players should release the ball from fairly deep, wide positions.
H4: The swerve kick and the lofted pass are the two main crossing
techniques for wide players.
H5: 1982 world cup reported that 26% of goals came from crosses
Result
Total goals form wide area crosses

11. World cup Total goals Total wide
area
cross’s
(goals )
Percentage
2014 161 35 30.2%
2010 145 27 23.3%
2006 132 16 13.8%
2002 157 38 32.8%
Figure 7.
From the figure above, the total goals scored within the 2014,2010,2006 and
2002 totaled 595 goals excluding Penalty kicks. Furthermore in terms of
wide area crossers the total goals from wide area crosses was 116.Which
was broken down into percentage results, which is the total wide area goals
from the four world cups divided by each year wide area goals.
Wide area crosses (Zones) leading to Goals in the A3rd
Fig 7
World
cup
A (left
side)
A (right
side)
B (left
side)
B (right
side)
C (left
side)
C (Right
side)
2014 4 7 5 6 5 7
2010 6 4 4 5 5 3
2006 2 2 1 6 3 2
2002 5 3 7 6 9 8

12. Fig 8
Fig9
Figure 8 shows the breakdown of all the wide crosses zones leading to goals
during the 4 world cups.. The 2002 world cup produced the most wide area
crosses leading to goals while 2006 produced least. Although, the highest
goals from wide area crossing came during Germany vs Saudi Arabia match
during the 2002 world cup, which resulted in an 8-0 victory, with Klose
scoring a hat trick with wide area crosses. Although, all wide area crosses
goals, scored within this world cup included one, two and three touches.
Furthermore, Fig 9 shows the success percentage of each crossing area from
the entire world cups, the middle attacking third (B right side) has produced
23 goals during the 4-world cup. While, the least used area are both the A
and B (left side), which have produced both 17 goals receptivity.

13. Calculation, the total goals scored in all zones during the entire four-world
cup divided by the total goals of each zones.
Goals from prime area (zones), from wide area crosses. F10
Figure 11
World
cup
Area ( A) Area (B) Area (c) 1st
time
touch
(goals)
2nd
time
touch
(goals)
3rd
time
touch
(goals)
4th
time
touch
(goals)
5th
time
touch
(goals)
2014 3 32 0 29 5 0 0 1
2010 0 26 1 22 5 0 0 0
2006 0 16 0 15 1 0 0 0
2002 1 34 3 37 0 1 0 0

14. Fig 10 shows the breakdown of all the goals from the prime area from wide
area crosses, this was divined into 3 zones, with B being the prime area for
crosses. Furthermore, the B zone proved the most dangerous for goals from
wide area crosses. In addition, most goals scored within the B zone, were 1
touch finishes this included headers. Are typical example was Cahill header
against Australia during the 2014 world cup, group stages, which ended 3-1.
Fig 11 shows the success percentage breakdown of goals from wide area
crosses. The B zone proved very critical in the amount of goals scored from
wide area crossers. Calculation, total goals scored in all zones divined by
the total goals scored in each zone.
Crossing techniques in the 4 world cups
Fig12
World
cup
Pull
back
cross
Lofted
cross
Swerve
cross
Chip
cross
Driven
cross
Crosses
to the
back of
the
defense
Releasing
the cross
early
(Crosser)
Releasing
the cross
late
(Crosser)
Early run
(Attacking
player)
Late run
(Attacking
player)
2014 3 7 13 3 9 30 16 18 7 26
2010 2 9 9 1 6 19 8 18 6 20
2006 0 5 7 0 4 14 12 4 3 13
2002 1 12 13 1 11 30 26 12 7 31

15. Fig13
Fig 12, shows, the breakdown of all the crossing technique leading to goals
during the entire 4 world cups, Furthermore, it displays the result of early
runs and late runs made by the attacking player into the prime area.
Including, both early and late crosses made by the crosser. Furthermore, Fig
13 shows the top three total crossing technique leading to goals during the
entire 4 world cups. This involved the total crosses during the 4 world cups
divided by each individual crossing technique. Furthermore, Pull backcross
was 5% while the Chip Cross was 4%. Calculation, total goals scored by all 5
technique divided by total goals scored by each technique.
Limitation
The sample videos were not clear enough which lead to low visibility of
some angles during game play. Furthermore, some highlight did not provide
clear details during game play. In addition, this resulted to some
result difficulties.
Discussion
Hughes (1990) stated that 26% of goals came from crosses during the 1982
world cup. In contrast, my result stated that 32.8% of goals came from
crossers during the 2002. In addition a further 30% came during the 2014,
which oppose Hughes view. Although, the 2010 and 2006 produced 23% and

16. 13% goals from crosses which falls within Hughes view. Furthermore, Hughes
(1990) stated that the prime target area is the most dangerous area for
crossings to be played to. In support of this, my result states that the prime
target area (B zone) produced 108 goals during the entire world cups.
Furthermore Hughes (1990) stated that the lofted and swerve crossing
technique are the best for crossing. In support of this, my result shows that
swerve cross contributed to 42 goals while, the lofted cross contributed to
33 goals during the entire world cup. Furthermore, Hughes (1990) also
stated that crosses should be release from fairly deep wide area. In support
of this, my result shows that (B) zone, crossing area, which was fairly deep,
contributed to more goals than other zones. Moreover, attacking players
made a total of 90 late runs during the entire world cup. In conclusion
crosses from wide area still prove critical in the amount of goals being
produced.
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The table below, each title are listed on the 2014 world cup.

18. WIDE AREA CROSSES ONLY. 2014 world cup

20. WIDE AREA CROSSES ONLY 2014/2010-world cup

22. WIDE AREA CROSSES ONLY 2006 /2002 world cup