Being able to come out for crosses is perhaps the most important skill to have as a goalie. On the field the keeper is the most important person with the vision to see the offensive attack and most importantly on defense, the counter attack. By communicating effectively a keeper can improve defensive organization of the entire team and initiate the attack thus handling fewer shots and resulting in less goals.

Crosses and corner kicks are considered "high concentration" situations for a keeper and his/her defense.  Obviously, the keeper must focus on the ball as the service is taken so that he/she can properly judge the flight of the ball to handle the situation. Simply, goalkeepers need to recognize quickly whether they can win the ball. Without hesitation or self doubt, they need to assess the situation and communicate effectively whether they are committing themselves to winning the cross.  The common terminology used throughout the United States is “keeper” or “away”. Both terms are used to clarify the goalkeeper’s intentions; the “keeper” call means the goalkeeper is committed to winning the ball, and the “away” call means they are staying in the goal. Communicating loudly and concisely alleviates any misconceptions for the defenders in their attempt to clear the ball. A goalkeeper has to be able to jump in a crowded box and either catch or box a ball away under pressure and while exposing their body. Lastly, a goalkeeper needs to be composed and confident. While players are running in all directions in the box, a goalkeeper has to
remain poised when deciding whether or not to come for a ball. While these characteristics can come naturally, they can also be ingrained with proper training. In training, specific attention should be placed on footwork, handling, starting position and timing. Timing is very important, as even a small goalkeeper can be good at handling crosses if his or her timing is good. One of the most common mistakes goalkeepers make is
stepping towards the ball just as the ball is struck. This causes the ball to go over the head of the goalkeeper on most occasions. They usually have a minimum of five yards after the ball is struck to access the flight and pace of the ball. Patience is key. The quality of services during training is vital. Serves should come from all angles and distances. Balls should be driven, lofted, bent in, bent out, near post, far post, dead balls and balls served off the dribble. Repetition is important to help improve all areas
including confidence. A session should start with no pressure on the goalkeeper. This allows the goalkeeper to concentrate and make adjustments on timing, handling, starting position and range. Starting position will depend on the area from which the ball is being served and to some extent, the size of the goalkeeper. A smaller goalkeeper may have to take a deeper starting position so as to allow a better chance at catching balls lofted to the far post. Also, the body language of the server can help determine starting position. Once a goalkeeper has called for the ball, they must be committed to attacking it. Even if the goalkeeper realizes that she may not get it, she should still commit to attacking the ball, as her defenders will be covering the goal once they hear the shout of “keeper.” Technically, a goalkeeper should try to catch the ball at the highest point of their jump. Short, quick steps are more effective than long strides for preparing to jump. Hands should be slightly behind the ball to keep it from slipping through and catch the ball in front of the head as opposed to right above or even behind the head. The inside leg should
be up to help protect the body. The path to the ball needs to be as straight as possible. A bending run towards the ball may allow an attacker to slip inside of the goalkeeper. Before adding attackers in training, it may be a good idea to start by adding a central defender. This way the goalkeeper and defender can coordinate communication and movements. If a goalkeeper comes for the cross, then the defender must decide to either
cover the goal or help shield the goalkeeper. After a number of repetitions, attackers can enter the session. You can then continue to add defenders and attackers until you move to a crossing activity.
A simple team activity for training crosses is: 6 v 6 with four wide servers in channels. The size of the area is half a field and using the full width. The channel areas are designated by cones and are two yards wider than the box. Two servers for each team cannot enter the field of play. Teams must play wide and then make runs for a serve. Channel players have a two/three touch restriction to help vary the area from which the
ball is served. If they attacking team keeps possession after the serve, they do not have to go wide again. They can try to combine to score. Once the defending team or goalkeeper gains possession, then the ball must go wide to start their attack. Off sides is in effect. You can adapt the size of the field to accommodate the age and experience of your team.
Goalkeepers need to train on a regular basis in taking crosses. It should be a part of their daily training routine. A goalkeeper who is confident and capable in coming for crosses can make a huge difference in deciding the outcome of a match.

Intercepting the Ball
The use of the High Triangle Contour Catch is used to secure balls above the head. This technique is essentially used to catch balls above an opponents challenge while intercepting crosses (Fig.1.). Elevation towards the ball is created by flexion in the knee and an arm swing to transfer momentum upward to reach the ball at the highest point of interception (Fig.2.). This movement enables the goalkeeper to approach the ball with more dynamic strength and balance while attacking the ball. The elevated knee is used to protect the goalkeeper, as well as keep the opponent away from the ball (Fig.4.).

Boxing the Ball
Not every crossed ball into the penalty area will be caught. Goalkeepers are faced with the decision to box balls when under heavy pressure from the opponent. Boxing or punching the ball usually occurs when there is extreme pressure and congestion within the penalty area that hinders the goalkeeper’s ability to elevate safely to intercept the ball. Sometimes, boxing may occur because the goalkeeper may have initially misjudged the ball and is now scrambling to catch up to it. In either event, boxing is a skill that must be trained and utilized to win crossed balls.

Boxing Tips:

• Elbows and arms are comfortably close to the body.
• Contact with the ball is made by using a short driving motion (extension of the elbow joint); not a long “roundhouse” swing.
• Wrists are firm and rigid.
• Use clenched fist(s).
• Box through the low center of the ball.
• Box for height, distance, width and accuracy.
• When in doubt, box it out!

Boxing Guidelines:

• When the goalkeeper is moving forward towards the ball, box with two hands back in the general direction of the service.
• When moving forward toward the near post, never box across the front of the goal.
• When the ball is driven toward the far post, continue the flight of the ball in the direction of the serve by boxing one-handed (use the hand closest to the ball).
• If contact with opponent is imminent, box the ball; avoid contact when possible (less risk of injury).
• Use boxing to intimidate the opposition. Players dislike having a fist brush closely by them.

Technical Considerations

1. Stance: The feet are shoulder-width apart with the knees slightly bent, and the weight is on the balls of the feet. The body is relaxed in a “training bounce” (slight bounce in place) with the arms bent around chest height.
2. Open Stance: the body position of the goalkeeper is slightly more open to the field of play.  This position allows for more field vision and provides an easier transition to win balls struck at the far post. This stance is primarily used to handle long services.
3. Closed Stance: the body position of the goalkeeper is square to the service. Primarily used for short crosses; this allows the goalkeeper to attack balls easier struck in the front half of the goal.

Take Off Footwork
One of the primary ingredients needed for goalkeepers to win crosses. When moving towards the ball, the goalkeeper should utilize small, quick steps with the last step being longer. If the ball is being served from the left side of the goal, the goalkeepers take off should be with their left leg while elevating the right knee for protection (and vice versa if the ball is served from the right) (Fig.3.). The only exception is when the goalkeeper boxes to continue the flight of the ball. Therefore, if the ball is served from the right, the goalkeeper will take off their left leg while elevating their right knee.
Drop Step/Cross-over: These two forms of footwork are commonly used to maneuver the goalkeeper in retrieving balls played across the face of the goal. The drop-step allows the goalkeeper to adjust their body shape, while the cross-over step is used to cover ground. Typically, they are used in conjunction when handling balls played to the far post.

Starting Position
In establishing an effective starting position to cope with flank play, goalkeepers must consider how far they can play off their goal line, yet still protect the goal. Finding the appropriate starting position emerges through experimentation during training sessions. By seeing a number of crosses from different distances and angles, goalkeepers gain tactical awareness and knowledge that usually transcends into the game.  Considering there are various crossing situations, the starting position of the goalkeeper will fluctuate depending on the position of the player with the ball. However, there are other factors that may influence the goalkeepers starting position.
The physical attributes or limitations of the goalkeeper; height, jumping ability, quickness, speed…etc.
Distance of the cross. The farther the ball is away from the goal, the goalkeeper can position themselves vertically higher off the goal line and laterally toward the middle or back third of the goal; the closer the ball is to the goal, the goalkeeper’s vertical position is nearer to the goal line and laterally toward the near post.
Depth of the cross. When the opposing player is positioned to serve the ball from the end line, the goalkeeper can adjust their vertical position further away from the goal line. Due to the reduced shooting angle, the probability of the shot is limited; therefore, the goalkeeper can look to extend their starting position. However, the goalkeeper must be cognizant of the misplayed ball that veers towards the goal.
In-swinging or out-swinging crosses. Pending on switch foot or side the ball is being served from, the goalkeeper needs to adjust their starting position accordingly.  In-swinging (closer to the goal line) / Out-swinging (farther off the goal line).
Reading the angle of approach of the opposing player. Here are some tactical cues that may influence the starting position of the goalkeeper:

1. If the preparation touch is diagonally towards the goal, their body position allows them to shoot, serve balls along the ground or flight balls to the far post.
2. If the preparation touch is straight in front of them, they will be forced to kick across their body which hinders the power and accuracy of the cross. These crosses usually fall short or may be lofted.
3. If the preparation touch is towards the sideline, the probability of this ball being served well is less; usually, this ball falls short of the near post.

Tactical Scenarios
Most young goalkeepers are accustomed to handling the ordinary cross or corner-kick.  These crossing situations are the most prevalent and recognizable tactical features in the youth game.

2-Goal Situation – Attacking Implications

• Short length cross; just outside the width/length of the penalty area.
• Low driven bending ball; can be an out-swinging or in-swinging serve.
• Usually, the ball is sent in early behind the defense.
• Highly congested penalty area; defenders tracking runners into the box. Primary runs are made to near and far post areas.
• Own goals often occur; defenders trying to redirect the ball away from the goal.

Guidelines to Handling the 2-Goal Situation

1. Closed stance.
2. Starting position is off the goal line in the front or middle part of goal.
3. Take a direct path to the ball; be aggressive and brave in your approach.
4. Look to win the ball in front half of the goal; intercepting or boxing.
5. If holding the position, anticipate first time shots, flicks and deflections.

3-Goal Situation – Attacking Implications

• Opposing player penetrates the penalty area on the flank.
• Opposing player has an acute shooting angle; has options to cross.
• Timing runs are being made into the penalty area; near, middle and far post.
• Balls can be played hard to the near post, pulled back to the trail runner, or flighted to the far post.
• Usually, a one-touch finish is used by the striker.

Guidelines to Handling the 3-Goal Situation

1. Closed set stance.
2. Starting position of the goalkeeper is one step in front of the near post.
3. Priority is the “first goal” (the actual goal); must protect the goal from being scored upon at the near post.
4. Next priority is the “second goal” (near post to the top of the goal box). If a ball is served, can the goalkeeper intercept or deflect the pass. If the ball is unreachable, the goalkeeper must foot-work across the goal and plays the point blank shot.
5. Final priority is the “third goal” (the space behind the goalkeeper). If the chipped/ flighted ball can not be intercepted or tipped out of danger, the goalkeeper must use the fastest method of foot-work to get across the goal to save the shot.

Handling crosses needs to be an integral part of the goalkeepers training regimen.