The Science of crosses: Does Striker Positioning Make the Difference ?
A well-placed cross can be a game-changing moment, but not all crosses are created equal. Recent analysis reveals that the end position of the cross and the positioning of a striker during a cross significantly impacts the success rate of the attacking move. Specifically, we’ve identified Zone 17—a key area in front of goal—as the prime location where strikers should be to maximize scoring opportunities. Although this sounds commons sense, only the best strikers have a high appearance rate in this zone 17.
The Importance of Zone 17
Our data shows that crosses aimed at Zone 17 result in a shot or goal 27% of the time, while crosses outside this area see a drastic drop in success rate to just 4%. This massive difference highlights how crucial a striker’s positioning is when attacking a cross.
By analyzing striker movement, we’ve ranked the players ( Eredivisie, Jupiler Pro League and Premier league) who are most frequently positioned in Zone 17 during a cross. Unsurprisingly, names like Erling Haaland, Luuk de Jong, and Chris Wood—players renowned for their exceptional positioning—feature in the top 20 of this ranking. Their presence in this area gives their teams a major advantage in converting crosses into goal-scoring chances.
(Eredivisie, Jupiler Pro League and Premier league)
How to track this with MyGamePlan
To determine how often a striker is positioned in Zone 17 during a cross, we use positional data of players combined with a specifically defined area on the pitch—Zone 17. By tracking player movements and locations at the moment a cross is delivered, we calculate the percentage of times a striker is in the optimal position. Benchmarking against selected competitions allows us to identify which strikers excel in positioning themselves correctly and making the most of crossing opportunities.
The Link Between Successful Crosses and Striker Positioning
This discovery led us to investigate whether teams that generate the most shot- or goal-ending crosses also have strikers who frequently position themselves in Zone 17. The findings reinforce our initial hypothesis:
- RKC Waalwijk, who have both their strikers in the top 10 for Zone 17 positioning, rank among the most successful teams at turning crosses into shots or goals. 29% of their crosses this season end in a shot or goal.
- Manchester City, with Haaland in the top 3 for Zone 17 positioning, also ranks among the best in cross efficiency. With a percentage of 27, 84 out of 308 crosses, Manchester City rank 3rd in the Premier League.
- FC Utrecht, featuring two strikers in the top 20 for positioning, is among the top 15 teams in cross efficiency and fourth best team in the Eredivisie.
- Chelsea, Feyenoord, and Everton, all of whom boast well-positioned strikers, also perform well in cross conversion. Respectively 26% for Chelsea, 25% for Feyenoord and an impressive 30% for Everton.
This clear relation suggests that having a striker in Zone 17 is a key factor in a team's ability to capitalize on crosses.
One Striker or Two? The Impact of a Two-Striker System
Another interesting trend emerges when looking at teams that employ a two-striker system. Clubs like RKC Waalwijk and Sint-Truiden, who frequently play with two forwards, are also among the top 10 teams for cross success. This raises an important question: Does having an extra striker in the box increase the effectiveness of crosses?
While further analysis is needed, the data suggests that a second striker increases the number of attacking options, making it harder for defenders to mark key areas, including Zone 17. This could explain why teams deploying a two-striker setup tend to convert a higher percentage of their crosses into goal-scoring opportunities.
Still, only two teams in the top 10 use a two-striker system, suggesting that having a single true threat in the box can be nearly as effective as playing with two forwards. However, no matter how productive a striker may be, we cannot underestimate the importance of cross quality in determining success.
Conclusion
The data is clear: positioning matters. Strikers who consistently position themselves in Zone 17 give their teams a significant edge when it comes to capitalizing on crosses. Teams that excel in cross conversion tend to have well-positioned strikers, and those using a two-striker system might further benefit from the added presence in the box.
At MyGamePlan, we continue to uncover these tactical insights to help teams optimize their attacking strategies. With detailed metrics and performance tracking, clubs can analyze their strikers’ movement patterns and improve cross efficiency—turning more deliveries into decisive goals.
