by Imy S

Created on: June 13, 2008

A crossover dribble is a basketball maneuver in which a player dribbling the ball, typically a point guard, switches the ball rapidly from one hand to the other. In a typical example the player heads upcourt, dribbling the ball in (say) the left hand, then makes a wide step left with a good head fake. If the defender is deceived, the player can then switch to dribbling with the right hand and pass the defender. When employed near the top of the key, the crossover can allow the player an open short jumper or a clear path to the basket.

In crossover dribbling, you will shift the dribbling from one hand to the other in a flash to trick a defender. It is a very sleek maneuver and if you master this, you will be in a different level than most of the basketball players. You can see many players doing this from under the legs.

You can use this to quickly change the direction in which you are going. For example, if you are dribbling with left hand and moving left, you can quickly change to the right hand and move forward.

There are three types of crossovers.

1) Normal crossover
2) Killer crossover
3) Double crossover

Normal Crossover: In a normal crossover the player quickly changes direction while switching the ball to the opposite hand. This move relies primarily on speed.

Killer Crossover: In this move the player fakes in one direction, generally with a wide step and a head fake and usually from a standstill. The player then switches the dribble to the other hand between his legs and moves in that direction. This is one of the most effective methods of escaping a defender who is guarding closely. It is also popular in streetball because it can cause the defender to lose balance and fall in trying to react too quickly.

Double Crossover: This move can be considered a feigned crossover. The offensive player crosses the ball over (as with a normal or killer crossover) then quickly crosses the ball back to its original position. The double crossover is not aimed at breaking free of the defender so much as causing confusion and breaking the defender's balance.

The original crossover move has been used by point guards for decades in professional and amateur play. Oscar Robertson was known to do the move as early as the 1960's, but Tim Hardaway is credited with popularising the killer crossover in the NBA, while Allen Iverson has popularised the double crossover.

Basketball dribbling can be learned with some good effort and willingness to achieve success. Not many people become great

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