The crossover is one of the most common (and effective) ways to drive to the net and attack the basket. When done correctly, it will get you two points. When done perfectly, it will leave a defender looking like their shoes were tied together. It takes hours of practice to go from doing it correctly to performing it perfectly. But as you hone your crossover, keep these three things in mind.
Read and set up your defender
If you can get a defender to turn their hips the wrong direction, then a defender is toast. However, a disciplined defender will stay active and won’t fall for simple shoulder fakes. So get creative. Pretend a screen is coming. Jamal Crawford has put the ball between his defender’s legs heading left, only to cross him over and finish right. Read your defender’s tendencies and surprise them.
Change speed and use horizontal movement
One way to get a defender out of position is to be unpredictable with your speed and direction. If you want the defender to commit to a direction, you’ve got to make them think you have committed, too. Then, use short, choppy steps to juke your defender. Sometimes what feels like one too many steps to the left can actually free up a world of space to the right.
Have equal dribbling ability in both hands
For right-handers, it’s easiest to crossover from left to right. But that makes you a predictable mark. The key to a good crossover is being unpredictable. So hone your dribbling ability for your off hand. The more sure-handed you are, the more you can expose the ball – so long as you keep your dribble beneath your knees where it’s safe.