Crossover dribble
A crossover dribble is a maneuver in the game of basketball. A generalised definition of the crossover is that it is in essence a directional change. Variations on how it is done can stem from whether it involves a directional fake before the change or sheer speed in motion. The basic move involves the offensive player switching dribbling of the ball with the left hand to the right hand and vice versa. A common scenario in which this technique is used in a game is when the player heads upcourt, dribbling the ball in the left hand, then makes a wide step left with a good head fake. If the defender is deceived, the player switches to dribbling with his right hand and explodes. The maneuver is best employed near the top of the key so the player can be free of the defender and be able to take the jumper or go to the basket. Point guards employ this technique the most.
There are three basic types of the crossovers: the normal, the killer, and the double.
- Normal Crossover: A normal crossover is a quick direction change while switching the ball to the opposite hand. Instead of utilising a fake to escape from a defender this move relies primarily on speed.
- Killer Crossover: Like a regular crossover, except it involves a directional fake and is usually initiated from a standstill position. the person performing the crossover fakes movement in one direction while goes another. This move is very common in isolated player versus defender situations as it is one of the most effective methods of escaping the defender who is guarding the player closely. The move is also popular in streetball because it can cause the defender to lose his balance, and fall to the floor due to trying to react too quickly to the directional change.
- Double Crossover: This move can be considered to be a feigned crossover. The offensive player crosses the ball over (performing either one of the aforementioned versions of the crossover) then quickly brings the ball back to its original position instead of exploiting the potentially deceived defender. In essence performing two crossovers (the latter crossover rarely if ever involves a directional fake). The objective of this technique differs from the previously mentioned ones. The objective of the double crossover is not to break free of the defender as much as to confuse them and break the defender's balance.
The original crossover move has been utilised by point guards for decades in professional and amateur play. Tim Hardaway is credited to have popularized the killer crossover move in the NBA while Allen Iverson has popularized the double crossover.
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