How To Execute a Crossover Dribble

Throughout the history of basketball, the ability to effectively handle the basketball has always been very important. Being able to dictate your movements on the basketball court without committing any violations to the rules of the game has become a main focus while attempting to learn how to play the sport.  You may watch a NBA game and see your favorite players like Lebron James and Kobe Bryant handle the basketball effortlessly and you may even get motivated by their abilities to try to do the same. Well in this post, I’ll be able to jumpstart you on the “road to NBA like handling ability” by giving you a clear and precise How-To guide on a crossover dribble. No I am not guaranteeing that after following my steps that you will initially be as great as the NBA stars, but if you put in years of practicing from my steps then maybe you can be just as great or even greater.

Step 1: Dominant Dribble

Dribble the ball with your dominant hand, on the dominant side of your body. For example, if you shoot right handed and feel more natural dribbling the ball right handed, view this as your dominant hand.  Use small, calculated steps as you step up to give you time to take in the defender’s position.

Step 2: Pause and Step
When you are within roughly three to four steps of the defender, pause and make one forward movement with the foot opposite of your dominant hand.

Step 3: The Persuasive Push
Push off the same opposite foot, while moving your body towards your dominant hand. Keeping a low center of gravity and somewhat lowering your dominant shoulder should make your defender believe in your "make believe" direction.

Step 4: Offset Your Own Momentum
Once you’ve gotten to this point, you will need to aggressively push off of your dominant foot, and then step to the side with your other foot. This specific step is most effective when you notice that your opponent is off balance. A huge part of learning how to do a crossover is being able to read the slight signals and movements demonstrated by the defender.

Step 5: The Switch of The Hands
You should then use a quick, low and hard dribble to switch the ball from your dominant hand to your other hand. This should be done directly in front of the defender, but also keeping the ball as close to your body as possible to avoid a turnover/steal. This will make the separation needed to attack the basket or just to get past the defender.

Step 6: Creating space to get to the basket
After creating the appropriate space between you and the defender, push off your non dominant foot towards the rim. As you push off, your dominant foot should be taking a giant step aligned with your opponent. Placing your striding foot as close as comfortably possible to the defender will keep them from reentering your driving lane. The defender’s attention should be in the opposite direction as you blow by him, leaving him confused and puzzled.

Here is a brief video of the move step by step for those of who need a visual aid as well:

I believe that practicing these steps that I have outlined will help develop you into a great ball handler and if you practice hard enough you may end up being one of the best to ever do it. I truly hope my how-to effectively do a crossover guide benefits you who dare to try it. Keep in mind that no matter how effortlessly Lebron James makes it look, he too had to start by using a similar guide. “THE SKY’S THE LIMIT”!!!