The Crossover Spin Move in Basketball
Allen Iverson is a master of it. Chris Paul takes it to a new level. Michael Jordan used to make people fall from it. It's one of the deadliest moves in basketball--the cross over. Although basketball purists sometimes detest it because of the blur between ball control and carrying, the cross over is a well-respected tactic in getting a defender out of your way, clearing space to the basket. Learn how a cross over is done, but don't expect to beat Allen Iverson just yet.
- Difficulty:
- Moderate
Instructions
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1
Dribble the ball with your dominant hand in front of your opponent. Don't dribble it directly in front of him, where he can reach out and slap it. Just don't dribble with your back to him. This is best done at the perimeter of the court. While you are dribbling, angle your body to where it is slightly between him and the ball. For the sake of the article, the right hand as the dominant hand.
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2
Drift forward and the right with your dribble, taking small steps. As you sense your opponent is moving his weight even further that way, prepare your body to go left, but don't go just yet. You almost have to bait your opponent into either going for a steal towards the right or at least try to block you. You can do this by dribbling slightly higher than normal or "selling" the move right by aiming your eyes or body in that direction.
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3
Quickly dribble the ball low and to your left once your opponent has either committed to going right, is off balance, or is flat footed. At the same time, step with your left foot and try to go around him on his left side. By doing this, you put your body between him and the ball and you are going around him, making him twice as likely to foul you, be completely out of position or both.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Improve your chances with a successful cross over by playing mind games. In a regulated game, you can look your opponent dead in the eye and cause him to be antsy. On the playground, do a little smack talking that requires him to think or respond to you. Make sure your smack talk is clean and quick or else you'll be concentrating so hard he steals the ball.
