Also known as an ankle-breaker, a cross over is a dribbling technique used to create space between you and your opposing defender. This move requires you to do a trick move to one side and let the opposing defender follow you before you bounce the ball into the other hand when the defender is off guard. This will throw opposing defenders off balance and out of position and you can easily shoot, pass, or pass. Popularized by stars such as Allen Iverson, Tim Hardaway, Pearl Washington, and Deron Williams, this move can become your go-to weapon if you practice it. The following tips will help improve your balance, technique, and ability to perform deadly cross overs. These hints will also teach you to improve your skills.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Performing the Basic Cross Over Gerakan
Step 1. Improve your dribbling skills
Before you try a cross over, make sure you have good control when dribbling. A good crossover requires you to dribble with both hands alternately and be able to make breakthroughs in both directions.
Step 2. Perform a feint move in the dominant direction
To perform a trick that looks real, push the ball toward your dribble. Focus on the waist of the opposing defender rather than the hands and feet of the opposing defender. When the opposing player's waist rotates in the same direction as when you make a feint in one direction, then your feint is successful.
You can also do a trick move towards the non-dominant side and bounce back to your dominant side and make a through dribble towards your dominant. Let the opposing defenders have a hard time guessing the direction
Step 3. Do a hesitate dribble
This is a very important part when doing a cross over. When the ball bounces up, some players will make small jumps, looking as if you want to do a breakthrough dribble. The ball will be in the palm of your hand at a time like this, and your moves are more of a trick than a dribble.
Watch a video of some professional players crossing over to practice imitating their moves. Be careful not to get hold of the ball or you will be subject to a dribbling foul
Step 4. Keep your posture low and wide
Since this move requires you to bounce the ball between you and the opposing defender, you should keep your posture low and place your feet in front of your dominant side. Allen Iverson is a player who can keep a great distance between the ball and himself but still has complete control over the ball's bounce. You should look like you want to go in a certain direction to fool your opponent. Don't open up space for your opponent to steal the ball.
Don't look at the ball when you do this move. Keep your eyes on your opponent and the position of the players on the field, paying attention to empty spaces, teammates and opportunities
Step 5. Bounce the ball in the opposite direction
When you manage to get the opposing defender to move in the direction you want, quickly bounce the ball towards the opposing hand. That way, you will escape your opponent's guard and can make a shot or pass to a teammate. This will only last a moment, so make sure you act quickly as soon as you bounce the ball. Practice this move over and over so you can do it perfectly!
Method 2 of 2: Performing Movement Variations
Step 1. Bounce the ball behind your body
Instead of having to bounce the ball between you and an opposing defender, which can be dangerous, bounce the ball behind your body to change the direction of the dribble. This movement uses your body to protect the ball from being stolen by opposing players and can confuse opposing players.
Practice dribbling behind your back before doing this variation. This move is a bit difficult because you can't see the ball while dribbling
Step 2. Dribbling between the legs
Another way to protect the ball from opposing defenders is to dribble between the legs. Usually this move is done by bouncing the ball from the non-dominant hand to the dominant hand between the legs, but you can also improvise yourself.
Try doing a back-to-front movement, from the non-dominant side to the dominant side as your dribble hesitate, do a feint to your dominant side and then move it again to the opposite side through your legs
Step 3. Do a double cross over
If you've done too many cross overs and the opposing defender can read your moves by not moving to the position you want, bounce back to the starting hand and do a breakthrough dribble in the direction you previously did to deceive your opponent. This move often causes defenders to lose balance and fall, and this move is also known as an "ankle-breaker".
Step 4. Use your creativity
Try some combinations of the moves you've learned to improve your skills. The cross over isn't that great and is just a quick dribble, but once you get the hang of it, your skills will go beyond limits.
Tips
- Remember to lower your shoulders when you're doing a trick to make your moves look real and trick opposing players.
- If you bounce the ball below your knee, your opponent's chances of stealing the ball are less.
- Position your hands in front of the ball to prevent an opposing player from stealing the ball, as the opposing player will commit a foul if he forces himself to steal the ball by touching your hand.
- If you lose focus, opposing players can steal the ball from you.
