Crossover
A dribbling move in which a ball-handler quickly switches the ball from one hand to the other to change direction and beat a defender.
Definition
The crossover is basketball's signature change-of-direction dribble: the handler pushes the ball low across their body from one hand to the other, timing it with a hard plant and a shift of the hips to accelerate past a defender. Its effectiveness comes from selling one direction with the eyes, shoulders, and first step before exploding the opposite way.
Variations include the between-the-legs and behind-the-back crossovers and the hesitation move. A crossover is only as good as its setup and its follow-up burst; a lazy or high crossover exposes the ball to a steal. The term also appears in skating and athletics for the crossover step, where one leg crosses over the other to build speed around a curve.
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Techniques
- Crossover DribbleA basketball dribbling move that switches the ball quickly from one hand to the other to change direction and get past a defender.
- One-Handed BackhandA backhand groundstroke struck with a single hand on the grip, driving through the ball with a full extension of the hitting arm.
- Jump ShotA basketball shot released at the top of a vertical jump, letting the shooter get the ball over a defender with a soft, arcing release.
- Volleyball SetAn overhead pass using the fingertips of both hands to place the ball accurately for a teammate to attack.
- LayupA close-range basketball shot taken while moving toward the basket, laying the ball softly off the backboard or over the rim.
Skills
- DribblingThe skill of moving with the ball under close control to beat opponents or keep possession.
- Ball controlThe skill of receiving and settling the ball quickly so it is ready to use.
- ReboundingThe basketball skill of gaining the ball after a missed shot.
- ShootingThe skill of striking or releasing the ball toward the goal or basket to score.
- ServingThe skill of putting the ball or shuttle into play to start a point or rally.
Rules
- Double dribbleA basketball violation for dribbling with two hands at once, or for dribbling again after picking up the ball.
- TravelingA basketball violation for moving illegally with the ball without dribbling it.
- Out of boundsThe rule that a ball or player leaving the marked playing area is out of play and possession is decided at the boundary.
- GoaltendingA basketball violation for interfering with a shot while the ball is on its downward path to the basket or above the rim.
- Handball offenceA foul in football committed when an outfield player deliberately handles or controls the ball with the hand or arm.
Tactics
- Pick and rollA two-player basketball action where one player screens for the ball-handler, then rolls to the basket.
- Full-court pressAn aggressive basketball defence that pressures the ball across the whole court to force turnovers.
- Fast breakPushing the ball up court at speed after a turnover or rebound to score before the defence sets up.
- Wing playAttacking down the flanks and crossing the ball into the box to stretch the defence and create chances.
Skills Academy
- Ball-sport skillsThe skills that recur across ball games — control, passing, dribbling, shooting and defending.
- Object-control skillsHandling a ball or implement — controlling, receiving, passing and moving it with intent.
- Team-play skillsThe skills that make a team work — combining, covering and communicating through the ball.
Movement patterns
- Crossover StepA lateral or diagonal travelling step in which one leg crosses over the other with accompanying hip and trunk rotation, trading a stable base for greater reach and speed.
- Change of DirectionA planned redirection of the body from one movement vector to another, requiring an athlete to decelerate existing momentum and reaccelerate along a new line between two known points.
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- Tier A — evergreen educational
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- Content updated
- 2026-08-04
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