Basketball · Ball handling

Crossover and change of pace

Dribblers slow down, cross over low and burst past cones, then beat a live defender and finish at the rim.

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Start / 5
Time
12 min
Players
4–12
Age
U10+
Area
Half court
Equipment
6 basketballs (size 6)4 cones

Setup

  1. Two cones in a zig-zag from halfway toward the basket, a few metres apart.
  2. A line at halfway with a ball each; one defender waits at the top of the key.

How it runs

  1. At the first cone, slow down, then cross the ball low to the other hand and burst away.
  2. At the second cone, hesitate (sell the stop), then cross back and attack the defender.
  3. The defender shows to one side; the dribbler crosses away from them and finishes with a lay-up.
  4. Dribbler becomes the defender, defender goes to the back of the line.

Coaching points

  • Slow to fast: the change of pace beats the defender, not the crossover alone.
  • Cross low and tight, below the knee, from one hand straight to the other.
  • Eyes up on the defender, not on the ball.
  • Push off the outside foot and lead with the shoulder past the defender's hip.

Common mistakes

  • Crossing wide and high, so the ball is easy to poke away.
  • Running at one speed the whole way.
  • Carrying the ball by turning the palm under it on the crossover.

Say it: “Slow, low cross, go.”

Make it harder

  • The defender plays live from the second cone.
  • Add a between-the-legs or behind-the-back change at the first cone.

Make it easier

  • No defender: just cones and a lay-up.
  • Walk-jog pace, with a stop at each cone before the crossover.

Pairs well with

Reviewed by the Sportdify coaching team.