Ball Handling Like a Pro – Cross Over Your Defenders

Good point guards such as Allen Iverson were always known for their exceptional ball handling skills.

This ability allowed them to move freely on the court without losing possession or being stripped by defenders.

In addition, protecting the ball when penetrating to the basket is critical since it allows you to finish with a layup (or slam if you can jump high enough) and allows the offense to score from a variety of angles.

I found this amusing video on YouTube that shows some amazing drills you can do to improve your ball handling.

These drills are extremely valuable because they will help you to do one of two critical things:

1) Penetrate to the basket
2) Shake off your defender

1. Penetrate to the Basket

Without the ability to cross over and mislead your defender, it will be nearly impossible to get to the basket and make an easy layup.

In a set game, you will simply have no chance.

Even if you get past your defender, help will still arrive, and if you can’t get past it, you won’t be able to finish.

If you do manage to get to the rim, you will most likely run into the tallest player on the defense, as they are always the ones down low.

Having the skill to penetrate is not enough; you must also have the power in your legs to explode under the rim, otherwise you will simply get blocked.

To do so, improve your vertical jump so that no one can contest on your shot.

2. Shake off Your Defender

When the game is on the line and the clock is ticking, defenses tend to press and tighten their guard.

In order to free yourself from your defender and get to a position where you can shoot, you’ll have to create some space.

The best way to do that is with good dribbling and a killer cross over.

Allen Iverson was an expert at this… He would take the ball, wait until the last 5 seconds, dribble 2 or 3 times, then execute a lethal crossover, take a step back, and bury the shot.

If you want to able to do the same, start with this:

So after you’re done laughing, noticed the level of control this guy has?

Don’t you want it too?

Then hone your handling skills with these exercises.

I used these for a while and they really helped me strengthen my handles… and I’m awful at handling the ball, so if I can do it, anyone can.

More Dribbling Drills

1) 50 Basketball Dribbling Drills | Basketball For Coaches – Coach Mac’s top 50 drills for developing an amazing handle – http://www.basketballforcoaches.com/50-basketball-dribbling-drills/

Last Updated on February 3rd, 2026 by Matthew Godley