Crossovers and tryouts

by Augusta
(canada)

Hi Coach,
I find that usually when I'm playing a guard position, and I try to crossover my defender, it never works and they always know what I plan on doing. I have pretty good ball handling skills - the best on my team - I can go through the legs and behind the back with both hands, and I know how to do a normal crossover but it never works and the defense isn't fooled by it. What am I doing wrong? Also, what should I expect during tryouts and how can I make my high school and club team? I've never tried out for a team before. I got placed on the team I'm on right now because the coach saw me play and thought I had "potential".

Coach Tim says:

"That is great that the coach saw the potential you have and placed you on the team! Congrats. If he/she saw something in you, then you probably do have good potential.

I will start with the tryouts first:

- In most cases expect to be very tired by the end.
- Expect a lot of drills focused on the fundamentals: screens, shooting, ball-handling, passing.
- Expect them to look at your quickness, agility, athleticism, and hustle.
- Expect them to base much of their decision on you raw potential, skill, and athletic ability.
- And lastly, they will be looking for determination, hustle, and the ability to listen and learn as much as skill.
- Between now and then, do everything to improve your individual game, and lastly, learn and study the game through film, the web, or any other resource you can get your hands on, so that no matter what move, drill, or skill they ask you to perform, you know exactly what they are asking for.

Do this, and I would bet it will turn out to be a great experience for you.

Now, as far as advice concerning you cross-over:

It would be hard to tell what the issue is completely without having seen you handle the ball. So my advice will be more in the form of several questions so as maybe to help you pinpoint the problem rather that try to give you an answer without seeing or knowing all the details of how you are dribbling the ball.

First, how high are low do you keep the ball when you are dribbling? Remember, the lower your dribble the more difficult it is to take away. You should dribble the ball as low as you can while still being able to be comfortable in your position as well as maintaining max mobility.

Second, when dribbling the ball up the floor with a defender present on you, are you utilizing your body and free-hand in such a way as to protect the ball previous to the crossover. A player very well may dribble well, but against a good defender if they stick it out there it will get taken.

Third, are you telegraphing(giving away) your next movement with your eyes or head before the move. If so, a good defender will pick up on this, read it, and take the ball as you come across almost every time, because they will know what you are going to do even before you do it.

Finally, I would tell you, in all honesty, not to worry yourself too much, it sounds like you are on the right path. The effective cross-over must be done in one good fluid motion, and executed quickly, to work properly. Practice to get your crossover quicker, and quicker everyday, at home, at school, and in any free time. If you aren't quite there yet, work on your moves, until you get to the place where you can crossover quickly without ever having to look at the ball, and do this switch while going nearly full blast one direction, then coming back to the other.

This is what I can tell you from the info you have given me. I hope it helps, and if there is anything else I can do please feel free to let me know."