Setting Up in High 2-3
Start in a high 2-3 alignment: both guards up top, one wing out to the side, one big on the block, and the other at the high post. Either guard can start the play with an entry pass to the wing.
The Crossing Cuts
After the entry pass, both guards cut off the high-post screener toward the opposite block, one right after the other — the first guard always cuts first, with the second following close behind. The wing who threw the pass watches both cutters and looks to hit either one for an open layup underneath.
Reloading the Top of the Key
If neither cutter is open, the possession keeps moving: the block player cuts to the top of the key using the high post as a screen, while the first crossing guard pops out wide to the opposite wing. The ball swings from the wing to the top of the key and back out to that popped-out guard — three quick passes that completely reset the defense's shape.
The Flex Read and the Fallback
The moment the ball reaches the wing again, the original passer cuts baseline off a flex screen, looking for a return pass and an easy layup underneath. If that isn't open, the two remaining bigs set a staggered down screen for the last guard, who pops all the way out to the top of the key for the shot.
Coaching Points
The high-post screener must hold his position throughout — since three different cutters use him as a screen, drifting even a step risks a moving-screen call.
Whenever possible, the first pass to the wing should go to the player you most want coming off the late flex screen — that assignment is set from the opening pass.
When to Use It
X-Cross is a good possession-long call when you want to probe a defense with several different actions in one look rather than committing early to a single read — there is a genuine shot available at almost every stage.