Kristian Ferrell
The chest pass is one of the first skills a young basketball player learns, and it is the most basic pass. It is a quick way to get the ball to your teammate as it travels in a straight line. To perform a chest pass, you place both hands on either side of the ball, forming an oval with your thumbs and index fingers. You then bring the ball close to your chest and push it out towards your target, stepping towards them at the same time. You should always keep your eyes on the target to improve accuracy, but this can give away your intentions to the defence, so sometimes it is better to look in one direction and pass in another.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of pass | Basic pass, two-handed and one-handed |
| When to use | When in-bounding the ball, for quick breaks down the court |
| How to throw | Start with the ball at waist level, push it with your left hand towards the right side, wrap it around your torso, grasp with your right hand, bring your elbow back and push towards the target from behind your back |
| Accuracy | High |
| Speed | High |
| Distance | Not ideal for long distances |
| Target | Aim for the torso or "shot pocket" |
| Eyes | Keep eyes on the target to improve accuracy, but this may allow the defence to predict your pass |
| Feet | Place feet parallel, shoulder-width apart, take a step forward as you pass, push off the back foot |
| Follow-through | Ensure proper follow-through for accuracy and power |
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What You'll Learn
Two-handed chest pass
The two-handed chest pass is the most basic pass in basketball. It is accurate and can be thrown over long distances.
To execute a two-handed chest pass, start by placing both hands on either side of the ball, with your fingers spread out and an oval formed between the thumbs and index fingers of each hand. Bring the ball close to your chest, with your elbows tucked in, and push it out towards your target, stepping towards them at the same time. The flight of the ball should follow the direction of your foot.
It is important to always keep your eyes on the target to improve accuracy. However, this can also give away your passing intentions to the defence. To throw off your opponent, try looking in one direction and then passing in another.
The chest pass is best used when passing to a stationary teammate. When passing to a teammate on the move, it is crucial to predict where they will be and pass to that spot to avoid placing the pass behind them.
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One-handed chest pass
The chest pass is the most basic pass in basketball. There are two types of chest passes: two-handed and one-handed. This guide will focus on the one-handed chest pass.
The one-handed chest pass is primarily used when players are not tightly guarded by a defender. To execute the pass, start with the ball at your chest and take a step toward your teammate. As you step, extend your arm away from your chest and flick your wrist so that your thumb points down and your palm faces out. This action will fling the ball toward your teammate. Aim to throw the ball so that your teammate can catch it at chest level.
The one-handed chest pass is likely used more commonly than the two-handed version because of its versatility. With this pass, you can feed the post, swing the ball around the perimeter, or throw a backdoor pass to a cutting teammate. It is also easier to execute when a defender is guarding you closely, as you can use your body to shield the ball while you pass with your opposite hand.
To improve your passing, it is important to step toward your intended target as you throw the ball. This technique helps ensure that the flight of the ball follows the direction of your foot. Additionally, using your wrist to fling the ball with velocity will help you throw crisp passes.
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Accuracy and power
To improve accuracy, it is important to keep your eyes on the target, which is usually the torso or "shot pocket" of your teammate. However, this can also give away your passing intention to the defence, so an advanced skill is to look in one direction and pass in another, known as the "no-look" pass. This will decrease the chance of the ball being intercepted.
Accuracy is also improved by stepping towards your intended target as you pass, so the flight of the ball follows the direction of your foot. This also helps to generate power. To generate even more power, place your feet parallel to each other, shoulder-width apart, and push off your back foot as you pass. The toes of your front foot should be pointing towards your target.
The chest pass is best used for passes over a short distance, as it is the quickest way to get the ball to your teammate. Over longer distances, it is difficult to keep the chest pass hard and flat. It is also not ideal for close-range passes, as it can be difficult for your teammate to handle and easier to intercept.
The chest pass is an accurate pass, but other types of passes may be more suitable depending on the situation. For example, if you are covered by a defender, a normal chest pass can be difficult, so a bounce pass or overhead pass might be more effective.
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Court awareness
Scanning the Court: Keep your head up and regularly scan the court to identify open teammates and potential passing lanes. Peripheral vision plays a vital role in making accurate passes. By widening your field of vision, you can spot passing opportunities and anticipate the movements of both your teammates and defenders.
Distance and Velocity: Assess the distance between yourself and the intended receiver. The chest pass is most effective when the receiver is not too far away, as the standard speed and velocity of the pass may be insufficient for longer distances. Adjust your passing strategy accordingly, considering alternative pass types such as the overhead pass for greater speed and power.
Defensive Pressure: Evaluate the defensive pressure applied by the on-ball defender. The chest pass is best utilised when the defender is not exerting an above-average amount of pressure. If a defender is closely guarding you, using your body to shield the ball while passing with your opposite hand can provide more protection.
Passing Accuracy: Aim for your teammate's chest area to ensure accurate passing. The chest pass is designed for the ball to fly through the air, allowing your teammate to catch it at chest level. This technique helps maintain control and facilitates smooth ball movement.
Passing Drills: Engage in passing drills to enhance your court awareness and passing accuracy. Partner up and practice chest passes at varying distances, gradually increasing the challenge. Form a circle with players spaced apart and emphasise quick ball movement while maintaining proper spacing. These drills improve your ability to assess passing options and execute chest passes effectively.
By incorporating these court awareness techniques into your chest passing strategy, you will improve your decision-making, reduce the risk of turnovers, and create more scoring opportunities for your team.
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Faking out the defence
Firstly, understand the importance of eye movement. If your teammate is wide open, eye movement is less significant. However, when passing to a closely guarded teammate, use your eyes to deceive the defender. Make the defender think you are passing in a different direction by looking one way and passing the other. This tactic is particularly effective against zone defences.
Next, master the dribble handoff. If your teammate's defender is over-helping on you, dribble into their defender and pitch the ball back to your teammate for an open shot. If the defender is anticipating the handoff, fake the handoff and attack the basket instead.
Additionally, vary your passing techniques. When under defensive pressure, it is challenging to execute the perfect two-handed chest pass. In such situations, opt for a one-handed pass to a teammate on the same side for quick ball movement. Alternatively, use a bounce pass, which can be effective in heavily defended areas as it passes low by the defender, making it harder to intercept. You can also fake a chest pass and then execute an overhead pass, or vice versa, to confuse defenders.
Finally, practice deception with your body movement. When a defender is closely guarding you, use your body to shield the ball from them while simultaneously using your opposite hand to make the pass. This technique helps protect the ball from being intercepted.
By implementing these strategies, you can improve your ability to fake out the defence when performing chest passes, increasing the likelihood of successful passes and creating more scoring opportunities for your team.
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Frequently asked questions
The chest pass is a basic pass in basketball, thrown in a straight line at chest height. It is one of the first things a young basketball player learns.
To do a two-handed chest pass, place both hands on either side of the ball, spread your fingers out and form an oval between the thumbs and index fingers of each hand. Bring the ball close to your chest, then push it out towards your target, stepping towards them at the same time.
The chest pass is the quickest way to get the ball to your teammate. However, it is easier to intercept and not ideal for long distances or close range.
