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Passing is an underrated skill in basketball, with players often focusing on shooting and ballhandling instead. However, being a good passer can make your team more successful and help you get noticed by coaches and teammates. To become a better passer, it's important to understand the strategy behind the game and know where your teammates should be and how they will move. You should also be able to read defenses to exploit their weaknesses and use your body language to deceive defenders. In addition, practicing different types of passes and release points, such as one-handed and two-handed passes, can improve your accuracy and control. Passing drills, such as overload drills and the Bennett drill, can also help build speed, strength, and accuracy. Lastly, it's crucial to make the easy pass to an open teammate rather than always trying to force a great pass.
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What You'll Learn
Pass with both hands
Passing with both hands is a fundamental skill in basketball, and one that should not be overlooked. It is important to practice passing with both your dominant and non-dominant hands. This will build strength and confidence, and also keep defenders guessing.
Passing with both hands allows for a wider variety of passes, and the ability to pass from different angles and release points. For example, you can pass from down by your knee, above your head, or across your body. The more variety you have in your passing, the more dangerous you will be as a player.
To practice, find a partner and work on different passing angles and release points. You can also do overload drills, such as two-ball passing drills, to build speed and accuracy. Pound Passing is another good drill, as it forces players to use their weak hand.
When passing, it is important to keep things simple and make the easiest pass that will get the job done. This is usually a two-handed pass, as one-handed passes are often errant or difficult to catch. However, there are times when a one-handed pass is the right choice, such as when attacking on a fast break or making a curl-bounce pass into the low post.
Remember, good passing comes from being patient and having control. Stay grounded and make controlled, two-handed passes whenever possible.
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Look up and survey the floor
Looking up and surveying the floor is a crucial aspect of becoming a better passer in basketball. Here are some detailed instructions and tips to keep in mind:
Scan the Court
When you have possession of the ball, make sure to look up and scan the entire court. This means not only observing your teammates' positions but also anticipating their next moves. Understand the strategy and movement of the game as if you were the coach. See where your teammates are supposed to be and how they will move based on where you pass the ball. This will help you make more accurate and timely passes.
Anticipate Teammates' Movements
As you dribble, constantly look up and anticipate where your teammates are moving. This will allow you to get the ball to them quickly, maintaining their momentum and rhythm. Passing the ball late can ruin opportunities for shots, as it gives the defence more time to react. Therefore, being aware of your teammates' movements and passing ahead of them is crucial.
Understand Defences
Part of surveying the floor effectively involves understanding how to read defences. Learn to identify weaknesses in the opposing team's defence and exploit them with your passes. Use your body language to deceive defenders and create passing lanes. This strategic aspect of the game will enhance your passing abilities and overall court vision.
Practice Patience
Passing requires patience. While it's important to sprint up the court, recognise when a fast-break lay-up is not possible. In such cases, bring the ball back out and run the offence. Avoid making hasty decisions, such as jumping into the air for a pass, as this can often result in turnovers. Stay grounded and make controlled passes.
Communicate with Teammates
Effective communication with your teammates is vital. Teach your teammates to use hand signals, holding up a hand as a target for your pass. This helps to avoid miscommunication and ensures that the pass is delivered when your teammate is ready to receive it. Clear communication enhances your passing accuracy and overall team performance.
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Make the simple pass
Making the simple pass is one of the most important aspects of basketball, and often the best pass is the straightforward, two-handed pass to an open teammate. This type of pass is more likely to be completed and will maintain the momentum of the play. It is also important to be patient and not rush a pass, which can often lead to a turnover.
When making the simple pass, it is crucial to pass to the open man or woman. This will ensure the pass is completed and will create more opportunities for your team. Look for the next available teammate who is open and pass to them, rather than attempting a risky pass through traffic. By making the simple pass, you will become a better passer than most players, as it is an underrated skill that is often overlooked.
To execute the simple pass effectively, it is important to pass with both hands to ensure control and accuracy. One-handed passes are more difficult to catch and can be errant. However, there are situations where a one-handed pass is appropriate, such as a curl-bounce pass into the low post or during a fast break. Practicing different types of passes and release points will improve your passing ability and make you a more versatile player.
Additionally, it is beneficial to learn how to pass fake, as this can open up passing lanes and make your passing less predictable. Bob Knight, a renowned basketball coach, emphasizes the importance of pass fakes and shot fakes as fundamental skills that are often overlooked. By faking a pass in one direction, you can shift the defense and create an opening for your intended pass.
Finally, when making the simple pass, it is crucial to be aware of your teammates' positions and anticipate their movements. Pass to where your teammate will be, not directly to them. Understand the strategy and tactics of the game, and learn how to read defenses to exploit their weaknesses. By making the simple pass and understanding the game, you will become a more effective and well-rounded passer.
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Improve with drills
Passing is an underrated skill in basketball, with players often focusing more on shooting and ballhandling. However, it is an essential skill to develop, and one that can be improved through various drills.
One important aspect to focus on is the ability to pass from different angles and release points. This can be practised with a partner, working on passing from down by your knee, above your head, across your body, and with either hand. The more variety you can offer, the more dangerous you become as a passer.
Another key area to focus on is accuracy. Overload drills can help build speed and accuracy, with players using two balls and passing simultaneously. Drills that force players to use their weak hand, such as Pound Passing, will also help build strength and confidence.
It is also important to learn to pass to the open man. Many players try to force risky passes that have a low chance of success. Instead, players should focus on making the easy pass to an open teammate, away from defenders. This simple strategy will make your team much more successful.
Finally, players should learn to pass-fake. This is an underutilised skill that can be very effective in opening up passing lanes. By faking a pass in one direction, you can shift the defence and create an opportunity for your teammates.
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Understand the strategy
Understanding the strategy of basketball is a key aspect of becoming a better passer. It is important to know where your teammates are supposed to be and how they will move depending on where the ball goes. Learn to read defenses to determine where the ball should go to exploit their weaknesses and create better passing angles. For example, a player on the wing can open up a passing lane into the low post by making one dribble either left or right before passing inside.
Additionally, learn how to deceive defenders with your body language. Good passers can often "look" a defender off to open a passing lane. A pass that hits a teammate in the shooting pocket is much more likely to result in a made basket than a pass that is by their ankles, above their head, or behind them. Therefore, it is crucial to pass ahead of where your teammate is going to be, maintaining their momentum.
It is also important to understand the value of making simple passes. While some players may attempt "great" passes through traffic, these often have a low chance of success. Instead, focus on making the easy, two-handed pass to an open teammate, away from defenders. This will help your team be more successful and will also build your confidence as a passer.
Passing fakes can also be an effective strategy. By faking a pass in another direction, you can get the defense to shift, opening up the intended passing lane. This helps to avoid "telegraphing" your passes, making your moves less predictable.
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