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Passing in basketball is an underrated skill that can be the difference between winning and losing. It is a fundamental aspect of the game that can create influential playmakers and help players understand the ins and outs of the game. Passing is often overlooked by players who focus on shooting and ballhandling, but it is a skill that can be honed through drills and practice. By focusing on passing fundamentals, players can improve their ability to work as a team and make better decisions. This involves knowing who to pass to, when to pass, and how to create better passing angles. Passing drills can help players build speed, accuracy, and strength, while also improving their court awareness and understanding of defensive concepts.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Passing technique | Chest pass, bounce pass, overhead pass, wrap-around pass, behind-the-back pass, air pass |
| Passing drills | Machine Gun Passing, Middle Man Passing, Pass & Switch, Partner Passing, Pound Passing |
| Passing form | Hold the ball at chest level, with elbows tight to the torso |
| Passing strategy | Pass to the open man, make the easy pass, emphasise the catch, pass fakes |
| Passing distance | Teach players the optimum distance for effective passing, shorten the pass if necessary |
| Passing in games | Pass to a capable player in transition, understand defensive concepts and weak spots |
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What You'll Learn
Learn the fundamentals of passing
Passing is one of the most underrated skills in basketball, with players often spending more time working on their shooting and ballhandling skills. However, focusing on the fundamentals of passing can greatly improve your overall game.
To begin, it is important to understand the two main types of passes: the air pass and the bounce pass. The air pass travels directly between players without touching the floor, while the bounce pass is thrown with the same motion but aimed at the floor so that it bounces to the receiver.
From here, you can start practising different variations of these passes. The chest pass, for example, starts from the chest with both hands on the sides of the ball and elbows tight to the torso. The overhead pass is used for long distances and quick breaks, and is performed by bringing the ball above your head and pushing it towards your target from behind your back. The wrap-around pass involves stepping around the defence with your non-pivot foot.
Passing drills are a great way to improve your skills. You can do these alone with a wall or fence, or with a partner. Practise different types of passes, such as the behind-the-back pass, over-spins, and the wrap-around pass. To build speed and strength, try overload drills like Machine Gun Passing, Middle Man Passing, and Pass & Switch with two balls.
Finally, when it comes to passing in a game, keep it simple. Look for open teammates and make the easy pass. Don't force a risky pass when an ordinary pass will do. Understand the situation and the capabilities of your teammates, and adjust your passes accordingly.
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Know when and where to pass
Passing is one of the most underrated skills in basketball. It is often overlooked and under-emphasised, with players spending more time honing their shooting and ballhandling skills. However, focusing on the fundamentals of passing and incorporating it into your early training is crucial to improving your overall game.
To become great at passing, it is essential to know when and where to pass the ball. This skill comes with experience and understanding the game. Firstly, recognise the importance of passing to an open teammate. Instead of attempting a risky pass through traffic, opt for a simpler pass to an available teammate. This basic strategy will improve your team's performance and make you a better passer than most. Even "gifted" passers rely on making the easy pass.
It is also crucial to know your teammates' capabilities. Understand their strengths and weaknesses, and adjust your passes accordingly. For example, avoid passing to a big man in transition who may not be good off the dribble. Instead, quickly pass to a player capable of making good decisions on the move. Similarly, avoid passing to a shooting guard who is quick to shoot in situations where a shot is not desirable.
Passing accurately to your teammates also requires understanding their positions and the defensive setup. Passing to a teammate on your left, for instance, can be more advantageous as it forces the defence to shift positions, creating more scoring opportunities. Additionally, pass fakes can be effective in getting the defence to move, creating openings for your teammates.
Finally, be mindful of the optimum passing distance and the types of passes you can make. Practice various passes like the chest pass, bounce pass, overhead pass, and wrap-around pass, and know when to use each one effectively.
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Practice passing drills
Passing is one of the most underrated skills in basketball, often overlooked by players who focus on shooting and ballhandling. However, it is a fundamental skill that can greatly improve your game and understanding of basketball. Here are some passing drills to help you become a great passer:
Stationary Drills
Find a wall, a fence, or any surface that can bounce the ball back to you. Start with basic passes, such as chest passes, bounce passes, and overhead passes. Practice your technique and aim to improve accuracy. You can control the distance and speed of the return by moving closer or farther from the wall.
Overload Drills
These drills use two balls to build speed and accuracy. Try drills like Machine Gun Passing, Middle Man Passing, Pass & Switch, and Partner Passing, where both partners pass simultaneously. You can also try one-hand passing drills, like Pound Passing, to build strength and confidence in your weak hand.
Passing Angles
Learn to create better passing angles with drills like 2 on 1, feeding the post, the drive and kick, and entering the ball to the wing. Understanding passing angles will help you find open teammates and make successful passes.
Passing Fakes
Passing fakes are a great way to manipulate the defense and create openings for your teammates. Practice this move by faking a pass in one direction and then quickly passing to an open teammate in another direction. This will keep the defense guessing and improve your playmaking abilities.
Court Awareness
Passing drills should also focus on improving your court awareness. Understand when to pass to which teammate, and adjust your delivery and velocity accordingly. For example, if you receive a pass from your right, the "correct" pass is often to a teammate on your left, as it forces the defense to shift positions, creating scoring opportunities.
Passing drills are a great way to improve your skills and become a more valuable teammate. Remember to focus on the fundamentals, be aware of your teammates' positions, and always look for the open man to make the easy pass.
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Understand defensive concepts
Understanding defensive concepts is crucial to becoming a great passer in basketball. Here are some tips to improve your passing skills by focusing on defensive concepts:
Firstly, it is important to recognise the value of passing and to view it as an unselfish act that involves your teammates. Passing is not just something you do when you don't have a shot; it is a powerful tool to create opportunities for your teammates and should be a central part of your gameplay. Train yourself to pass to the open man, and you will instantly be better than most players.
Secondly, understand the different types of passes and when to use them. There are two main types of passes: Air Passes and Bounce Passes. Air Passes travel directly between players without touching the floor, while Bounce Passes are aimed at the floor and should bounce waist-high to the receiver. Variations of these include chest passes, overhead passes, wrap-around passes, and more. Knowing which pass to use in a given situation is key to outmaneuvering the defense.
Additionally, pass fakes are a great way to manipulate the defense. A pass fake involves getting the defense to move to block a pass in one area, leaving an opening for you to pass to a teammate. This technique is especially useful against a zone defense or when entering the ball into the post.
Finally, understand the weak spots of different defenses and stay one play ahead. Recognise which teammates to pass to and when, and adjust your delivery and velocity accordingly. For example, avoid passing to a big man in transition who may not be good off the dribble. Instead, pass to a player capable of making good decisions in transition. Keep the defense moving and adjusting, as this will create more quality scoring opportunities for your team.
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Pass to an open teammate
Passing is one of the most under-taught and under-appreciated skills in basketball, with players often neglecting to work on it and instead focusing on shooting and ballhandling. However, passing is a fundamental skill in a team sport like basketball, and players who can pass well are invaluable to their teams.
Passing to an open teammate is a simple yet critical skill at all levels of basketball. Too often, players try to force a pass to a covered teammate, when they could have passed to an open teammate instead. By passing to an open teammate, you create an easy opportunity for them to receive the ball away from the defence, and this will make your team much more successful.
To execute a good pass, it is important to understand the different types of passes and when to use them. For example, an overhead pass is great for launching the ball a long distance or for a quick break down the court, but it is harder to be accurate with this type of pass. In this case, it is best to aim for your teammate's chin or chest area. On the other hand, a bounce pass is thrown with the same motion but aimed at the floor, bouncing waist-high to the receiver.
Passing drills are a great way to improve your passing skills and get in a lot of practice. Drills such as Machine Gun Passing, Middle Man Passing, Pass & Switch, and Partner Passing with two balls can help build speed and accuracy. It is also important to do drills that force players to use their weak hand, as this will build strength and confidence.
By focusing on passing to an open teammate and improving your passing skills, you will become a valuable asset to your team and improve your understanding of the game.
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