Helena Frye
Passing is a fundamental skill in basketball, and some of the best players in history, such as Magic Johnson, are known for their passing ability. There are several types of passes in basketball, including chest passes, overhead passes, bounce passes, and behind-the-back passes. To correctly pass a basketball, it is important to have a good grip on the ball and to be able to pass without always looking at it, so you can see your teammates and the defence.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Grip | Place your fingers on each side of the ball, thumbs behind, and fingertips pointing towards your chin |
| Elbow Position | Elbows should be in front and pointed towards the ground |
| Hip Position | Adjust hips so they are squared up |
| Knee Position | Keep knees slightly bent |
| Throwing | Use your dominant foot to step and throw, following through with your arms |
| Wrist Action | Rotate your wrists as you throw so your thumbs point down, adding rotation to the ball |
| Throwing Arc | Keep the arc of the ball as small as possible |
| Throwing Accuracy | Aim for your teammate's chest |
| Power | Throw with power and accuracy |
| Pass Type | Chest passes, overhead passes, bounce passes, and baseball passes are all types of passes with different starting positions and uses |
| Court Awareness | Develop court awareness to know when to use different types of passes and to pass without looking in the direction you are passing |
| Peripheral Vision | Develop your peripheral vision to be aware of your teammates and the defense |
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Chest passes
Passing a basketball is a fundamental skill in the game and chest passes are one of the most common types of passes. To perform a chest pass, start by gripping the basketball with both hands on each side, with your thumbs behind the ball and your fingers spread apart. Your elbows should be in front of you, pointed towards the ground, and your knees should be slightly bent with your hips squared up.
Next, bring the ball towards your chest, bending your elbows and keeping them tucked in close to your body. The ball should be close to or touching your chest. Then, take a step with your dominant foot and throw the ball, following through with your arms fully extended towards your teammate. Aim to throw the pass into your teammate's chest, not at their head or feet, and try to throw it accurately and with power. You should also rotate your wrists as you throw so that your thumbs point down, adding rotation to the ball.
With practice, you can develop court awareness and use chest passes without always looking in the direction you are passing. This can help you avoid defenders and set up your teammates for easy baskets and potential victories.
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Overhead passes
First, begin by holding the basketball with both hands directly behind your head, with your elbows bent and close to your ears. This starting position is crucial, as it provides control over the ball and sets the foundation for a powerful and accurate pass. Ensure your elbows are pointed towards the ground and your hips are squared up, with a slight bend in your knees. This stance not only helps with balance but also enables you to pivot, allowing you to pass to teammates who aren't directly in front of you.
As you step forward towards your target, use your dominant foot to generate power. This step provides the momentum needed for a long pass. Simultaneously, extend your elbows and snap your wrists to create backspin on the ball. It's important to remember that your arms should have a short range of motion, with most of the movement coming from your elbows rather than your shoulders. This technique ensures a quick and precise release of the ball.
When executing the pass, aim to throw the ball in a true and straight line to your intended target. Overhead passes are often used to pass over defenders, so ensure you're passing to where your teammate will catch the ball, not to their current position. Accuracy is key, as an errant pass can result in a turnover. With practice, you'll develop a feel for the right amount of power and precision needed for each pass.
The overhead pass is a valuable skill in basketball, allowing players to make long passes and bypass defenders. It's a more advanced technique, and with constant practice, you can master it and become a more versatile player. Remember, passing is a crucial aspect of basketball, fostering teamwork and setting up scoring opportunities.
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Baseball passes
The baseball pass is used to throw the basketball far down the court to an open teammate. It is a one-handed overhead pass, similar to throwing a baseball. To execute a baseball pass, start by bringing the basketball slightly behind your head, above your shoulder, with one hand. Step with your non-dominant foot and throw with your dominant hand. This pass can be easily intercepted, as you do not have full control over the ball, so use it only when necessary.
To improve the effectiveness of your baseball passes, work on your ball-handling skills so that you can look at your teammates and the defence while passing, rather than at the ball. Developing your peripheral vision can also help you become more aware of your surroundings on the court.
It is important to have court awareness when executing passes. In some cases, such as with behind-the-back passes, it may be more effective if you do not look in the direction you are passing. Practice your passing technique so that it becomes second nature, allowing you to focus on court awareness.
When passing, make sure to pivot so that you can pass to teammates who are not directly in front of you. Bend your knees slightly and adjust your hips so that they are squared up. Bring the ball towards your chest, bending and tucking in your elbows. Your elbows should be in front of you, pointed towards the ground, with your fingertips pointed towards your chin.
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Dribble passes
The dribble pass is a type of one-handed pass that occurs instantly after dribbling. It is a quick way to move the ball from one area to another, especially before the defensive team has a chance to prevent potential offensive opportunities.
When a player is dribbling the basketball and has the chance to pass to a teammate, it is generally more effective to use a dribble pass instead of a two-handed pass. This is because a two-handed pass requires the player to gather the ball with both hands, giving the defence time to react. However, there may be instances where a two-handed pass is more efficient, such as a skip pass across the court.
A dribble pass can also be useful during transition offence, mainly within an offensive numbers advantage such as a 2-on-1 or 3-on-2 situation. For example, if player A has the ball at the top and player B is on the right side wing, and player B's defender executes denial defence, player A can dribble towards player B, triggering an automatic backdoor cut towards the basket from player B. Player A can then execute a bounce pass off the dribble so that player B can receive the ball and potentially score.
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Bounce passes
A bounce pass is a fundamental skill in basketball, and it is important to know when and how to execute it. Bounce passes are typically used in tight spaces to pass to a teammate who is being guarded. They are also used when there is an opponent in the way who might deflect a direct chest pass.
To perform a bounce pass, begin by holding the basketball with both hands at waist level, with your elbows tucked in. Place your hands on each side of the ball, with your fingers comfortably spread, and your thumbs pointing down. Next, take a step forward with your dominant foot, and as you do so, push off with your back foot and release the ball with both hands, aiming for the ground. The ball should be thrown far out enough so that it is received by your teammate at waist height. It is recommended that the ball hits the ground 2/3 or 3/4 of the way between you and your teammate. Finish the pass with your arms fully extended, in front of you, at thigh height, and your thumbs pointing to the floor.
When performing a bounce pass, it is important to consider the distance to your teammate. Bounce passes are best used over short distances, and you should always opt for a chest pass when possible, as bounce passes are slower. However, they can unlock different angles that might not be possible with a chest pass. If there is a defender between you and your teammate, aim for the ball to touch the floor right next to them, making it difficult for them to intercept. If there is no defender, and you are passing over a longer distance, the ball should bounce approximately two-thirds of the way to your target.
When your teammate is in motion, aim your pass to where they will be, rather than where they currently are. This requires more lead time than a chest pass, but you will quickly get a better sense of how much lead is required through practice.
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Frequently asked questions
Grip the ball with your fingertips pointing towards your chin, thumbs behind the ball, and fingers spread apart. Keep your elbows in front, pointed towards the ground, and knees slightly bent.
Begin with the ball at waist level, then push it across your body with your left hand towards your right side, wrapping it around your torso. As you cross your body, catch the ball with your right hand and push it towards your target.
A bounce pass is useful in tight spaces when passing to a guarded player. Aim for the ball to hit the ground about 3/4 of the way between you and your teammate, so it reaches them at waist height.
Hold the ball behind your head with both hands, elbows bent by your ears. Step forward and extend your elbows and wrists to create backspin, with most of the movement coming from your elbows.
Work on your ball handling skills so you can look at your teammates and the defence while passing, instead of looking at the ball. Also, develop your peripheral vision so you can be aware of your teammates' positions on the court.
