Amanda Knapp
Passing is a fundamental aspect of basketball, and there are many different types of passes that can be used depending on the situation. While some passes are basic, others are more advanced and can be quite fancy. Fancy passes are often used to avoid defenders and can involve elaborate movements such as throwing the ball behind your back or using a no-look pass to fool the defence. These types of passes require good hand-eye coordination, precision, and practice to execute successfully. This paragraph will discuss some of the most common and fancy passes in basketball and provide tips on how to perform them effectively.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of pass types | 2: Air Pass and Bounce Pass |
| Air Pass Subtypes | Chest Pass, Overhead Pass, Wrap-Around Pass, Baseball Pass, Dribble Pass, Behind-the-Back Pass, Pick and Roll Pass |
| Bounce Pass Subtypes | Chest Pass, Bounce Pass, Overhead Pass |
| Passing techniques | Pivoting, Gripping the ball, Throwing with the dominant hand, Throwing with the wrists, Throwing overhead, Throwing behind the back, Throwing with a dribble, Throwing with a step, Throwing with a pivot foot |
| Passing strategies | Passing to skip defenders, Passing to an open teammate, Passing to reverse the ball on offense, Passing quickly, Passing to avoid defenders, Passing to catch in mid-air |
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Air passes
Chest Pass
The chest pass is one of the most widely used passes in basketball. To execute it, grab the ball with both hands and bring it down to your chest level. Spread your fingers and place your thumbs pointing towards each other on top of the ball. Then, pass the ball to your teammate so that they receive it at chest level. This pass is effective when the defenders are positioned away from the offensive players.
Overhead Pass
The overhead pass is used to quickly reverse the ball from one side of the court to the other. It is often used to make a skip pass, which is when the ball is passed directly to a teammate on the opposite side of the court, skipping the nearest teammate. To perform an overhead pass, extend the ball over your head with both hands and throw it high enough so that defenders cannot jump and deflect it.
Baseball Pass
The baseball pass is an air pass that is used on fast breaks and to quickly move the ball across the court. It requires above-average strength and accuracy. To execute it, extend the ball behind your head with your throwing arm while turning your chest backward, and step forward with the opposite leg of your throwing hand. Then, throw the ball towards your target. This pass can be used to avoid a defender when a forward pass seems dangerous.
Lob Pass
The lob pass is when a player throws the ball with a high arc into the air, usually over one or more defenders, to a teammate who can then catch the ball and potentially score. It is often used as a counter to a low post defensive front or to create a quick scoring opportunity.
Hook Pass
The hook pass is used during dribble penetration, especially towards the lane. It involves propelling the ball through the air with a throwing motion similar to a hook. This pass can lead to scoring or playmaking opportunities, as it can open up offensive players near the perimeter areas of the court.
While fancy passes may be entertaining, it is important to prioritize fundamental and high-percentage passes that put your teammates in a position to make positive plays. Air passes, when executed effectively, can help create scoring opportunities and contribute to successful teamwork in basketball.
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Bounce passes
The bounce pass is a fundamental basketball skill. It is a short pass that enables the player to find a teammate in a crowded area. The height of the ball makes it difficult for the opposition to reach and intercept.
To perform a bounce pass, start with your feet shoulder-width apart, knees bent, and the ball held at waist level with both hands. Place your hands on each side of the ball, slightly behind it, with your fingers comfortably spread and elbows tucked in. Take a step forward with either foot, pushing off with your back foot, and release the ball with both hands, extending your legs, back, and arms. The ball should be released off the first and second fingers of both hands, with your wrists and fingers forced through the ball. Follow through with your arms fully extended, fingers pointing at the target, and thumbs pointing down.
The bounce pass is best used over short distances with a single opponent between you and your teammate. It is slower than a direct chest pass, so you should use chest passes whenever possible and save bounce passes for when a defender might block a chest pass. You can use one or two hands to throw a bounce pass, depending on how the defender is guarding you. A one-handed pass is more common as it gives you more freedom of movement and allows you to be more creative in passing around defenders. However, a two-handed pass is more powerful, so it is useful to be able to use both.
When throwing a one-handed bounce pass, you can use your body to shield defenders from the ball and throw the pass with your opposite hand. The ball should hit the floor about three-quarters of the way between you and your target, so it rises to your teammate's chest level. For a two-handed pass, start with the ball at your chest, step towards your teammate, and push the ball with a flick of your wrists. When throwing any type of bounce pass, you want the ball to reach your target as quickly as possible. To avoid turnovers, use your eyes to fake out the defense if you are passing to a closely guarded player, but don't do this if your teammate is wide open.
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Overhead passes
The overhead pass is a fundamental basketball technique that can be used in a variety of situations. It is a powerful pass that can quickly move the ball over defenders to a teammate further down the court. This pass is ideal for long distances and can be used to initiate a fast break.
To execute an overhead pass, begin by holding the ball with both hands at waist level. Then, bring the ball directly above your head or slightly behind your head, with your elbows bent and hands on either side of the ball. Step forward towards your target with your dominant foot, and plant that foot. Push off the back foot to generate power, and release the ball with a follow-through, aiming for your teammate's chest or chin area. It is important to pass to where your teammate will be, rather than where they currently are.
The overhead pass can be used in several situations. It is often used as an outlet pass, to quickly move the ball down the court after a rebound or turnover, or when making an inbounds pass. It can also be used as a "skip pass", passing over multiple defenders to a teammate on the other side of the court. This pass is preferred in this situation as it has more arc and power, making it harder for defenders to intercept.
The overhead pass is a valuable skill to master, as it can help your team advance the ball quickly and create scoring opportunities. It is a great way to connect with your teammates and facilitate teamwork. However, it is important to note that accuracy can be more challenging with this type of pass, so practice is key.
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Wraparound passes
Passing is an essential part of basketball, and wraparound passes are one of the many types of passes that can be used. The wraparound pass is an offensive action in which a player with the basketball throws it around an opposing defender to a teammate, creating a scoring opportunity or an additional playmaking option.
To execute the dribble wraparound pass, the player with the ball will dribble towards the basket and then throw the ball around a defender to a teammate who can score. This is often used when a defender is closely guarding the player with the ball, and it is a good counter to defensive pressure. A player can use a fake pass before executing the wraparound pass to create more space. The passer should use their pivot foot to step around the outside of the defender, getting their pivot hip on the hip of the defender to create a passing lane. It is important to use the hand that is farthest away from the opponent when completing this pass.
The wraparound pass requires speed and good technique, and it is important to be firm on your feet and take your time when passing. Passing is crucial to getting the ball to the right places, and teams that pass well are considered unselfish as they know how to share the ball.
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Behind-the-back passes
A behind-the-back pass is an advanced technique in basketball that requires a high degree of confidence and skill. It is a flashy move that aims to deceive the defender about the direction of the pass. This sleight of hand and misdirection can cause the defender to pause, creating a scoring or playmaking opportunity for the receiver.
To execute a behind-the-back pass, the player should start by facing away from the intended receiver. The player should then grab the ball with one hand, bend their knees slightly, and bend their wrist inwardly, cupping the ball with their hand. Next, the player should extend the ball behind their back and whip it around their left hip if using their right hand, or their right hip if using their left hand. Super-skilled passers can use either hand to make this move. The ball can be passed directly to a teammate or bounced once on the floor behind the player before being received.
It is important to note that the turning action of the player with the ball can slow down the offensive sequence, giving the defence more time to react. Therefore, it is recommended that players first learn and master basic passes such as the chest pass, bounce pass, and overhead pass before attempting behind-the-back passes.
To practice behind-the-back passes, players can stand about 10 feet away from a wall and pass the ball around their back so it bounces back to their front side. Once they catch the ball, they can repeat the action, gradually increasing speed and distance. This drill helps players get used to handling the basketball, making it feel like an extension of their hand.
The behind-the-back pass is an effective move in certain situations, such as when there is a defender right in the player's face or during transition defence when the offensive team has a numbers advantage. It can be used immediately after dribbling the basketball, but it is generally assumed that the player executes the pass from a stationary stance.
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Frequently asked questions
The chest pass and the overhead pass are the most common types of passes in basketball. For a chest pass, you would grab the ball with both hands and drop it to your chest level. The palms of your hands should be on each side of the basketball with your fingers spread out and your thumbs pointing to each other on top of the ball. For an overhead pass, you would use both hands and extend the ball over your head. You wind up and throw the basketball with both hands.
Some advanced passes include the baseball pass, the dribble pass, the behind-the-back pass, and the wraparound pass. The baseball pass is used to throw the basketball far down the court to an open teammate. It is a one-handed pass that uses the same overhand motion as an outfielder in baseball. The behind-the-back pass is a flashy move that requires a high degree of confidence and skill. The offensive player should drive into the defender, look the opposite way of where the ball is being thrown, and then throw the ball behind their back to a teammate.
You can do stationary drills or move up and down in front of a wall, a fence, or anything else that can capture the ball and send it back to you. You can also move forward and backward to control the distance of the pass and the speed of the return. Once you've mastered the basic passing types, you can move on to variations like behind-the-back, over-spins, and wraparound passes.
