Kristian Ferrell
Passing is an essential part of basketball, and one of the most under-taught skills in the game. While the player scoring the points often gets the limelight, the person assisting them through a pass is just as important. There are two categories of passes in basketball: the air pass and the bounce pass. This article will focus on the behind-the-back pass, a flashy move that requires a high degree of confidence and skill.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of pass | Behind-the-back pass |
| Purpose | To deceive the defender about where the ball is being passed, creating a scoring opportunity for the receiver |
| Motion | One solid and smooth motion |
| Variations | Air pass, bounce pass, elbow pass |
| Difficulty | Advanced |
| Prerequisites | Basic passes such as the chest pass, bounce pass, and overhead pass |
| Drills | Practice against a wall, or with a teammate 10 feet apart |
| Tips | Look in the opposite direction of the pass, use sleight of hand and misdirection |
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What You'll Learn
Practice passing against a wall
Passing against a wall is a great way to practice your technique when you don't have a partner. It can help you develop muscle memory and improve your accuracy and quick release.
To practice a behind-the-back pass against a wall, stand sideways about four to six feet away from the wall. Pass the ball behind your back by throwing it towards an area of the wall that is roughly parallel to your non-throwing shoulder. Catch the ball as it bounces off the wall in front of you. You can also try this drill from 10 feet away.
You can also practice one-handed passes against a wall. Stand about 5 feet from a wall and use your dominant hand to practice making one-handed passes, focusing on accuracy and quick release. Repeat the drill with your non-dominant hand to improve your ambidexterity.
To develop your hand placement, grip the ball with your fingertips pointed towards your chin, thumbs behind the ball, and fingers spread apart. This will give you better control and accuracy when passing.
Remember to also practice your footwork. Square your shoulders to your target to improve accuracy and reduce off-target passes. Keep your knees slightly bent to maintain stability and be able to react quickly to changing situations. When making a pass, step into it with your lead foot to generate power.
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Use sleight of hand and misdirection to confuse defenders
Passing a basketball behind your back is a great way to confuse defenders and create scoring opportunities. This move requires sleight of hand and misdirection to be effective. Here are some tips to execute this move successfully:
Firstly, it is important to have a good grasp of the ball. Hold the ball with one hand, bending the adjacent wrist inward and cupping the ball with your fingers slightly bent to prevent the ball from touching the palm. This technique ensures a smooth and controlled release of the ball.
The next step is to use misdirection to divert the defender's gaze. Make eye contact with the defender and then glance elsewhere, directing their attention away from your intended pass. This technique requires concentration and awareness of your surroundings. You must also be able to suppress your emotions and instincts to avoid giving away your intentions.
Another way to use misdirection is by utilising a "give and go" move. This involves passing the ball and then quickly moving to an open spot to receive it back, often near the basket, creating an easy scoring opportunity. The defender may focus on the ball or your initial movement, allowing you to receive the return pass unnoticed.
Practicing the behind-the-back pass is crucial. It is considered one of the most difficult passes, so mastering the technique through repetition is essential. Practice with a teammate or against a wall to improve your accuracy and timing. Remember, this pass should be executed as one fluid motion to maintain the element of surprise.
Additionally, combining the behind-the-back pass with dribbling can be effective. This involves transitioning directly from dribbling to passing without setting up, catching defenders off guard. The dribble pitch, or handoff, is a variation where you pass to a teammate and then run by them to collect the ball, using their screen.
Passing a basketball behind your back using sleight of hand and misdirection takes practice and a deep understanding of court awareness. It can be a powerful tool to create scoring chances and confuse defenders. Remember to stay focused, be aware of your surroundings, and execute the pass with precision and fluidity.
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Pass the ball with one hand
Passing a basketball behind your back is one of the most difficult passes to execute and requires a lot of practice. It is used to avoid a defender who is right in your face or standing in front of you. To pass the ball with one hand, grip the ball in one hand and wrap your arm around your back. Square your hips with one leg forward, and use the arm on the same side to bring the ball behind your back. Snap your wrist so the pass gets distance. Do not look at your teammate or you will give yourself away.
It is harder to control the accuracy of this pass since it is performed behind your back, so you may turn the ball over. To avoid this, make sure the person you're passing to is aware and has their eyes on the ball and their hands ready to catch. It is also important to pass the ball to your teammate's outside hand, which is the one that is further away from the defender.
To improve your passing skills, you can practice drills such as "pass the cup," where players stand in a circle and pass the ball to each other, or a wall chest pass drill where you stand near a wall and bounce the ball off the wall to catch it back. You can also practice a one-handed pass by stepping with your left foot and passing off your left hip against a wall 3 meters away. Make the pass return so you can catch it without moving, then step backward and repeat the exercise.
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Deceive the defender by looking the opposite way
To perform a behind-the-back pass, the player with the ball 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. This technique is used to deceive the defender about where the ball is being passed, causing them to pause momentarily, which can then lead to a possible scoring opportunity for the receiver.
To execute this move effectively, it is important to master the fundamentals of passing and develop a good understanding of the game. Practice drills, such as passing the ball against a wall or with teammates, can help improve your passing skills and technique. The more you drill, the better you will become at executing the behind-the-back pass with precision and speed.
When performing the behind-the-back pass, the offensive player must grab the ball with one hand and extend it behind their back. They should whip the ball around their left hip if they are using their right hand or their right hip if they are using their left hand. Super skilled passers can use either hand to make this move, adding an element of unpredictability.
It is worth noting that the behind-the-back pass is an advanced technique and should be used sparingly. It is also important to be aware of the risks associated with this move, as it can result in a turnover if not executed properly. Practicing this move can help improve your accuracy and confidence in using it during a game.
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Practice the elbow pass variation
The elbow pass variation is an advanced type of basketball pass that was popularised by former NBA point guard, Jason Williams. To perform the elbow pass, the player moves the ball behind their back and releases it from their throwing hand. Then, using their opposite elbow, they hit the ball again.
To practice the elbow pass variation, start by standing about 10 feet away from a wall. You can also practice with a teammate standing 10 feet in front of you. Pass the ball around your back so it bounces back on your front side. Once you catch the ball again, repeat the action. As you get used to the movement, try increasing the speed or distance.
The elbow pass is a tricky move that requires a high degree of confidence and skill. It is designed to deceive the defender about where the ball is being passed. To execute this, drive into the defender, look in the opposite direction of your intended pass, and then throw the ball behind your back to your teammate.
When performing the elbow pass, it's important to be aware of the potential for turning the ball over. It is harder to control the accuracy of this pass since it is done behind your back. However, with practice and the development of sleight of hand, you can master this move and create scoring or playmaking opportunities for your team.
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Frequently asked questions
A behind-the-back pass is a flashy move that requires a high degree of confidence and skill. It is an offensive action where a player in possession of the basketball passes it behind their back to an open teammate. This move is usually used to deceive the defender about where the ball is being passed.
To perform a behind-the-back pass, the player with the ball 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. The player should grab the ball with one hand, extend the ball behind their back, and whip it around their left hip if they’re using their right hand, or right hip if they’re using their left hand.
There are three types of behind-the-back passes: the air pass, the bounce pass, and the elbow pass. The air pass is the most common type, where the ball is tossed behind the passer's back to a teammate. The bounce pass involves the ball bouncing once behind the passer's back before being received by a teammate. The elbow pass, popularized by Jason Williams, involves the player hitting the ball with their opposite elbow as it is released from the throwing hand.
A behind-the-back pass is an advanced technique and should only be used after mastering the basic passes such as the chest pass, bounce pass, and overhead pass. It can be used to create scoring or playmaking opportunities, especially when the offensive team has a numbers advantage such as a 2-on-1 or 3-on-1 situation. It can also be effective against transition defenses and ball screen defenses, causing the defender to momentarily pause and giving the receiver time to score.
