Ayrton Oneill
Passing is an essential skill in basketball, enabling seamless team offense and setting up scoring opportunities. While it may be overshadowed by the glamour of dunks and shots, it is what holds a team together. To pass effectively, a player must master proper hand placement, body positioning, and footwork. There are several types of passes, such as the chest pass, bounce pass, overhead pass, baseball pass, and behind-the-back pass, each with its own advantages and nuances. This guide will explore the fundamentals of passing in basketball, providing tips and drills to help beginners improve their passing skills and become valuable team players.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Hand placement | Fingers spread out, thumbs pointed toward each other behind the ball |
| Body positioning | Square your shoulders to your target, square your hips, knees slightly bent |
| Footwork | Step into the pass with your lead foot, pivot to pass to people who aren't directly in front of you |
| Pass types | Chest, overhead, bounce, baseball, behind-the-back, wrap-around, no-look, dribble, jump, kick |
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Hand placement
For a chest pass, grip the ball on both sides with your fingertips pointed toward your chin. Your elbows should be in front of you and pointed toward the ground. Adjust your hips so they are squared up, and your knees are slightly bent.
The overhead pass starts with both hands holding the ball directly behind your head with your elbows bent right next to each ear. As you step forward toward your target, extend your elbows and snap your wrists to create backspin on the ball. Your arms should go through a very short range of motion, ending just above your head.
The baseball pass is a one-handed overhead pass used to throw the basketball far down the court to an open teammate. Bring the ball slightly behind your head, above your shoulder, and step with your non-dominant foot. Throw with your dominant hand, much like you would with a baseball.
The behind-the-back pass is thrown by gripping the ball in one hand and wrapping 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 to get distance, but be aware that this pass is harder to control.
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Body positioning and footwork
When making a pass, step into it with your lead foot to generate power and ensure a crisp delivery. This is especially important when performing a chest pass, one of the most common types of passes. To execute a chest pass, grip the ball with both hands, fingers spread out and thumbs pointed toward each other behind the ball. This provides better control and accuracy.
For a behind-the-back pass, a more advanced technique, you'll need to square your hips with one leg forward. Using the arm on the same side as your forward leg, bring the ball behind your back and snap your wrist to give the pass distance. This pass is useful when you have a defender right in front of you, but it's harder to control, so practice is essential.
Another type of pass is the overhead pass, which starts with both hands holding the ball directly behind your head with your elbows bent by your ears. As you step forward, extend your elbows and snap your wrists to create backspin. This type of pass is often used as an outlet pass to a teammate further down the court.
Finally, the bounce pass is similar to the chest pass in terms of motion, but it's aimed at the floor. The ball should bounce at waist height for the receiver, typically around 3/4 of the way between you and your teammate. This pass is ideal for tight spaces.
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Chest pass
The chest pass is one of the first things a young basketball player learns. It is a fundamental skill that serves as the foundation for more advanced passing techniques. It is the quickest way to get the ball to your teammate because its path is a straight line. However, it is easier to intercept and not ideal for long distances or close range.
To perform a chest pass, start by placing your feet parallel to each other, about shoulder-width apart. Using both hands, hold the ball up to your chest, with your elbows tucked in. Take a step forward with either foot as you begin the passing motion—this is a matter of personal preference. Push off your back foot to generate additional power for the pass, ensuring that the toes of your front foot are pointing towards your target.
When passing to a shooter, aim for their torso, which is the "shot pocket" for most basketball players. If your target is moving, predicting where they will be is crucial. To avoid placing a pass behind your teammate, aim for where they are going to be rather than where they are when you spot them. A pass should keep your teammate in rhythm as they make their next move.
You can also use the "no-look" pass to throw your opponent off. By looking in one direction while throwing the chest pass in another, you decrease the chance of the pass being intercepted.
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Bounce pass
The bounce pass is a fundamental skill in basketball that can help you become a better player. It is best used in tight spaces when you are passing to a guarded teammate. Here is a step-by-step guide to performing a bounce pass:
Step 1: Starting Position
Hold the ball with both hands at chest level. This is the same starting position as a chest pass.
Step 2: Footwork
Take a step forward with either foot, preferably your dominant one. As you step forward, push off with your back foot to generate power.
Step 3: Release the Ball
As you step forward, release the ball with both hands, aiming towards the floor. Keep your elbows bent and snap your wrists to create a backspin on the ball. This will help you control the distance and speed of the pass.
Step 4: Body Position
Keep your back straight and slightly tilt your upper body forward for maximum power.
Step 5: Choosing the Bounce Point
Decide where the ball will bounce. If there is a defender between you and your teammate, aim for the ball to bounce right next to them. This minimizes the chance of a turnover. If there is no defender, the ball should bounce about two-thirds to three-quarters of the way to your teammate.
Drills and Practice
To improve your bounce pass, you can practice against a wall or fence to get a feel for the bounce and distance. You can also do stationary drills or move up and down to control the distance and speed. With practice, you will get better at judging the right amount of lead and power needed for your bounce passes. Remember, passing is a crucial skill in basketball, so focus on mastering the fundamentals and don't force a bounce pass when it's not necessary.
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Overhead pass
The overhead pass is a fundamental part of basketball that you must master. It is often used as an outlet pass, to throw the ball a long distance, or when a defender is standing too close to perform a chest pass or a bounce pass.
To perform an overhead pass, begin by holding the ball with both hands directly behind your head, with your elbows bent and next to your ears. Then, take a step towards your teammate, preferably with your dominant foot. Plant your first foot, and push off the back foot to generate power for the pass. As you step forward, extend your elbows and snap your wrists to create backspin on the ball. Your arms should go through a short range of motion, ending just above your head, with most of the movement coming from the elbows, not the shoulders. Follow through with the pass, aiming for your teammate's chin or chest.
It is important to note that some coaches advise against bringing the ball behind your head, as it can get stolen and takes slightly longer to throw the pass.
The overhead pass can be challenging for younger players, but with practice and implementation in full-speed situations, it can be improved.
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Frequently asked questions
Passing a basketball is all about hand placement, body positioning, and footwork. Spread your fingers out across the ball, with your thumbs pointed toward each other behind the ball. Square your shoulders to your target, bend your knees slightly, and step into the pass with your lead foot.
The chest pass, bounce pass, overhead pass, and baseball pass are all basic types of passes that beginners should learn.
There are many passing drills you can practice to improve your passing skills. The three-man weave drill involves three players passing and moving in a zig-zag formation down the court. The star passing drill involves five players passing the ball in a star formation. You can also practice passing against a wall to work on your distance and speed.
