Kristian Ferrell
Passing is a fundamental skill in basketball, and while it may be under-emphasized, it is crucial for getting the ball where it needs to go. Basketball is a team sport, and passing is key to achieving victory as a team. There are two main types of passes in basketball: air passes and bounce passes. Air passes, or air balls, reach the intended player without touching the floor, while bounce passes hit the floor before reaching the receiver. This article will explore the different types of passes and provide tips on how to execute them effectively.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Common types | Chest pass, overhead pass |
| Grip | Both sides of the ball, fingertips towards chin, thumbs behind the ball, elbows in front and pointing down, hips squared, knees slightly bent |
| Passing motion | Bring the ball to the chest, bend elbows, pivot to pass to people not directly in front |
| Throwing | Use wrists for accuracy, use a bigger step for more power, follow through with arms extended, rotate wrists so thumbs point down |
| Receiving area | Aim for the receiver's chest, not their head or feet |
| Pass type | Air pass, Bounce pass |
| Advanced passes | Baseball pass, dribble pass, behind-the-back pass, lob pass, wrap-around pass, pick and roll pass |
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Chest passes
Passing is an essential part of basketball, and some of the game's best players are those who can effectively pass the ball. One of the most common passes you'll need to know is the chest pass.
To perform a chest pass, start by gripping the ball on both sides with your fingertips pointing towards your chin. Your thumbs should be behind the ball, and your fingers spread apart. Keep your elbows in front of you, bent and tucked in close to your body. Adjust your hips so they are squared up, and bend your knees slightly. Bring the ball towards your chest, and step out with one foot towards your target. As you step, rotate your fingers so that your palms are facing outwards and your thumbs are pointing down. Finish with your arms in front, chest-high, and follow through to your teammate by fully extending your arms. The chest pass should go in a straight line and arrive at your teammate's chest level. It is best suited for quickly advancing the ball up the court and swinging it around the perimeter.
A bounce pass is performed in the same way as a chest pass, except that you aim for the ground and bounce the ball once before it reaches your teammate. This type of pass is useful in tight spaces when you are feeding a guarded player.
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Overhead passes
The overhead pass is a type of pass in basketball where the player holds the ball over their head with both hands and then tosses it to a teammate. This pass is commonly used when the player needs to make a strong and long pass.
To execute an overhead pass, start with the ball in both hands behind your head with your elbows bent and next to your ears. Then, step forward towards your target, keeping your thumbs pointed back at your forehead. Next, move your hands directly behind the path of the ball and extend your elbows and knees to snap your wrists, creating backspin. This will help you judge the distance more easily. Maximize the contact surface area between the ball and your fingertips. Turn your thumbs forward until your palms face the target and release the ball in line with the top of your head. Aim for your teammate's chin or chest area. Finish balanced on your right foot.
Some coaches advise not bringing the ball behind your head, as it can get stolen and takes slightly longer to throw the pass. The overhead pass is most effective for passing the ball quickly over a long distance with a low trajectory.
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Baseball passes
A baseball pass is an advanced type of basketball pass. It is a one-handed pass that uses the same motion as a baseball throw, and is often used to make long passes. To execute a baseball pass, the ball is taken slightly behind the head, above the shoulder, and thrown with the dominant hand, much like a baseball. This pass can be easily intercepted, as it can be knocked out of the passer's hand, so it should only be used when necessary. Baseball passes are also challenging because they require a lot of force to execute, which can be hard on the passer's arm.
When performing a baseball pass, it is important to pivot, allowing the ball to be passed to teammates who are not directly in front of the passer. This can be achieved by stepping with the non-dominant foot and throwing with the dominant hand. The bigger the step, the more power can be put into the pass. For more accuracy, the wrists should be used to throw the pass, rather than the arms.
The baseball pass is similar to the overhead pass, but it spends more time in the air, giving defenders time to track it. This means it must be thrown with precision and power. It is also a riskier pass because it requires the passer to lose sight of the ball and defenders.
To avoid interception, it is important to be aware of the defender's position and to fake them out. This can be done by faking a pass in one direction and then passing in the other, or by looking one way and passing the other.
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Bounce passes
The bounce pass is a fundamental skill in basketball that every player must master. It is a short pass that enables the passer 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 by placing your feet shoulder-width apart, with knees bent. Hold the ball at waist level with both hands, keeping your elbows tucked in and your fingers comfortably spread. As you step forward with either foot, push off with your back foot and release the ball, aiming for the ground. Keep your back straight and slightly tilt your upper body forward for maximum power.
When passing to a teammate who is guarded by a defender, aim for the ball to touch the floor right next to the defender. This minimizes the chance of a turnover and puts the ball in an optimal position for your teammate to catch. 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.
The bounce pass is best used in tight spaces when you need to pass to a guarded teammate. It is not ideal for long distances or when trying to progress the ball down the court. Before executing a bounce pass, always consider whether it is the best option, as a chest pass is generally faster and preferred when possible.
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Behind-the-back passes
To get into the correct stance, the player should stand with their feet about shoulder-width apart, knees slightly bent, and back straight. The player should also be facing away from the intended receiver. To practice the stance, one can stand 10 feet away from a wall and pass the ball around their back so it bounces back on their front side.
For the grip, the player should cup the ball with one hand while bending the adjacent wrist inwardly. This helps the player to continuously hold the ball as they move it behind their back.
When performing the pass, the 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. It is important to note that behind-the-back passes are harder to control in terms of accuracy, so there is a higher risk of turning the ball over.
There are also variations of the behind-the-back pass, such as the bounce pass and the elbow pass. The bounce pass involves bouncing the ball directly behind the player at an angle with enough strength so that it bounces back up towards a potential receiver. The elbow pass, popularized by former NBA point guard Jason Williams, involves the player moving the ball behind their back and then hitting it with their opposite elbow as it is released from the throwing hand.
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Frequently asked questions
The two basic types of passes in basketball are air passes and bounce passes. Air passes travel between players without touching the floor, while bounce passes hit the floor before reaching the intended receiver.
To perform a chest pass, grip the basketball with your fingertips pointing towards your chin and your thumbs behind the ball. Adjust your hips and knees so that they are squared up and slightly bent, respectively. Bring the ball towards your chest, bending your elbows and keeping them tucked in. Step towards your target and push the ball out with your arms extended, ensuring your thumbs are pointing down. Aim for your teammate's chest.
To execute an overhead pass, start by holding the basketball with both hands behind your head, elbows bent next to your ears. Step forward towards your target and extend your elbows while snapping your wrists to create backspin. The majority of the movement should come from your elbows, not your shoulders. Aim for your teammate's chin or chest.
A baseball pass is a one-handed pass that originates slightly behind your head, similar to throwing a baseball. It is used to send the ball far down the court to an open teammate. Baseball passes can be easily intercepted, so they should only be used when necessary.
Passing can be practiced alone or with a partner. You can use a wall, fence, or any surface that can bounce the ball back to you. Start with stationary drills and then move up and down or forward and backward to control the distance and speed of the pass. Once you master the basic passing types, you can progress to variations such as the behind-the-back pass, wrap-around pass, and dribble pass.
