Amanda Knapp
Passing is a fundamental part of basketball that, when mastered, can greatly improve your overall performance and your team's success. It is important to teach passing not only as a skill but also as an opportunity to create influential playmakers. There are two main types of passes: air passes and bounce passes. Each type of pass has its own variations, such as chest passes, overhead passes, and behind-the-back passes. To improve your passing skills, it is essential to practice with a purpose, focusing on accuracy and decision-making. This includes developing court vision, using ball fakes, and communicating with teammates. Passing drills can also enhance your skills, such as partner passing or game-based drills like Bull in the Ring and Argentina Passing. By combining these practices and adopting a positive mindset towards passing, you can become a more effective player and contribute to your team's victories.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Passing types | Air pass, bounce pass, chest pass, overhead pass, wrap-around pass, baseball pass, dribble pass, behind-the-back pass, pick and roll pass |
| Passing drills | Partner passing, Bull in the Ring, Argentina Passing, No Dribble Advancement |
| Passing tips | Practice passing with a purpose, focusing on accuracy and decision-making, develop court vision, use ball fakes and hesitations, communicate with teammates, analyze game footage |
| Passing technique | Hold the ball with both hands around waist level, pivot hips, adjust elbows, bend knees, grip the ball with fingertips pointed towards the chin, practice passing with varying amounts of force |
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What You'll Learn
- Learn the basic types of passes: chest, overhead, bounce, and behind-the-back
- Practice passing with a purpose, focusing on accuracy and decision-making
- Develop court vision by scanning the floor and anticipating teammates' movements
- Use ball fakes and hesitations to create passing lanes and keep defenders off-balance
- Practice passing variations: baseball pass, dribble pass, wrap-around, and more
Learn the basic types of passes: chest, overhead, bounce, and behind-the-back
Passing is an essential part of basketball, and there are two main categories of passes: air passes and bounce passes. Every pass is either thrown through the air or bounced off the playing surface. Here are four fundamental types of passes that every basketball player should know: chest passes, overhead passes, bounce passes, and behind-the-back passes.
The chest pass is one of the most widely used passes in basketball. To execute a chest pass, hold the ball with both hands at chest level, with the palms of your hands on each side of the ball, fingers spread out, and thumbs pointing towards each other on top of the ball. This pass is often used in combination with the wraparound move, where the passer uses their pivot foot to create a lane for the pass.
The overhead pass is used to quickly reverse the ball on offense. To perform an overhead pass, start by holding the ball directly behind your head with both hands, elbows bent beside your ears. As you step forward, extend your elbows and snap your wrists to create backspin, releasing the ball just above your head. Some coaches advise against bringing the ball behind your head, as it can be stolen and may slow down your pass.
The bounce pass is similar to the chest pass but is aimed at the floor. The ball should bounce up to waist height when it reaches your teammate. This pass is useful in tight spaces when you need to get the ball to a guarded player.
The behind-the-back pass is an advanced move that requires skill and confidence. It is used to deceive a defender about the pass's intended target. To execute this pass, drive towards the defender, look in the opposite direction of your teammate, and whip the ball behind your back with one hand. This pass requires court awareness and is most effective when you do not look at your passing target.
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Practice passing with a purpose, focusing on accuracy and decision-making
Passing is a fundamental skill in basketball, and one that is often under-taught and under-emphasised. To practice passing with purpose, accuracy and decision-making, there are a number of techniques and drills to try.
Firstly, it's important to understand the basics of each type of pass and when to use them. There are two main types of pass: the air pass and the bounce pass. Each has its own variations, such as the chest pass, overhead pass, wrap-around pass, baseball pass, and the behind-the-back pass. Each type of pass should be practiced with purpose and accuracy in mind. For example, when performing a chest pass, stand facing your partner about 10 feet apart. Focus on proper form and technique, and as you become more comfortable, increase the distance.
When practicing, it's important to develop court vision by constantly scanning the floor and anticipating your teammates' movements. This will help you make quick, decisive passes and take advantage of open teammates. Remember to also be aware of the positioning of defenders and use ball fakes and hesitations to create passing lanes and keep them off-balance.
To improve accuracy, consider the distance between you and your target, as well as their position and movement. Practice passing with varying amounts of force to develop a feel for the appropriate speed needed in different situations. For example, when performing a bounce pass, aim for the ball to hit the ground about 3/4 of the way between you and your teammate, so that it is received at waist height.
To improve decision-making, use dynamic game-based passing drills that include random types of passes, movement, and passing under pressure. For example, the 'Bull in the Ring' drill helps players read where the defence is and make good passes. Another drill is 'No Dribble Advancement', which is great for improving decision-making and handling pressure.
Passing with purpose, accuracy and good decision-making will help elevate your passing game and make you a more effective player and playmaker on the court.
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Develop court vision by scanning the floor and anticipating teammates' movements
Passing is one of the most under-taught and under-emphasized skills in basketball, but it is a vital part of the game. Developing court vision is a crucial aspect of improving your passing skills and becoming a more well-rounded player. Court vision refers to the ability to perceive the entire court, encompassing an awareness of your teammates' and opponents' positions, as well as the trajectory of the ball.
To develop court vision, you must train yourself to constantly scan the court. This means utilizing your peripheral vision to gather information on your surroundings, including teammates, opponents, and ball positions. It's about interpreting the information you gather through scanning. For example, when driving into the paint, you might notice that the post defender steps up, but with your peripheral vision, you can identify an open teammate and make a pass to them.
Communication is also key to enhancing court vision. By communicating with your teammates, calling out positions, and maintaining strong connections, you can collectively improve your situational awareness and anticipate opportunities. Observe professional basketball matches to refine your court vision by studying how top players scan the court and make decisions. Analyze player movement, positioning, and decision-making strategies, and incorporate these tactics into your own game.
Additionally, work on your ball-handling skills to free up your focus for scanning the court. Your dribbling should become second nature, so you can concentrate on using your eyes to find open teammates and create plays. Practice drills that combine movement and ball-handling, such as those found in the free e-book, "Winning Basketball Drills." You can also work on your passing techniques, such as chest passes, bounce passes, overhead passes, and behind-the-back passes, to improve your ability to connect with teammates.
Finally, understand that court vision is not just about seeing but also about interpreting and responding to the game. Develop your mental agility to process information and make precise decisions. This includes recognizing defensive gaps, adapting to opponents' movements, and identifying passing lanes. By combining scanning techniques with decision-making skills, you'll become a more dynamic player with exceptional court vision.
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Use ball fakes and hesitations to create passing lanes and keep defenders off-balance
Passing is one of the most under-taught skills in basketball, but it is important to focus on it to improve your overall game. One way to improve passing is to use ball fakes and hesitations (also known as pump fakes) to create passing lanes and keep defenders off-balance.
Pump fakes are most effective when the defender is close enough to be deceived, such as when you are in a shooting position or driving towards the defender. To execute a pump fake, you need to maintain proper balance and control. This ensures that you can smoothly perform the fake without losing your footing or the ball.
Sell the pump fake by using subtle body and eye movements to deceive the defender. This could include a jab step, shoulder fake, or head fake, along with a convincing look towards the basket as if you are about to shoot. Coordinate your footwork with the pump fake for maximum effectiveness. For example, if you are faking a shot, your shooting foot should step forward slightly as if initiating the shot, while your non-shooting foot remains planted or slightly back.
Pay attention to the defender's reaction to your pump fake. If they bite on the fake and jump or lunge towards you, take advantage of the opening to shoot, drive, or pass. Pump fakes can cause defenders to lose their balance, creating an opportunity for you to draw a foul by initiating contact. They can also freeze defenders momentarily, causing them to hesitate and lose their defensive positioning. This gives you an advantage to exploit by passing to an open teammate.
NBA stars like LeBron James use pump fakes strategically to manipulate defensive rotations and create driving lanes. By mastering the technical execution and timing of the pump fake, you can keep defenders guessing and create space for yourself or your teammates.
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Practice passing variations: baseball pass, dribble pass, wrap-around, and more
Passing is an essential skill in basketball, and there are many types of passes to master. Once you have the basics down, you can move on to more advanced variations, such as the baseball pass, dribble pass, and wrap-around pass.
The baseball pass is a one-handed pass that can be used to pass the ball deep down the floor. It is an excellent option when players need to quickly pass to a teammate before the defense can react. To execute a baseball pass, the player should align their non-throwing shoulder towards the target, similar to a quarterback in American football. The ball should go to the passer's back ear, and they should step into the pass, rotating their hips and stepping with the back foot. For a right-handed pass, step with the right foot and snap your wrist to create backspin, making it easier for your teammate to catch.
The dribble pass is a one-handed pass that occurs instantly after dribbling. It is a quick way to move the ball, especially useful for creating scoring or playmaking opportunities. For example, if Player A is dribbling at the top and Player B is open near the basket, a dribble pass can quickly get the ball to Player B for a potential score. It is generally faster than a two-handed pass, where the defense may have time to react.
The wrap-around pass is another variation to practice. This pass is thrown behind the passer's back to a teammate.
To improve passing skills, players can also practice various drills. For example, you can practice passing against a wall to work on your accuracy and control. You can also practice passing on the move, combining movement with passing to improve your ability to pass in pressure situations.
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Frequently asked questions
Passing is a fundamental skill in basketball, which involves moving the ball between players without dropping it and with the aim of advancing the game. There are two main types of passes: Air Pass and Bounce Pass. Each type has several variations, such as chest pass, overhead pass, behind-the-back pass, and more.
Here are some key tips:
- Practice regularly, focusing on accuracy and decision-making.
- Develop court vision by scanning the floor and anticipating teammates' movements.
- Use ball fakes to create passing lanes and keep defenders guessing.
- Communicate with teammates to establish a strong passing connection.
- Analyze game footage to identify areas for improvement.
The chest pass is a fundamental technique. Stand with your hips squared and knees slightly bent. Hold the ball at chest level with both hands, fingertips pointing toward your chin. Push the ball with your left hand toward your right side, wrapping it around your torso. As you cross your body, release the ball from behind your back toward your target.
The behind-the-back pass is an advanced technique used to avoid a defender standing in front of you. It involves gripping the ball with one hand and snapping your wrist to add distance. Do not look at your teammate to avoid giving yourself away. This pass is challenging and requires practice to master.
Coaches should introduce passing drills that combine skills to practice efficiently. Start with basic drills like partner passing to teach new skills and terminology. Progress to dynamic game-based drills that include decision-making, different pass types, movement, and passing under pressure. Bull in the Ring and Argentina Passing are great examples of team passing drills.
