Amanda Knapp
Passing is an essential aspect of basketball, requiring constant practice and teamwork. A good passer knows how to deliver the ball with touch, using the right velocity and angle to make it easy for the receiver. To read passing lanes, both the passer and receiver must be aware of the defense and use peripheral vision to anticipate the opponent's next move. Off-ball defenders should focus on obtaining the ball, constantly attacking passing lanes and disrupting offensive spacing and timing. The quantification of distance to passing lanes also helps defenders identify their coverage of opposing players. Passing drills and game practice are crucial for players to learn when and how to pass effectively, turning passing mechanics into valuable on-court skills.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Passing fundamentals | Critical to good team play |
| Passing lanes | Five possible passing lanes |
| Passing techniques | Chest pass, bounce pass, overhead pass, skip pass, push pass, baseball pass |
| Passing tips | Use peripheral vision, keep eyes forward, anticipate teammate's position, pass with "touch" |
| Passing in drills | 5-on-5 drill with no dribbling allowed, focus on V-cuts, back-cuts, and setting screens |
| Passing analytics | Quantification of distance to passing lane helps identify defender coverage |
| Passing denials | Defender plays "UP" between opponent and ball, constantly attacking passing lanes, deflecting passes |
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What You'll Learn
Passing fundamentals
Passing is one of the most under-taught and under-emphasized skills in basketball, but it is critical to good team play. Passing fundamentals are important for coaches to teach, as they help players understand the mentality behind passing, and how it can be used to create influential playmakers.
Passing drills can be done alone or with a partner. There are many different types of passes, such as the chest pass, the bounce pass, the overhead pass, the behind-the-back pass, and the wrap-around pass. Each type of pass has its own variations and is used in certain situations. For example, the bounce pass is best used in tight spaces when feeding a guarded player, while the behind-the-back pass can be used to avoid a defender standing in front of you.
When passing, it is important to use your peripheral vision and keep your eyes forward to know where your teammates and defenders are. Bad passes can result from dribbling with your head down and not seeing the defense. A good passer knows how to deliver the ball with "touch", meaning with the right velocity and angle to make it easy for the receiver. It is also important to anticipate where your teammate will be, not where they are currently, and to time your pass with their movement.
Passing lanes refer to the spaces between defenders through which a pass can be made. Off-ball defenders should constantly attack these passing lanes to disrupt offensive spacing and timing, forcing offensive players further from the basket. To deny a pass, the defender must play "UP" between their opponent and the ball, with their arm extended into the passing lane and their palm facing the passer.
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Using peripheral vision
Peripheral vision is an essential skill in basketball, allowing you to see everything around you without needing to turn your head. It helps you maintain focus and concentration, which are vital to optimal performance. By using your peripheral vision, you can keep your eyes forward while being aware of your teammates and opponents' positions, the ball, the basket, and the boundaries. This skill is particularly useful when executing a no-look pass, a flashy technique where the ball handler passes without looking at the ball's direction, deceiving the defence.
To improve your peripheral vision, you can try a drill where you put a chair or bin on the wing and another chair at a point. Glide up and back, staying side-on to the passing lane, with your near-side hand extended at the shoulder to deflect the pass. Keep your body low, and bring your feet together without crossing them. Put one arm down and in front to prevent the crossover dribble, and the other arm down and in front to prevent the pass.
Additionally, constantly scan the floor and anticipate your teammates' movements. Use ball fakes and hesitations to create passing lanes and keep defenders off-balance. Communicate with your teammates verbally and non-verbally to establish a strong passing rapport. Analyze game footage to identify areas for improvement and learn from successful players' techniques.
Remember, passing is about making the right decisions and not just having the proper technique. Avoid telegraphing your passes by keeping your eyes up and using your peripheral vision to locate open teammates. Make quick, decisive passes without hesitating, and consider the distance and velocity to ensure the pass is catchable.
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Passing with the right velocity and angle
A good passer knows how to deliver the ball with "touch", which means using the right velocity and angle to make it easy for the receiver to catch. This requires an understanding of the receiver's position and where they are moving to, as well as good technique.
To improve passing technique, players can practice keeping their eyes forward and using their peripheral vision to be aware of their teammates' positions. They should also avoid dribbling with their head down, as this can result in a pass to a defender who has moved into the passing lane.
Passing drills can help players improve their passing skills. For example, a 5-on-5 passing drill with no dribbling allowed can help players focus on passing against a defence. This drill can also be adapted to practice passing against various zones.
The quality of the pass can also impact the quality of the shot. Players should experiment with different launch angles and release velocities to find what works best for them. For example, a higher launch angle can give a larger target area but requires more force to control the shot.
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Off-ball defensive strategies
Understanding Off-Ball Defense:
Firstly, it's crucial to recognize that off-ball defense is about more than just protecting the basket. The primary focus should be on obtaining the basketball and disrupting the opponent's offense. This involves constantly attacking and anticipating passing lanes, forcing the offensive players away from the basket, and creating longer shots and driving distances.
Positioning:
Positioning is key in off-ball defense. Defenders should aim to position themselves between the ball handler and their opponent, playing "'UP'" the passing lane. This requires constant alertness and the ability to anticipate passes by watching the passer's eyes. Additionally, when the offensive player is one pass away from the ball, defenders should position themselves about one-third to one-half of the distance between their opponent and the ball. Keep your chest facing the player you're defending, with your hand closest to the ball outstretched to potentially disrupt a pass.
Denying Passes:
Off-ball defenders should focus on pass denial by deflecting passes rather than trying to catch them. This disrupts the offensive spacing and timing, forcing the offense to adjust and creating opportunities for your teammates.
Communication and Teamwork:
Teamwork and communication are vital in off-ball defense. Defenders must coordinate their efforts and communicate effectively to successfully attack the passer, screener, and receiver.
Disrupting Screens:
Screens are used by the offense to create paths for shooters and disrupt defender positioning. To counter this, defenders can use techniques like jump switching, V-Stepping, and the High/Low Switch. The defender guarding the screener should alert their teammates, step out, and block the shooter's path.
Constant Movement:
As an off-ball defender, you should constantly move to open spaces, use screens, and make sharp cuts. This keeps the defense active and engaged, making it harder for the offense to predict your movements and creating more opportunities for your team.
By implementing these off-ball defensive strategies, players can improve their overall defensive capabilities and contribute significantly to their team's success.
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Passing drills
Passing is a fundamental aspect of basketball, and mastering various passing techniques through passing drills can significantly improve your game. Passing drills are an excellent way to develop your court vision, awareness of potential passing lanes, and decision-making skills. Here are some passing drills that coaches and players can incorporate into their practice sessions:
Passing Lanes and Patience Drill
This drill works on both the offense and defense simultaneously. For the offense, it promotes patience, making good passes, and working for great shots. It also helps build habits like crashing the offensive boards. For the defense, this drill emphasizes getting into passing lanes, blocking out, and limiting the offense to one shot. It encourages defensive players to play hard without fouling.
Bull in the Ring
This is a great team passing drill that helps players read where the defense is and make good passes away from the defenders. The drill can be easily adapted as players improve their skills.
Argentina Passing
This drill focuses on communication and making accurate passes without traveling.
No Dribble Advancement
This drill is excellent for younger players to improve their passing and pivoting skills, decision-making, and ability to handle pressure.
Three-Man Weave
This drill involves three players and two basketballs. Player 1, positioned in the middle, passes to Player 2 and then runs behind them. Player 2 passes to Player 3 and then runs behind. Player 3 passes back to Player 1, who has moved to the opposite side. This weave pattern continues down the court, with players passing and moving in a zig-zag formation.
Lane Passing Drill
In this drill, players form four lines: one on each elbow and one on each block. The player at the left elbow starts with a ball, as does the player on the right block. A defender stands between each set of lines, facing the ball. The defender follows the pass back and forth, and new defenders are rotated in every few minutes. Players should remember to fake one direction and then use the opening to make a pass through a cleaner passing lane.
Basic Passing Technique Drills
Before progressing to more complex drills, players should get comfortable with the basic passing techniques. Partners stand facing each other at a short distance and practice passing the ball back and forth using chest passes, focusing on accuracy and speed. As they improve, the distance can be gradually increased. Another variation is to form a circle with players evenly spaced apart and pass the ball around the circle using chest passes, bounce passes, and overhead passes. Emphasize quick ball movement and maintaining good spacing.
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Frequently asked questions
Passing is the quickest and most effective way to get the ball from player to player and move it around the court. The fundamentals of passing include keeping your eyes forward, using your peripheral vision, and knowing where your teammates are. A good passer knows how to deliver the ball with "touch", using the right velocity and angle to make it an easy catch for the receiver.
It's important to use your peripheral vision and keep your eyes forward to scan for open teammates. Anticipate where your teammate will be and pass to that spot, leading the receiver. Practice different types of passes such as the chest pass, bounce pass, push pass, and overhead pass to improve your passing mechanics and know when to use each type.
Off-ball defenders should focus on obtaining the basketball by constantly attacking and anticipating passing lanes. Watch the passer's eyes as they may telegraph their passes. Play "UP" between your opponent and the ball, extending your arm straight out into the passing lane with your palm facing the passer.
