Kristian Ferrell
Passing is one of the most under-taught skills in basketball, despite being a fundamental part of the game. Passing is the quickest way to get the ball from player to player and move it around the court. It is important to teach children not only the skill of passing but also the mentality behind it. There are several types of passes, such as the chest pass, bounce pass, overhead pass, push pass, and baseball pass, each used in different game situations. Coaches can use a variety of drills to teach passing skills, such as 2v2 or 3v3 games, or drills that focus on spacing between players and decision-making. Passing drills can be done alone or with a partner, and coaches should emphasise the importance of good sportsmanship and the basics of each pass type before trying out a tournament.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Passing technique | Basic chest, bounce, and overhead passes |
| Passing drills | Using a wall, fence, or similar to practice |
| Passing form | Elbows tucked in, fingers spread around the ball, thumbs up |
| Wrists | Pointed upward |
| Distance | Control distance of the pass by moving forward and backward from the wall |
| Passing types | Baseball, dribble, behind-the-back, pick and roll |
| Passing mindset | Teach passing as an opportunity to create influential playmakers |
| Passing in games | 2 on 2 and 3 on 3 games to practice passing concepts |
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What You'll Learn
- Teach the chest pass: start with the ball held in two hands, elbows tucked in, fingers spread around the ball with thumbs up
- Teach the bounce pass: ball aimed towards the ground, thrown so it's received at waist height
- Teach the overhead pass: hold the ball behind the head with elbows bent, step forward and extend elbows to pass
- Teach the baseball pass: a one-handed pass, similar to a baseball throw, used for long passes
- Teach the dribble pass: used to quickly pass the ball with one hand off the dribble
Teach the chest pass: start with the ball held in two hands, elbows tucked in, fingers spread around the ball with thumbs up
When teaching kids how to pass a basketball, it is important to keep in mind their physical and mental limitations. Young players often lack the strength to execute the moves they see on television, and are still developing their sensory and motor skills. Passing is a fundamental skill in basketball, and one of the most under-taught and under-emphasized skills in the game.
To teach the chest pass, start by holding the ball in front of the chest with both hands, elbows tucked in, fingers spread around the ball, and thumbs pointing up. This is the correct starting position for a chest pass.
From this position, the passer should step in the direction of the pass, extending their legs, back, and arms. The ball should be pushed from the chest with both arms, not from one shoulder. The fingers should rotate behind the ball, and the thumbs should turn down, so that the back of the hands face one another. The ball should be released off the first and second fingers of both hands.
To finish the pass, the arms should be fully extended, fingers pointing at the target, and thumbs pointing to the floor. This is called the follow-through. It is important to note that the chest pass is not always the best option. It is easier to intercept than other passes, as it travels in a straight line at chest height. It is also not ideal for long or close-range passes.
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Teach the bounce pass: ball aimed towards the ground, thrown so it's received at waist height
When teaching kids how to pass in basketball, one of the fundamental passes to cover is the bounce pass. This pass is executed by bending your knees, holding the ball with both hands, and bouncing it off the floor so that it reaches your teammate at waist height. It originates from the same area on the torso as the chest pass, but instead of being thrown directly at the receiver, it is aimed towards the ground.
To perform a bounce pass, start by bending your knees and holding the ball with both hands. Align yourself squarely with where you intend to send the ball, facing your target. Step ahead with one foot and push off firmly from your back foot at the release to generate momentum, which will result in a more powerful pass. When throwing the ball, aim for it to hit the ground about two-thirds to three-quarters of the way towards your teammate. This will ensure that the ball bounces up to waist height for them to catch it.
The bounce pass is particularly useful in tight spaces when you want to pass to a teammate who is being guarded. It can be used to dodge defenders and maintain possession under pressure. If there is a defender standing between you and your teammate, aim for the ball to hit the ground near them. This will make it easier for your teammate to catch the ball and more challenging for your opponent to intercept.
It is important to practice the bounce pass regularly under different scenarios to improve. Essential teaching points to cover include recognizing suitable situations for using the bounce pass, mastering the correct passing technique, choosing the optimal point of contact based on the defender's position and distance from the target, and ensuring proper follow-through during release.
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Teach the overhead pass: hold the ball behind the head with elbows bent, step forward and extend elbows to pass
Passing is a fundamental skill in basketball, and one of the most common passes is the overhead pass. To teach kids how to execute an overhead pass, start with the basics of holding the ball and the footwork, then move on to the arm movement and follow-through.
First, the kids should hold the ball with both hands directly behind the head, with elbows bent and thumbs pointed at the forehead. The feet should be staggered, with the dominant foot slightly behind the other, and the weight shifted to the back foot. This position allows for a quick release and reduces the risk of the ball being stolen by an opponent.
Next, instruct them to step forward with the dominant foot towards the target, keeping the feet, hips, and shoulders square. Simultaneously, they should extend the elbows and snap the wrists to create backspin on the ball. The arms should go through a short range of motion, with the majority of the movement coming from the elbows rather than the shoulders.
Finally, emphasize the importance of accuracy when performing an overhead pass. Aiming for the chest or chin of the teammate, depending on the play, will increase the likelihood of a successful pass.
The overhead pass is an effective way to move the ball down the court quickly and is often used when in-bounding. It is a valuable skill for kids to learn, as it encourages teamwork and creates opportunities for influential playmakers.
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Teach the baseball pass: a one-handed pass, similar to a baseball throw, used for long passes
The baseball pass is a one-handed pass, similar to a baseball throw, used for long passes. It is one of the passes in basketball that players will experiment with by default, especially when trying to generate more power for a longer pass or accelerate the ball faster.
Teaching the baseball pass technique early can help cut off any possible problems before they become immediate concerns. Here are some key teaching points to assist in maximizing the performance of this technique:
- Passing out of a Triple Threat Stance: As with all passes, practising passing out of a triple threat stance initially will assist in creating balance and control. As players develop the coordination to perform the baseball pass more effectively, they can practice passing using this technique while running.
- Rotate at the Hips: This action is crucial for generating power and improving control and accuracy. The non-throwing shoulder should point towards the target, helping the passer line up their body with the intended target.
- Step Forward to the Target: As the passing-side hip rotates back and towards the target, the snapping action caused by this movement will generate significant power. This allows the energy generated in the feet and legs to be coordinated, so the force flows through the body and into the passing arm.
- Lead with the Elbow and Fully Extend the Arm: Extending the arm will allow for maximum power to be embedded into the pass. Leading with the elbow ensures the arm is fully extended, pointing towards the target.
- Snap Wrist to put Backspin on the Ball: Backspin helps the receiving player catch the ball and have it stick in their palms. The stronger the snapping action, the more backspin is imparted on the ball, assisting in keeping it at a low trajectory during flight.
It is important to note that younger players may struggle with the baseball pass, as the weight of the basketball may cause issues when supporting it with only one hand. Ensure that young kids do not throw their arms out when attempting this pass.
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Teach the dribble pass: used to quickly pass the ball with one hand off the dribble
When teaching kids how to pass a basketball, it's important to keep in mind their physical and mental limitations. Young players often lack the strength to execute the moves they see on television, and they are still developing their sensory and motor skills. Basic passing types should be mastered before moving on to more complex variations.
The dribble pass is a fundamental skill in basketball that can be used to quickly advance the ball and create opportunities for scoring. It involves bouncing the ball low to the ground with relaxed and spread fingers, using rapid arm strokes to shield the ball from defenders. When teaching the dribble pass to kids, it's important to emphasize the following key points:
- Dribbling should be done with the finger pads, with the wrist pushing the ball and the forearm moving up and down.
- The ball should be dribbled with both the left and right hands equally to maintain control and maneuverability.
- Basic dribble moves such as the speed dribble, crossover, protect-the-ball dribble, and back-up dribble should be practiced.
- The dribble pass is executed by quickly passing the ball with one hand off the dribble. This can be done by throwing the ball in the air or bouncing it on the floor.
To teach the dribble pass effectively, coaches can use a variety of drills and games. For younger kids, it is recommended to use smaller balls such as Gatorskin balls or mini basketballs, and to adjust the goal height to make it easier for them to shoot. Here are some specific drills to teach the dribble pass:
- Stationary drills: Set up a wall, a fence, or any other structure that can capture the ball and send it back. Start with stationary drills and then progress to moving up and down the wall to control the distance and speed of the dribble pass.
- 2-on-2 and 3-on-3 games: These games provide players with more space to practice their dribble passes and other skills. Ensure that the drills and games are age-appropriate.
- Shooting games: Games such as "PIG" or "Smackball" can help teach shooting and passing skills. Partners take turns shooting, and if a goal is scored, the partner must copy the shot.
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Frequently asked questions
Some fun games to teach kids passing include the classic "PIG" or "Instant Replay", where players take turns shooting and the partner must copy the shot. Another game is Smackball, which can be played with partners or groups of three, and the goal height can be varied.
Some basic passing techniques include the chest pass, bounce pass, and overhead pass. The chest pass is the most common pass and is used when there is no defender between the passer and the receiver. The bounce pass is used in tight spaces, and the ball is thrown so that it hits the ground 3/4 of the way to the receiver. The overhead pass starts with the ball held behind the head and is used to move the ball around the perimeter.
It is important to teach kids the mentality of passing as an unselfish act to include other players, rather than something to do when they don't have a shot. Coaches should also emphasize the basics of spacing between players and decision-making on when to pass. Passing drills can be done with a wall, fence, or other objects to help kids practice different types of passes.
Recommended resources include the Youth Coaching System with Jim Huber, which provides drills and techniques for teaching fundamentals to kids. The Progressive Youth Ball Handling & Footwork Workout App offers workouts that can be done anywhere to improve ball-handling skills, which are crucial for passing.
