Kristian Ferrell
Passing is an essential part of basketball, and there are several types of passes that players can use to outwit their opponents. All passes can be categorized as either air passes, which reach their intended receiver without touching the floor, or bounce passes, which hit the floor before reaching the receiver. This paragraph will introduce some of the most common types of passes in basketball, including the chest pass, the overhead pass, the skip pass, the dribble pass, and the baseball pass.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of categories | 2 |
| Category 1 | Air Pass |
| Category 2 | Bounce Pass |
| Air Pass characteristic | Passes that reach their intended receiver without hitting the floor |
| Bounce Pass characteristic | Passes that hit the floor before reaching the receiver |
| Chest Pass | Grab the ball with two hands and drop it to your chest level. Pass to your teammate so that they receive it at chest level |
| Overhead Pass | Often used to reverse the ball on offense quickly. The pass starts with both hands holding the ball directly behind the head |
| Skip Pass | When a player skips over the nearest teammate and passes the ball to a teammate further away on the court |
| Dribble Pass | The goal is to surprise the defender, making a quick pass that they'll have trouble stopping. It is always executed with one hand |
| Pick-and-Roll Pass | Involves two offensive players—the passer and the screener. If the passer is being guarded closely, the best way to free them up is to have a teammate set a screen on the defender |
| Baseball Pass | A one-handed pass that resembles the action of throwing a baseball. It is used to send a long pass quickly downfield to a teammate |
| Lob Pass | A high-arcing pass thrown over a defender to an offensive player who is positioned to score. It often sets up a slam dunk |
| Behind-the-Back Pass | Used to avoid a defender standing in front of you. It requires court awareness and is most effective when you do not look in the direction you are passing |
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What You'll Learn
Air passes and bounce passes
Passing is an essential part of basketball, and there are two broad categories of passes: air passes and bounce passes.
Air Passes
Air passes are those that reach their intended receiver without touching the floor. One type of air pass is the baseball pass, which is used on fast breaks and full-court passes when the offensive team is inbounding the basketball with little time left. It requires above-average strength and accuracy. To make a baseball pass, the player extends the ball behind their head with their throwing arm while turning their chest backward, then steps forward with the opposite leg and throws the ball toward the target. This pass can be used to avoid a defender when a forward pass seems dangerous. Another type of air pass is the overhead pass, which is used to reverse the ball on offense quickly and is often used to make a skip pass. To throw an overhead pass, the player uses both hands and extends the ball over their head, winding up and throwing the ball high so that defenders can't jump and deflect it.
Bounce Passes
Bounce passes, on the other hand, always hit the floor before reaching their receiver. One example is the chest pass, which is one of the most widely used passes in basketball. To perform a chest pass, the player grabs the ball with two hands and drops it to chest level, with palms on each side, fingers spread out, and thumbs pointing toward each other on top of the ball. The ball is then passed to the teammate so that they receive it at chest level. This pass is most effective when defenders are sagging away from offensive players. Another type of bounce pass is the dribble pass, which is executed when a player is dribbling the ball and, without stopping, passes it to a teammate. This is a continuous motion and is usually done with one hand.
While air passes and bounce passes are fundamental to the game, it's important to remember that even the most basic pass can become complicated depending on the situation.
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Overhead passes
An overhead pass is a basketball passing technique that involves throwing the ball over one's head with both hands towards a teammate. It is often used to quickly reverse the ball on offense, getting it from one side of the court to the other. This pass is typically faster, with more velocity and power, compared to other passes like the chest pass or bounce pass. This extra speed can give the offensive team an advantage if the defensive team cannot recover in time to guard against the pass receiver.
The overhead pass is commonly used for a skip pass, where the passer skips the player nearest to them and passes to a teammate further away on the court. This is effective against zone defence, where defenders guard a general court area rather than players. The overhead pass allows the ball to travel a long distance above defenders, and if executed quickly, can open up gaps as the defence shifts to adjust.
To perform an overhead pass, a player holds the ball straight above or slightly in front of their head with both hands and then throws it towards their teammate. This pass is often used during transition offence, helping to get the ball down the court quickly and creating fast-break scoring opportunities.
For example, if offensive player 2 is attacking the rim and beats the defence, they can throw an overhead pass to player 4, especially if the defender's hands are down, giving them an opportunity to shoot. This forces the defence to close out towards player 4, preventing a potential three-point shot opportunity.
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Chest passes
To execute a chest pass, a player should grab the ball with both hands, with the palms on each side of the basketball and the fingers spread out. The thumbs should be pointing towards each other on top of the ball, and the ball should be held at chest level. The player then passes the ball to their teammate so that it reaches them at chest level.
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Baseball passes
Basketball is a team sport, and passing is an essential part of the game. Passes can be categorized into two types: air passes and bounce passes. Air passes reach the intended receiver without touching the floor, while bounce passes always hit the floor before reaching the receiver.
One type of air pass is the baseball pass, which is an offensive action where the passer throws the ball to a receiver using a throwing motion similar to a pitcher's throw in baseball. This pass is often used to generate quick scoring opportunities, such as a fast-break layup, before the defensive team is fully prepared. It is particularly effective when a potential receiver is sprinting towards the basket while defenders chase behind. The baseball pass can be thrown with enough power to float over the defenders, allowing the receiver to catch it and score.
To execute a baseball pass effectively, players should follow these steps:
- Assume a proper stance, similar to a quarterback pointing their non-throwing shoulder towards the target.
- Grip the ball with the finger pads, keeping the fingers slightly bent and ensuring the palm does not touch the ball.
- Position the ball near the ear on the same side as the throwing arm, with the throwing palm facing up.
- Step towards the receiver and release the ball.
While the baseball pass can be a powerful tool, it also has drawbacks. As a long air pass, it can be intercepted by savvy defenders if not executed properly. Therefore, players should assess the defensive situation before attempting this pass, ensuring that the receiver can catch it with minimal defensive resistance.
In addition to the baseball pass, there are several other types of passes in basketball, including the chest pass, bounce pass, overhead pass, dribble pass, pick-and-roll pass, no-look pass, and skip pass. Each type of pass has its advantages and is suited to different in-game situations.
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Dribble passes
Basketball is a team sport, and passing is an essential part of the game. There are two broad categories of passes in basketball: Air Passes and Bounce Passes. Air Passes reach their intended receiver without touching the floor, while Bounce Passes hit the floor before reaching the receiver.
A dribble pass is useful when an off-ball offensive player cuts towards the perimeter area, as they can receive the ball quickly and create a scoring opportunity. It can also be used when an off-ball player executes a backdoor cut to the basket. The dribble action triggers an automatic backdoor cut, and the passer can then execute a bounce pass off the dribble, allowing the receiver to score.
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Frequently asked questions
Air passes and bounce passes. Air passes reach their intended receiver without touching the floor, while bounce passes hit the floor before reaching the receiver.
Chest passes, overhead passes, and behind-the-back passes are all examples of air passes.
Grab the ball with both hands and drop it to your chest level. Spread your fingers with your thumbs pointing at each other on top of the ball. Push the ball forward from your chest with your arms.
Bounce passes are useful in tight spaces when you are passing to a teammate who is being guarded. They are best used when defenders have their hands in the air.
The skip pass, lob pass, and baseball pass are all more advanced passing techniques.
