Passing is an essential part of basketball, and one of the most important skills any player can have. Whether it’s an overhead pass, bounce pass, or chest pass, learning the techniques and drill to master this important skill will take your game to the next level.
In this article, we’ll cover the basics of passing fundamentals, different types of passes, how to use passes to find openings, clock management, understanding opposing defenses, and drills to improve your passing ability. Get ready to gain some valuable tips and tricks to help up your game!
Basic Passing Fundamentals
Passing is a key skill in basketball that involves everyone and helps you involve other players. It’s all about making and receiving the pass, how the receiver moves, using two hands, and keeping it simple. Using two hands and keeping it simple helps with accuracy and stops you from losing the ball. Receiver movement opens up the field and gives you better angles to pass, so it makes it easier to get the pass off.
Coaches should bear in mind younger players’ physical and mental constraints, lack of muscle, growing grasp of space and time, and sluggish recognition abilities when teaching passing. Tips to help with passing and cut down on turnovers include using two hands, making easy passes, avoiding high/low throws, and aiming for the chest. Additionally, the difference between a lateral pass and a chest pass is that the lateral pass doesn’t come from your chest, it comes from your side.
Good passing is an essential skill for any basketball player, and mastering the basics of passing is the key to becoming a successful player.
Types of Basketball Passes
The three main types of basketball passes are the bounce pass, chest pass, and overhead pass. Each of these passes has its own advantages and disadvantages, and it’s important to master all of them if you want to become a great basketball player.
A bounce pass is when you pass the ball and it hits the floor before it gets to the person you’re passing it to. It’s harder for defenders to pick off and can be useful when you’re up against a close defender.
A chest pass is when you grip the ball on the sides with your thumbs behind it and throw it to the receiver’s chest level. It’s fast and efficient, which can help the team’s offense.
Lastly, an overhead pass is when you hold the ball with both hands above your forehead and throw it. This is usually used when inbounding the ball, and it can generate more power, accuracy, and distance. Knowing different types of passes in basketball can help you move the ball around better, create scoring chances, and avoid giving away the ball.
Basketball Bounce Pass
A bounce pass is when you pass the ball and it hits the floor before it gets to the person you’re passing it to. It’s different from other types of passes, like chest passes and overhead passes, because it’s lower and harder for defenders to pick off.
The trick to nailing a bounce pass is to put a nice, consistent backspin on the ball. That way, it’ll bounce in a predictable way and it’ll be easier for the receiver to catch.
A bounce pass can come in handy when you’re up against a defender who’s playing real close and a higher pass might get picked off. It’s also great when you’re passing to someone who’s running towards the basket. Aim for a spot on the ground about two-thirds of the way between you and your teammate and the ball should bounce right up into their hands.
Basketball Chest Pass
A chest pass is when you grip the ball on the sides with your thumbs behind it and throw it to the receiver’s chest level. Keeping it at the same height, low to high or high to low passes are hard to catch. It’s important to aim for the receiver’s chest level when doing a chest pass so they can catch the ball and keep control of it.
Throwing a chest pass too high or too low will drag down the offense and increase the risk of a turnover. The chest pass is a basic pass that all levels of basketball can use. It’s a fast and efficient way to move the ball up the court, which can lead to more scoring chances and less turnovers, keeping the offense moving.
Basketball Overhead Pass
An overhead pass is when you hold the ball with both hands above your forehead and throw it. It’s usually used when inbounding the ball and has the benefit of getting more power, accuracy and distance.
Doing an overhead pass means bringing the ball above your forehead with both hands on the side, then following through, aiming for your teammate’s chin. An overhead pass is better for getting more power, accuracy and distance, while an underhand pass is better for quick, short passes or to throw off your opponent.
How to Use Passes to Find Openings
Basketball openings are unguarded spots on the court that can be taken advantage of by passing and cutting. Passing helps us move the ball quickly and spot openings in the defense. The most common passes used to find openings are bounce passes, chest passes, and overhead passes, though there are plenty of other advanced variations.
Cutting with passing helps take advantage of openings by making the defense move around and be confused, making it easier to find unguarded spots on the court. By using passes and cutting to exploit openings, teams can get easy baskets and outmaneuver the opposition.
Clock Management
Passing can be used to manage the game clock. In order to do this, players need to quicken their passes, go for the easy play, make sure the ball is caught, and focus on what is important. Teams behind on the scoreboard should manage the clock well to give themselves a chance to catch up.
It is also important to consider physical and mental limitations, especially when it comes to young kids. Players need to recognize the situation quickly so they can make the right decisions. And, they should use the same motion for each pass, as this will help them to better keep track of the clock.
Having a good reference point of the game clock is also important, as this will help them to time their passes and make sure they are keeping track of the game.
Understanding Opposing Defense
Getting a handle on the other team’s defense is key to successful basketball passing. Knowing the opposing team’s defensive scheme can help you identify weaknesses and take advantage of them. When passing, it’s important to pay attention to the defender’s body position, such as their feet, hands, and nose.
This will help you make better decisions with the ball and find open shots. It’s also important to practice dribbling and passing with both hands, as this will help you be able to make passes in any situation. Additionally, studying the person guarding you will give you insight into their defensive strategy, such as whether they are playing man-to-man or zone coverage.
When passing, you can often discover information about the other team. For example, if you see a player constantly double-teaming you, you can adjust your passes and look for an open teammate. Or, if you see the defense switching a lot, you can try a behind-the-back pass or a pass to the opposite foot of the intended receiver. Knowing the other team’s defensive strategy can give you an edge when it comes to passing.
By understanding the opposing defense, you can make smarter passes that will help your team get open shots. Pay attention to the body position of the defenders, practice dribbling and passing with both hands, and study the other team’s defense to gain an advantage and find open shots. With the right passing technique and knowledge of the opposing team’s defense, you can become a great passer.
Drills to Improve Passing
Practicing passing with defenders is essential for sharpening decision-making and passing accuracy in game-like scenarios. With a partner, a player can practice the diamond passing drill, where four players form a diamond and pass the ball around while a defender tries to stop them.
The wall pass drill is also effective, where two players pass the ball against a wall while a defender tries to get in between passes. Rapid fire chest passing practice is recommended as well, where two people stand facing each other and pass the ball back and forth as fast as they can, while a defender tries to steal it.
For solo drills, stationary drills or running up and down a wall or fence to control distance and speed of passes are great ways to improve passing skills. Going up and down a wall or fence can help with controlling the distance and speed of passes, which is key in game play.
For more drills, players can grab some more passing drills from the free e-book, Winning Basketball Drills.
Summary
In conclusion, basketball is a sport of skill and finesse. Developing the fundamentals of passing is key to success on the court. The three main types of basketball passes – the bounce pass, chest pass, and overhead pass – have their own advantages and drawbacks and need to be perfected for effective ball movement.
Passing and cutting drills can be used to exploit openings in the defense and progress the offense. Clock management is also important in basketball as it helps give teams catching up a chance.
Finally, understanding opposing defenses can help great passers identify weaknesses and make smarter passes to create easier shots. By applying these tips and drills together, mastering the art of basketball passing and taking your games to the next level is only a few dribbles away.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is passing the ball in basketball?
Passing the ball in basketball is an integral part of the game, requiring one player to intentionally move the ball and find an open teammate. It’s a crucial part of helping your team win a game as it allows players to keep possession of the basketball.
When done correctly, passing can result in powerful plays that lead to a much higher chance of success.
How should you pass the ball in basketball?
To pass effectively in basketball, spread your fingers out and form an oval between the thumbs and index fingers of each hand. Bring the ball close to your chest and aim for a teammate’s chin.
Also, remember to push the ball out towards the target while stepping towards the target at the same time, and sometimes a bounce pass might be more helpful than a direct pass.
How do you get assists in basketball?
Getting an assist in basketball involves passing the ball to a teammate in a way that leads directly to them scoring a basket. An assist can also be credited when a basket is awarded due to defensive goaltending.
To ensure you get an assist, pass the ball to your teammate before they score and make sure their immediate reaction is directed toward the basket.
Sources
1. usab.com – Basketball 101: Fundamentals Of Passing
2. coachesclipboard.net – Basketball Fundamentals – the Art of Passing
3. wikihow.com – 3 Ways to Pass a Basketball
4. rookieroad.com – Basketball Passing
5. breakthroughbasketball.com – Basketball Passing Fundamentals, Drills, and Tips
