Passing is a very important part of the game that is overlooked by today’s players since passers very rarely get the same glory that a scorer gets.  It must be noted, though, that scorers need passers - a great pass often leads to a great shot.  In this article I will discuss on a basic level the different types of passes, how to implement these passes, where the ball should be thrown and even when to execute the fancy pass.  Also, at the bottom of the page is a quick hitting list of those passing tips that are easily forgotten but vitally necessary to your success as a passer.  Although this might seem like Passing 101, we all need refresher courses from time to time.

There are four basic passes in the game of basketball.

The first pass is the chest pass.  When demonstrating the chest pass both hands should be on the sides of the ball with thumbs facing up. When you release the ball your fingers should end up pointing to your target with your palms facing out and your thumbs should have rotated to point towards the ground.  This is a two handed pass that covers ground more quickly than most other passes.

The next pass is the bounce pass, which is accomplished in a similar manner to the chest pass only the ball should skip off the ground about a foot before hitting the intended target.  The fingers will point toward the spot that the ball bounces on the ground again with palms facing out and thumbs down.  This is a two handed pass that is slower than the chest pass, but can often be used to avoid a defender’s hand in the passing lane.

The overhead pass is the next topic. The overhead pass is used when the defender’s hands are down and you pass over the top of the defender. This can be used to skip the ball from one wing to another or to get the ball into a taller post player.  In both cases, the pass needs to leave your hands as they are outstretched over your head.  This puts air under the ball giving it the space needed to clear all other players before hitting its intended target.

The hardest of the basic passes is the baseball pass.  The ball is passed with one hand, which makes this pass very risky.  Remember your three middle fingers or what I call directional fingers pass the ball and end up pointing to the target.  It is called the baseball pass because you through it over your shoulder just as you would throw a baseball.  This pass is primarily used to throw long passes, usually from out of bounds at one baseline to a player at the other end of the court.

Passing Quick Tips

· Always pass the ball with authority and step into your passes.

· Every pass should begin with your legs slightly bent and ready to step toward your target.

· Players tend to be lazy today, a lot of times they make the correct pass but they do not utilize the pivot to create a better angle.  The pivot can easily be used to either step closer to the target or step around a defender to create a clearer passing angle.  Individuals who still have their dribble can use the dribble in the same manner to create a better and safer passing angle.

· Faking high and passing low and vice versa will help you complete the pass to your teammate.  These ball fakes keeps the defenders on their toes and when the defender’s hands go up after a high fake, you can pass under his hands with a bounce pass.  The same is true of faking low to draw the defender’s hands down in order to pass over them.

· Another problem that young players have is passing the ball to the inside of the offensive player.  This makes it easier for a defender to steal or disrupt the pass.  All perimeter passing should be made to your target’s outside hand, making it a much difficult pass to steal.

· A great passer can lead the receiver into a shot if they read the defender correctly.  I teach all my players to pass the ball to the shooter’s shooting hand. This leads the shooter right into their shot.  Often, an accurate pass increases the accuracy of the shooter.

· There are times in a game when you can make fancy passes.  We see people use the behind the back, between the legs, the touch pass, and the no look pass.  But I prefer players to make the simple pass.  One of my favorite quotes is “Remember to keep it simple stupid.”

· There has to be timing and accuracy between the passer and the receiver.  The receiver should always give the passer a target or what I call big hands with the fingers spread and ready to receive the ball.

· The passer must snap the ball into the target’s hands.

· When we shoot the ball we follow thru - well the same concept is true every time you make a pass.

· A great passer always makes sure his/her teammate can do something with the ball when they receive it.

· Good passing can be contagious.  The teams who execute efficiently on any level tend to be great passing teams.

· The passer is equally as important as the shooter.  Therefore, strive to be a great passer.