Passing
Fundamentals
PASSING TECHNIQUES
There are three types of passes that are common:
1. Chest Pass
2. Bounce Pass
3. Overhead Pass
Chest Pass: The most common pass in basketball. It is a two hand pass. The ball is held with the fingers comfortably spread. The palms of the hands do not touch the ball. Basketball is a game of fingertips not palms. The thumbs point at each other facing the chest. Pass the ball crisply, pushing out with your hands. The follow through show have your thumbs pointing to the floor. Always throw a pass someone can catch. Have your teammate catch the ball at chest level.
Bounce Pass: The bounce pass is similar to the chest pass. The ball is thrown down to the floor and bounces up to the pass receiver. If the pass is thrown too hard on the floor, it will bounce too high and be a poor pass. Younger players need to practice how hard to throw the ball. Care must be taken when throwing a bounce pass so that it does not bounce too late and hit the receiver too low.
Overhead Pass: The overhead pass is made similar to the chest pass, only brining the ball over head, still with both hands, and passing to a receiver. It takes some strength to throw this pass accurately. It can also be used as a lob pass, a high arcing pass, to a receiver.
Passing Tips of the Trade
1. Follow through! Do not be lazy with the ball.
2. Fake the chest pass and throw the bounce pass. Fake the bounce pass and
make the chest pass.
3. Do not be a mailman, do not stare where you are going to pass.
4. Use your fingertips and keep the palms off the ball.
5. Overhead passes need to be controlled
6. Pass away from the defensive let your teammate catch it.
7. Pass the ball to the chest area of your teammate.
8. Take care on long passes. See the floor completely before throwing as the
ball will be in the air longer and the defense can intercept the pass.
9. As you play with your teammates you will find some like to catch the ball
a certain way, like up higher or to the right hand, so learn your teammates'
tendencies.