Pass

Passing in basketball is a way for players to move the ball on the court between teammates. Passing is a two-step process that requires a minimum of two players on the same team to be effective. The passer must be accurate and must put the correct amount of velocity on the pass in order to reach their teammate in a timely fashion and in the right location.

In order to pass the ball, a player must throw or move the ball to a teammate and the teammate must catch the ball. Passing is the fastest way to move the ball on the court large distances since teammates can catch passes from anywhere. Except if they are in the backcourt and their teammate passes to them from the frontcourt this is a backcourt violation and a loss of possession.

There are rules in basketball that describe how a player can pass the ball. Here is a list of passing rules in basketball:

• players can pass from anywhere on the court as long as they stay inbounds;
• you can use one or two hands to pass the ball;
• you can pass the ball using an overhand or underhand motion;
• there is no limit on how hard a player can throw the ball;
• you cannot pass the ball to yourself;
• on a pass, you cannot be the first player to touch the ball;
• players cannot pass from the frontcourt to the backcourt;
• players cannot take more than two steps without dribbling in order to complete a pass.

Types of passes:

1. Bounce pass. The bounce pass is a fundamental and very effective passing technique. This pass consists of one player passing the ball to a teammate by bouncing the ball off the floor. Because the ball will be at ground level as it passes a defender, a successful bounce pass can easily result in a scoring assist because a bounce pass is harder for defenders to steal. Still, a bounce pass may be stolen due to its slower speed. So, a player must use their best judgment when they decide whether to make such a pass.
2. Chest pass. This pass is performed best by stepping towards your target with one foot, then throwing the ball out towards their chest with two hands while turning the hands over, ending with the thumbs pointing down. It is best used in an open court and on the perimeter.
3. Over the head pass. An over the head pass is another fundamental passing technique. It is used by snapping the ball over the head, like a soccer throw-in. This pass is especially effective in helping to initiate a fast break. After a defensive rebound, a well-thrown overhead, or outlet, pass can allow a breaking offensive player to quickly score without even dribbling by catching the ball near the basket.
4. Touch pass. A touch pass is an advanced passing technique in which a prior pass or a loose ball is immediately redirected to another player by tipping or slapping the ball. This is the quickest pass in basketball and is therefore very effective when executed correctly.
5. Baseball pass. The baseball pass is a long pass in which the passer throws the ball with one hand, as if it were a baseball or a football. It is infrequently used, mainly to set up last-second plays off a baseline inbounding situation.
6. Jump pass. A jump pass is a pass performed while the passing player’s feet are off the floor. When done intentionally, usually when a teammate gets open during the shot, it can sometimes confuse the defender, causing them to believe that the passer is shooting instead of passing. At times, however, it is done as a result of the player having their shooting lane blocked and often leads to the player turning the ball over to the opposing team. This kind of pass is risky to execute, and the chances of perfectly passing the ball to an open teammate are considerably low, as it leaves the offensive player very vulnerable to turnovers.
7. Blind pass. Also known as a no-look pass, the blind pass is performed when a player looks in one direction but passes the ball to their target in another direction. Blind passes are risky and infrequently attempted, but when done correctly, they can confuse the defense.
8. Behind-the-back. Behind-the-back passes are passes dealt to a target behind the passer’s back. Usually done to confuse the defender, behind the back passes can either be bounced off the floor or passed directly to a teammate’s chest. However, most behind-the-back passes are direct.

Here are some of the reasons why players should choose to pass the ball on the court:

• to create openings for players to take shots;
• to maintain control of the ball;
• to use time on the game clock;
• to test the defense and see what they are running;
• to keep the ball away from the defense;
• to move the defense.

An opening or gap is an area on the court that is not being guarded by the defense. Passing allows the offense to find openings on the court for easy shots to be taken. Players can also cut in order to get open for passes or to have lead passes that lead to immediate baskets.

The game clock keeps track of time in each quarter. Teams should choose to pass the ball if they want to let the game clock tick. This can be an effective method of controlling time late in the 4th quarter. This is a technique that is specifically used with the lead. When trailing it is important to make sure you manage the clock in order to give yourself enough time to get back in the game.

Passing helps the offense to control the ball and find weaknesses in the defense early in the game. As a coach, if you’re playing a new team, passing will help you discover what type of defense the other team is playing – like zone or man to man coverage. It can also help to understand which players they are most worried about defensively and whether they are double-teaming them or not. Good passing can take strong defenses off of their normal game plan.