Passing For Beginners In Basketball: Tips To Improve

This blog post is for beginners in basketball that are looking to improve passing. There are many different types of passing, and they all have their unique benefits. Knowing the different passes will help you understand when to use them during a game.

Passing can be used to move the ball around the court, as well as in offensive and defensive situations. You should practice passing with a partner so that you may likely impact on your form.

Different Types Of Passes In Basketball

Bounce Pass

The bounce pass in basketball is a pass where you bounce the ball to your teammate. This type of passing is used because it gives the other player time to move into an open space. Or get away from their defender.

Basketball bounce passes need to be thrown quickly and forcefully at the target’s waist level. Thumbs raised and facing downward, the passing hand makes contact with the ball to provide backspin for ball control. Be sure to throw them a pass that is nice and sharp.

Don’t lead them too far, though, as this will make receiving tough, so that they can grab it quickly. Use this technique when passing along the baseline: point your toe in the direction you wish to throw the pass. After then, lift your passing hand off the floor and follow through in the direction of where you wish to pass.

Bounce passes are often made when the defender’s arms are spread out and you want your teammate to still receive it at around hip or waist level. These passes often aimed near around the foot of the defender makes it hard for the defense to reach it compared to a regular chest pass.

Chest Pass

Moving onto the chest pass in basketball, this passing technique is used closer to the mid-court. This passing method can be performed with one hand or two hands depending on your preference!

Basketball chest passes should always be thrown at eye or chest level because the recipient has a better chance of catching it and keeping possession of the ball once they do.

Over-the-head Pass

The over-the-head pass is used when passing the ball behind you or passing to a player who is ahead of you. The overhead pass in basketball should always be thrown at eye level. So that it’s easier for your teammate to catch!

If the other players are far apart on different sides of the court, the over-the-head pass is used. Since there isn’t much control after throwing it due to its distance and speed, this form of passing demands two hands!

Throwing this type of pass will make or break this play, so follow through with both arms extended outward in the direction you want the ball to go!

This pass called “overhead” in some cultures and countries are often used when making a pass across the court where there are several defenders on the floor; which is why it’s also sometimes regarded as a “cross court” pass.

Baseball Pass

The baseball pass in basketball is the most powerful passing technique. The baseball pass in basketball will require two hands due to its strength but can be thrown with one hand overall!

This passing technique is best used when passing behind or between the knees of your opponent because it demands strength that isn’t present in other passes.

As you release the ball from either of your hands, it should always go over your head and then at eye level since this helps you have greater control over where it goes.

This passes are usually done when throwing a full court pass to your teammate on a fast break!

You want to keep track of how fast or slow you are throwing this type of pass. So that both players know when they need to adjust themselves accordingly during gameplay!

One-hand Push Pass

The one-hand push passing technique is used when passing the ball by pushing it to your teammate. This type of passing allows for more control than other passing techniques because it can be done with either hand!

When making contact with the basketball, the player’s passing palm should always be facing downward to ensure a precise pass that is neither too strong nor too weak.

Moving yourself around is one method to practice this kind of pass,  then using a backspin on your passes once you’re in range. As a result, teammates can capture them more easily!

Make sure you use both hands during this drill. Since there will likely be two people catching it at once during gameplay which requires double coverage sometimes.

Lob Pass

The lob pass consists of offensive action in which a player in possession of the basketball throws it into the air with a high arc, usually over at least one defender, to a teammate who could then catch the ball and potentially score.

These “lob passes” are often called “alley oop” where most elite athletes would have an open dunk as a result. However, it’s still called a lob pass even if the receipent just lays the ball up or get the ball anywhere around near the basket.

Kind of Pass	Purpose / Action
Bounce Pass	Prevent defense from reaching
Chest Pass	Direct and quick pass to teammate
Over-the-head Pass	Made across the court away from defense
Baseball Pass	Mostly used on full court transition
One-Hand Push Pass	Quick passes made from moving / dribbling
Lob Pass	High arc for a potential easy teammate score

How To Practice Passing In Basketball?

These passing strategies are only a few of the numerous ones used in basketball. The most crucial thing to keep in mind when passing is to get open in order to get a simple pass! Your passes should be precise and delivered at the precise moment that your teammate needs them.

If someone doesn’t know how to properly catch a ball. Then try passing by their hip or chest area during gameplay since this gives them more control over the situation.

The main way players should practice passing is through drills that help improve accuracy. While moving around quickly like dribbling drills (with cones). Before attempting any kind of risky pass, be sure your teammates are always in communication with one another.

Because turnovers happen if they aren’t done correctly or quick enough! Remember these tips for better passing next time you’re on the court passing for beginners in basketball.

Passing Drills In Basketball

Pass, Dribble and Move

The player’s passing accuracy and timing are put into perspective by this straightforward dribbling drill used to teach passing in basketball. Place cones at various angles and a great distance apart all around your body for this one, then begin passing it toward the first cone!

The next step would be moving to where the second cone is as fast as possible without stopping or losing control of your ball before getting there. Then pass again but move over to where the third cone will be which should all happen within a short amount of time since these are quick drills meant for speed!

Two people moving at the same time can bounce off one another by using this passing technique.

Different Angles and Places

Another way players can improve passing in basketball is by bypassing the ball from all different angles or places on their bodies. For example, passing between your legs while passing it back and forth to yourself will help improve accuracy for this type of play since you have a better view of where you want the ball to go!

If there is adequate room for both players, you can even try passing with two hands at once, which needs more accuracy because of how strong some passes are in games.

If done correctly, these kinds of dribbling drills should only take about 30 minutes total if doing them consecutively over time.

Focus On The Passing Aspect

When practicing passing in this manner, players should put their full attention on passing, which calls for accurate timing and attentiveness for effective games. Next time you’re wanting to improve your passing or need passing drill ideas, combine the two of these drills for a fresh approach.

Side-to-Side Passes

Another illustration would be side-to-side passes; as they are frequently used in game scenarios that call for quick thinking from teammates, it is important that everyone understands how to use them.

One great kind of side-passing technique involves simply pushing the ball up into a teammate’s hand, but another way is passing it to them by their upper back or outside shoulder.

What Is An Outlet Pass In Basketball?

An outlet pass in basketball is simply a pass made in basketball by the player taking a defensive rebound to a teammate to initiate a fast break. It is most often used by the guard or point guard positions.

Conclusion

To wrap up our blog on passing tips for beginners in basketball, we would like to emphasize that passing is a fundamental part of this sport that helps with just about every aspect on the court! This includes passing to teammates when playing defense or offense since it can help create better transition opportunities.

Are you good at passing in basketball? Which passing type do you prefer? Let us know. We have plenty of Basketball drills for you guys, don’t forget to check them out here!