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Passing a basketball is really a complex skill. Quick
hands, peripheral vision, good timing, and a razor sharp brain power are
qualities that produce outstanding passers. The simplest quality is probably the
most important attribute a good passer must process:
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He must be a team player.
Some players make seemingly good passes that are
intercepted. Even so, a receiver must be alert and assume his share of
responsibility.
I believe that the proper use of drills will help to
develop the desired qualities and habits in the basketball player who is
genuinely interested in improving this skill.
 The five-point drill requires the individual to meet
the ball, pass quickly, pass accurately, and move to a different position. I
like this drill because it is continuous and develops alertness.
Course of action:
1.
Four players position themselves in a square and ten feet apart and
the fifth player gets in the middle.
2.
The middle player, with a basketball, starts the drill by passing to
any player, then taking that player’s place.
3.
The receiver of the basketball passes to either the player to the
left or to the right, and taking that player’s place
4.
The second receiver passes across the square to the player on the
opposite corner and takes that player’s place.
5.
The third receiver passes to the player to his right or left and
takes that player’s place.
6.
This drill continues in this manner with the basketball moving across
(corner to corner), a side pass, corner to corner, a side pass, etc.
7.
After players become well accustomed to this passing drill, add
variations such as having each receiver to fake a pass before passing the
basketball
 This drill can be used to teach a defensive exercise;
however, greater results will derive from the passing practice involved.
Have your players treat the basketball as if it were a “hot potato” and had
to be moved quickly, but accurately.
Course of action:
1.
Form a circle with five players around the center circle and a sixth
player in the middle.
2.
The basketball is passed over, around, or by the sixth player who
makes every effort to intercept, or defect all passes.
3.
Passers are not allowed to pass the left or right, but must pass to
one of the two players across the circle from him.
4.
If the player in the center is able to intercept, or deflect, a pass,
the player who made the pass exchanges places with the player in the middle.
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 This basketball drill can be used as an offensive of
defensive drill equally. The drill makes it a bit more difficult for the
passer because the defensive player is squared away facing the offensive
player.
Course of action:
1.
Two lines of players face each other as shown in the illustration.
Ten feet separates the first player in each line.
2.
One player stands in the middle between the two lines, facing the
player with the basketball.
3.
The player with the ball, using fakes, attempts to pass by the middle
player to the first player in the opposite line.
4.
Whether, or not, the pass is successful, the passer takes the middle
player’s position. The middle player goes to the end of the line and the
receiver attempts to pass by the new player in the middle. Continue drill as
long as desired.
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 Here is a basketball drill that allows practice of
executing a wide variety of passes in a simple formation. This drill offers
the greatest opportunity for a basketball coach to instruct and correct poor
passing.
Course of action:
1.
All players line up single-file in a line. The front player is given
a basketball.
2.
The first player dribbles out, two or three dribbles, turns, and
passes. Players can use a hook, chest, bounce, or any type of pass he
chooses.
3.
Each player in line makes the same type of basketball pass in turn.
4.
When leader’s time comes again, he initiates a different type of
basketball pass which the following players mimic.
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 Once
your players learn to execute this basketball passing drill, the entire team can
be taught many different type passes.
Course of Action:
- Divide the squad into four groups and place a group at each corner of the
half-court, facing the free-throw circle.
- The first player in line (1) starts the drill by making a pass to the first
player in line (2) as illustrated in this diagram.
- The pass receiver in line (2) immediately passes back to the first player
who advances quickly for a short pass.
- As soon as the first player receives the return pass, he comes to a stop
and fires a pass to the first player in line (2) who is cutting toward line
(3).
- The first player in line (2) and the first player in line (3) go through
the same procedure.
- The first player from line (3) and the first player in line (4) follow the
same routine, likewise taking positions at the end the next group.
- Continue the action as long as desired.
- As players become accustomed, put another ball into play. Some teams can
perform this drill successfully with four balls in action at the same time.
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 Course
of action:
- Divide the squad in equal groups of at least three players per group.
- One way of running the drill is to arrange a formation of three lines
facing three lines about 10 feet apart.
- The first player in each line passes to the first man in the opposite group
and breaks to a point halfway between the groups.
- The receiver then returns the pass and cuts quickly for a handoff.
- On taking the handoff the cutting player immediately to the second player
in line as illustrated in this diagram.
- After performing, players go to the end of opposite group.
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 Hook
passes aren't as common today as they once were; however, there are still
occasions where it is the logical pass to use. Therefore, teaching players the
technique should not be neglected.
Course of action:
- Divide the squad into two groups.
- Place one group at the right forward position and the other at the right
guard position.
- The first player in the guard line passes the ball to the first player in
the forward line and cuts to the outside.
- The first player in the forward line hands off to the cutting player and
cuts for the basket across the keyhole looking over his right shoulder for a
hook pass delivered from the guard who dribble-drives toward the basket.
- The forward should be able to go up for a left-handed lay-up as soon as
receiving the pass, without a need to dribble.
- Vary the drill by running it on the left side of the floor, and/or by
letting the forward fake a pass to the cutting guard and swing a left hand
hook to the guard as he approaches the basket.
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 Here
is a drill using two balls with continuous hooking, first with one hand and then
with the other.
Course of action:
- Two groups, facing the same direction, line up about six feet apart.
- The first player in the line on the right dribbles out ten feet and
delivers a basketball hook pass with his right hand to the second player in
the line to the left.
- At the same time, the first player in the left line dribbles out and
delivers a basketball hook pass with his left hand to the second player in the
line on the right.
- The passers exchange lines.
- This same drill may be used to practice other type of basketball passes.
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