This weeks Topic: PASSING
3 Critial Keys to the Passing
Game
by Andy Louder
When it comes to passing, most players and young coaches flat out don't give it
the time and attention it deserves. The reason it doesn't get much attention is
because of the fact that it's such a simple facet of the game. It's pretty
simple to define what a pass is and it's fairly easy to learn the proper passing
fundamentals.
What players and coaches need to realize is that there is so much more to
passing than just getting the ball to a teammate. The timing, speed and
execution of passes can literally make or break an offense. It can mean the
difference of a team looking like a well-oiled, scoring machine or a sloppy,
undisciplined mess.
It's important to note that I'm not talking about the obvious. It's easy to
understand that if you make horrible passes the offense will sputter and look
awful. That's a given. What I'm talking about are subtle things that pertain to
passing that 90% of the time will go completely unnoticed to the untrained eye.
There are games I will watch and be completely disgusted with how my team is
passing and when I verbalize it to the average person, they have no idea why I'm
so upset.
A bad pass doesn't always result in a turnover. A bad pass doesn't always get
deflected. A bad pass will however, always lessen the chance that you will get
an open shot and score a basket.
There are 3 specific things that need to be stressed very hard in order for you
to really be effective in the passing game. These things should be worked on and
stressed in practice CONSTANTLY. Teams that understand and then execute well in
these 3 areas, usually have smooth, potent offenses.
Speed / Velocity
There's an appropriate time, place and speed for each pass thrown. Players need
to be aware of when to use a soft pass, when to use a crisp pass and when to
really put zip on the ball. When you are getting the ball into a post player
down low a soft lob pass is often necessary. When a shooter is coming off of a
screen they need a good crisp pass that's not too soft or too hard in order to
get a shot off in rhythm. When the ball is passed around the perimeter it needs
to have a lot of zip on it and thrown with authority. If it's thrown too soft
around the perimeter the defense can easily shift with the pass and it becomes
hard to create an open shot. Teach your players the appropriate times and places
for each pass. It may sound like common sense but many young players throw every
one of their passes at the same speed and have no idea what the negative
consequences are.
Timing
The whole objective on offense is to get an open shot. The amount of time a
player is left open is often very minimal. If a pass is thrown to the perfect
spot, at the perfect speed, 1 second too late or 1 second too early, the open
shot will likely either not be there or will be much more difficult than it
would have been if the pass were on time. Most players just memorize where they
are supposed to throw the passes in their offensive system. They also need to be
reminded everyday how important it is to make their passes in rhythm. Teach them
when each pass should be thrown and why.
Location
Most people think that if the player they are passing to catches their pass that
it's an acceptable pass. This is very far from the truth and it needs to be
stressed every practice. Think about a player coming up the key and then getting
a screen set for him somewhere above the free throw line. Another player has the
ball on the wing and sees this player pop out from the screen wide open for a
jumper. He makes a bounce pass but the pass is thrown a few inches to the left
of him. He will be able to catch the pass very easily but after he gathers
himself and turns his feet, he's squaring up for a jumper that is just barely
inside the three point line - not to mention he's not in rhythm anymore.
Whereas, if the pass where thrown a few inches to the right of his body he could
square up in rhythm and have a nice jumper attempt at the corner of the free
throw line. A much easier shot attempt than the former. Can you see how
important location is? Have you ever seen a team have a horrible shooting night?
Of course you have. Well, often times it's all due to sloppy passes like this
that go on all night that are just a few inches off. Not off nearly enough for
the average person to even notice. Coaches need to keep a watchful eye on the
precision of their player's passes. Stress that they need to be in a good
location so that when they are caught their teammates can immediately do what
they want with the ball - all in rhythm.