Wednesday 19 October 2011

Basketball Passing



Basketball Passing 


1. PASSING

A "nice pass" praise is probably one of the best compliments a player receives on the basketball court. A lot of basketball players try to get fancy with their passing, and more often than not, it confuses their teammates as well as the defense. The key to perfect passing is, in fact, simplicity. A good pass is smoothly handled and not forced. It is usually 12 - 18 feet (the longer ones can be easily intercepted) and is made with control.

Tips on Ball Passing

  1. Chest Pass - The chest pass is the most efficient way to throw the ball. Use it in order to get the ball to a teammate quickly when there is no defender in the way. You should step forward when you do this pass because you lose power by not stepping. However, passing without stepping is quicker. So just use your judgment to decide in each situation whether quickness or accuracy is more important.
  2. Bounce Pass - If you are in trouble with the ball and need to slip a pass by the defender to a teammate who can score, the bounce pass is the best option. It forces the defender to unnaturally tilt his torso in order to reach the ball as it is whizzing by, which makes it harder to intercept. It may look pretty cool to throw a bounce pass with fancy spinning, but that often brings a turnover instead of a good play. So unless you are Kobe Bryant or Chauncey Billups, try to resist the temptation and keep it simple.
  3. Overhead Pass - The overhead pass is the best way to pass the ball when the defense is in your face. You should also use it to feed the inside players and to get off an outlet pass after a rebound. Just remember that the pass is meant to be caught at chin level or above, so the receiver won't have to decide whether he should catch the ball with thumbs up or thumbs down. If the ball bears in on the receiver's waist, it basically handcuffs him.

Chris Paul's Crazy Bounce Pass


4. Side Pass - When there's a defender in front of you and another one bustling toward you, it is very difficult to throw a two-hand pass. What you need to do is getting around your defender and dumping the ball quickly with one hand. Decide whether you are throwing above or below your defender's arm, and fake the other way. When his arm goes down, pass the ball over it. When his arm goes up, slips a one-hand bounce pass under it.
5. Behind-The-Back Pass - Although the key to perfect passing is simplicity, there are rare times when a behind-the-back pass could be effective. Coaches usually approve it in two-on-one, fast-break situations. So try to do it right or don't do it at all. Keep in mind that when you do this pass, the power should come from your arm and fingers, NOT from turning your shoulders If you turn your shoulder, you basically give away that you're throwing a behind-the-back pass, and by the time the ball gets around your body, the defense would have cut in front of your target.

Basic Lay-ups

Basic Lay-ups




Lay-ups are the backbone of any team offense and every player's offensive repertoire. Without the threat of a lay-up, all other shots would become next to impossible. Just think, how you would defend if you knew that lay-ups were not allowed? What offense, what screens would be set, what dribble or one – on – one move would you make if you could not take a lay-up?

Interesting food for thought. Yet the lay-up is the shot we spend the least time on and the most technically ignored shot of all.

How do we make lay-ups?


I ask you, what part of the body allows you to make lay-ups? Your hand? Your arms? Your legs?

I think you make lay-ups with your eyes. With all that goes on around you during a basketball game, that activity level increases ten-fold as you get closer to the basket. There are more players, more defenders, more hands, and more contact the closer you get to the basket. The demand for your concentration goes up accordingly. No matter what else you do, you must keep your eyes on the prize. Block out all that is going on around you, and keep your eyes on the target until the ball comes through the net.

What is a lay-up


A lay-up is just what it sounds like: a shot where we lay the ball up on the backboard or over the rim and into the basket. It can be done forwards, backwards, or sideways. It is a lay-up just the same.

Teaching lay-ups


I am a big believer in visualization and pantomime when teaching new skills. They are especially effective techniques when teaching lay-ups.



When teaching new concepts of leg drive and follow-through while handling a basketball and trying to throw it through the basket, consider that it might be very difficult for young players to keep track of all the factors involved. You would be well advised to simplify the process by eliminating the ball at first.



Try these techniques without a ball.

  • Line up your team in rows.
  • On the command, ”Set”, have them stand with their left leg forward and their right leg extended straight back. Knees should be bent and hips low in an athletic posture.
  • On the command, “Drive,” have them step forward with their right leg, without taking their left foot off the floor, and drive their right knee in the air. The visualization phrase that I use is "Try to hit your nose with your knee."
  • After driving the right knee, talk a little about the feeling they get when they drive the knee. They should feel their whole body lifting.
  • Next, on the command “Drive,” combine the knee lift with a jump off the left leg. It might take a few reps to co-ordinate the knee drive with the jump but it will come quickly.
  • Next, give the command "Drive," and, at the appropriate time, add the command, "Shoot." Players then go into a right- handed shooting motion. Timing is important, as you want to shoot while the player is in the air. Emphasize holding the follow-through on the shot until after they return to the floor.
  • Next, in cadence, call, "Set, Drive, Shoot." Explain that this, when done with proper timing, is the action involved in taking a lay-up.
  • When you feel that the shooters are comfortable with the right hand, alter their stance and have them practice a left- handed lay-up motion.



Once you are comfortable with that action, go to the next step



  • On the command, ”Set”, have them stand with their left leg forward and their right leg extended straight back. Knees should be bent and hips low in an athletic posture.
  • On the command, “Step Back,” players step back with their left foot so it is extended straight back and the right foot is forward.
  • On the command, “Step,” players step forward with their left leg. Follow the, “Step,” command with, “Drive,” and, “Shot,” in cadence, to create the rhythm for taking an active lay-up.
  • When you feel it is proper, switch to a left handed lay-up.



Once you are comfortable with that action, go to the next step



  • On the command, ”Set”, have them stand with their left leg forward and their right leg extended straight back. Knees should be bent and hips low in an athletic posture.
  • On the command, “Step Back,” players step back with their left foot so it is extended straight back and the right foot is forward.
  • On the command, “Step Back,” players step back with their right foot so it is extended straight back and the left foot is forward.
  • On the command, “Step,” step forward with the right foot.
  • Add the command, "Dribble." Players will then imagine they are taking one dribble with their right hand. (This is a great opportunity to teach them about the rules concerning when the ball must be dribbled in order to move their pivot foot without traveling.)
  • Follow the "Dribble" command with, "Step," "Drive," "Shoot."
  • When said in the proper cadence and with proper timing; "Set," "Step Back," "Step Back," "Step," "Dribble," "Step," "Drive," "Shoot," will give players a basic feeling and rhythm for taking lay-ups, with and without a dribble

After they are good at taking lay-ups without a basket, move to a basket; teach them the proper angle to approach the basket; and go through the same sequences shooting right-handed and left-handed.

Once they are comfortable at the basket, give the players a ball and go through the same sequences.



Teaching Points


  • You make lay-ups with your eyes.
  • Shooting is about rhythm
  • The power to get the ball to the basket comes from your drive leg. Try to touch you nose with our knee.
  • Early in the process, success has to be defined in terms of correct form rather than made baskets.
  • Focus on the process, not the results. Younger kids may have problems with balance and strength. Don’t sacrifice form for made baskets

Tips on perfecting a basketball lay-up
Doing a basketball lay-up slowly with no defenders is very easy but not so when you are guarded.  Here are the tips for scoring in a lay-up under pressure


  1. Take BIG strides when you are carrying the ball for a lay up
  2. Glance at the hoop while you are carrying the ball towards the basketball hoop
  3. If you are driving full speed, convert the horizontal momentum to vertical by jumping higher before release
  4. Sometimes, changing your pace when taking the steps or power-hopping works well
  5. Place the upper arm of your non-dominant hand on the side to resist defender's pressure
  6. When you are about to get up in the air, turn your hip and upper back towards the defender to push yourself away
  7. Add a slight spin onto the ball to further reduce the horizontal force it carries




Basketball moves derived from the lay-up
Finger Roll: The most widely used lay-up method in basketball nowadays
Three Pointers: The threes seem to be a blessing when it comes to outscoring the opposition, but...
Reverse lay-up: two defenders jumps at you on the near side, go to the other side
Tear Drop: Oh yeah, make the hoop cry and make your defenders cry
Up-and-Under: The move spells out, "I refuse to commit myself."

Shooting

Basic basketball shot - Set shot


The basic basketball shot is simple and beautiful but by no means simplistic. As pointed out previously, everyone shoots the basketball differently.  Yet, there is a general procedure that all good basketball shooters more or less follow.



  1. Half-bent your knees before shooting a basketball for more potential power
  2. Your dominant hand should have its fingers spread out
  3. Only the fingertips should be gripping onto the ball
  4. Your other hand should support the ball on the side
  5. The ball should be brought above the head in one motion
  6. At this point, the angles at your armpit, elbow, and wrist is  at 90 degrees
  7. While extending your knees, extend your forearm and snap your wrist
  8. Make sure you follow through with your wrist movement.If it feels natural to jump upon release,do so.

In sum, you are shooting a basketball with the kinetic energy transferred from your legs to your hands.  The most optimal case is that the snap of wrist only directs the basketball and adds backspin to it.  You should also shoot the basketball as naturally as possible.  In the event that the power from your legs is not enough to shoot the basketball, (for example, you are doing a fade-away and a portion of the leg power is directed towards the back.) you are forced to use your wrist in a controlled manner.  In particular, do not forcefully use your wrist or jerk your wrist for extra power.  This will greatly reduce your shot accuracy. 




Tips on perfecting the basketball Set Shot

I interviewed seasoned basketball team players and coaches to reflect on their basketball shooting experience and came up with the following tips on shooting a basketball

  1. Always keep track of the distance between you and the hoop
  2. Tuck your elbows inward towards each other when shooting
  3. Shoot the basketball at an arc.  It increases accuracy
  4. Aim at the part inside the rim farthest from your standpoint
  5. Use screens and offensive-plays to get open
  6. Square up your shooting hand with the basketball hoop
  7. grip the basketball tightly with only your thumb and little finger
  8. Aim with your index finger or middle finger only
  9. Never hesitate due to the fear of a block shot.



Basketball moves derived from the basketball set shot
Jump Shot: when given space, this is the most popular way to shoot the basketball in this era.
Fade Away: Michael Jordan own this basketball move, know it even if you don't know how to do it.
Leaner: A dominant basketball move when you have the height advantage over your opponent.
Bank Shot: Duncan's signature basketball move, efficient, effective and easy to execute.
Free Throw: Theoretically the easiest shot.

Basketball Fundamentals

The fundamentals of basketball are the MOST important thing to master because they will make you and your team better no matter what age level or team you play for.

There's a good reason that the best college and NBA basketball coaches in the world spend the majority of their practices on fundamentals.

A basketball player will be faced with a variety of different situations:

  • You'll see different opponents that use different tactics (pressing, fast breaks, switching defenses, banging in the post, etc)
  • You'll face opponents that have heavily scouted you and know your offense inside and out. And you'll also face other opponents that have never seen you before.
  • You'll see a different levels of competition from youth recreation leagues and possibly all the way to professional basketball.
  • You'll play for different coaches that have very different coaching styles. Your middle school coach might like to press -- and your high school coach might have a completely different style and like to slow things down. You could literally see a dozen different offenses through your basketball career!
There are SO many different situations that coaches and players face. And the only thing that works against ALL situations, no matter what age level or team are the FUNDAMENTALS!


It's those little things that make the best teams and players. If you can master those little fundamentals, they work no matter what!


For example, by working on the fundamentals of shooting, you will get better no matter what team you play for. The fundamentals of shooting include proper foot alignment, leg bend, hand position, arm angle, follow through, and so on. Those are some of the little things that make a difference. Learn them!

The same goes for lays ups, foot work, post play, passing, jab steps, jump stops, pivoting, blocking out, and so on.

That's why we emphasize the fundamentals and highly recommend that ALL coaches and players learn and practice them!

If you're a coach, we suggest that you spend at least half of your practice time working on fundamentals. In the long run and towards the end of the season, that's the best thing for your players.

In fact, most of the teams that win championships work on the fundamentals from day one, instead of gimmicks and things that work against mediocre teams. So when they get to those final rounds, they are effective no matter how much the other team has scouted them.




Basketball Drills for Players

Do you want to take your game to the next level?


Check out these basketball drills given to us directly by NBA Player Development Coach Don Kelbick. If these are the basketball drills that the PRO guys do, don't you think this is where you want to be? I'd hope you would say, "Yes!"

We create this page for you, THE PLAYER, so you don't have to search and sort through all of the drills to find what basketball drills will work for you. Most of the basketball drills can be done by yourself, but there are a few that you need a partner to perform the basketball drill.



Running Basketball Drills the Right Way

The first thing to realize is that the great players focus on the little things.

Too many players make the mistake of starting the basketball drill and just running through the motions.

To get better, each basketball drill needs to have a purpose and you really need to focus and work hard to improve.

Practicing drills is when players get better. In fact, the most important aspect of getting better as a player, is how you run those basketball drills.

In order to get better, you need to practice over and over to develop good habits and muscle memory. If you don't practice the RIGHT way, you're just developing bad habits and training yourself to play the wrong way.



So I urge you to take the time to learn the detailed fundamentals of basketball. And then run the drills to train your body to perform those fundamentals without even thinking about it.


You'll notice that we tried to categorize the drills for you, but many of the drills here are mullti-purpose which means they work on they work on other skills as well. For example, Chair Curl which is located in the ball handling section works on shooting, ball handling, and footwork.