Introduction
When a player first gets possession of the ball, he/she is in triple threat. It is called triple threat because a player has three (3) options he/she can choose that can be threatening to opposing team. A player can:
In this chapter, we will learn about passing in basketball, its rules, and basic strategies.
Passing The Ball
Passing is a two-step process and requires a minimum of two (2) players on the same team to be an effective way of moving the ball in basketball.
In a pass, the first step requires a player with possession of the ball will throw the ball to a teammate.
The second step of passing the ball in basketball requires a teammate to catch the ball.
Rules Of Passing
The rules of passing in basketball are as follows...
A player CAN:
- pass from anywhere on the court as long as he/she stays inbounds
- throw the ball as hard as he/she wants
- use one (1) or two (2) hands to pass
- pass overhand or underhand
A player CAN NOT:
A Player MUST:
PRO TIP: A player CAN NOT pass the ball to another player who is in the back court once the ball has crossed the midcourt line into the front court. This is called a back court violation and is a turnover resulting in the other team getting the ball.
Goals Of Passing
So why is passing an effective means of ball movement in basketball? Here are the reasons why a team should pass the ball frequently:
- to create openings for players to take shots
- to maintain control of the ball
- to use time on the game clock
PRO TIP: In addition, passing is the fastest and most effective way to move the ball on the court.
Passing Strategies
Passing helps a team find weaknesses in the opposing team's defense. By designing and executing passing plays, a team can find an opening for a shot to be taken. In basketball, it is much easier to make a basket when a defender isn't guarding you.
Coming Up Next
Up next, we will learn about the two (2) remaining options a player has while in triple threat: