Basketball Passing Drills

Leading the Receiver Pass Drill

This drill helps teach players to deliver lead-passes to teammates who are breaking ahead of the passer. 

Course of action:· 

Four lines are needed, one in each corner of the half-court.· 

• The first player in line #1 passes the basketball to the first player in line #2 and follows his pass to take a position at the end of that line.
• The receiver in line #2 flips the basketball to the player standing directly behind and breaks at an angle toward line #3.
• The cutting player receives a lead-pass and immediately passes to the first player in line #3.
• This player flips the ball to the second player in line #3, and breaks hard toward line #4.
• The drill continues all around the half-court area.
• After players adapt to this drill, two or three balls can be added to the spirited action.

Push-Passing Line Drill 

This drill allows a great amount of practice passing the basketball done in a short time using two balls.

Course of Action:

• Four lines of players line-up in each corner of the half-court area.
• Lines #4 and #2 are each given a basketball.
• The players with a ball pass to the first player to their right and take a position at the end of that line.
• After awhile, change the drill by having them pass to their left.
• You can also use different types of passes.

Quickness and Competitive Passing Drill

Players enjoy this drill which is an excellent drill for teaching speed passing.

Course of Action:

• Divide the squad into two teams.
• Place them in a circle with every other player being on the same team.
• Put a member of each team, with a basketball, in the center of the circle.
• Upon a signal the players in the middle begin passing to each of their teammates. The ball moves, clockwise, around the circle.
• The middle players start the action on opposite sides of the circle.
• The objective is to complete the circle of passes before the opposing team

Follow Your Pass Drill

This drill has the objective of getting players in the habit of moving after releasing the ball.

Course of Action:

• Divide the squad into four groups.
• Each line takes a position at each corner of the half-court area.
• The first player in line #1 passes the basketball to #2, who passes to #3, who passes to #4.
• Each player follows his pass, taking a position at the end of that line.

Outer and Inner Circle Drill

This short pass drill teaches players to soften their passes whenever the receiver is in close proximity.

Course of Action:

• Place a circle of five players inside a circle of seven players.
• Two basketballs are used. Start one on each side of the inner ring, passing to the outer ring and receiving a return pass.
• Move balls around the circle in the same direction.
• Vary the distance between circles to practice different types of passes

Quickness and Speed Wall Passing Drill

Really all that is necessary to practice passing is a ball and a wall. The purpose of this drill is to develop competition, quickness, and accuracy.

Course of Action:

• Station several lines of players facing a wall, all at the same distance from the wall.
• Each line should have a small circle target marked chest high on the wall.
• Upon a signal, each player attempts to make as many passes as possible strike the area with the circle during a timed 30 second period.

Half-Court Three-on-Three Passing Game

Dribbling is not allowed in this drill. This causes more passes to be made, thereby, affording the players more time to develop good ball handling skills.

Course of Action

• Divide the squad into groups of three.
• Six players start a three-on-three game at each end of the court. No dribbling is allowed. Only movement, passing, and shooting is allowed.
• Those members of the squad, not active, watch and take on the winners.
• A particular score ends the game.
• You can vary this drill, for example, allow only left handed passes and only left handed lay-ups can be made.

[PREVIOUS] [1] [2] [3] [NEXT]