Module 3 · Passing & Playmaking

Move the Ball, See the Floor, Create Easy Buckets

Passing is how you make teammates better and turn good shots into great ones. This module covers the core passing fundamentals every player needs: stance, grip, target, timing, and how to choose the right pass vs pressure. Then we layer in advanced passes, drive-and-kick reads, and simple actions that show up every game.

Use this page to script practice segments (10–15 minutes) on passing and decision-making. Keep cues simple, demand accuracy, and add live defenders as soon as mechanics are consistent.

Passing Fundamentals Chest & Bounce Overhead, Skip, Post Entry Pocket / One-Hand Reads vs Pressure Drive & Kick · One More Transition & Games Drills & Film Library

Section 1 – Passing Fundamentals Section 2 – Chest & Bounce Passes Section 3 – Overhead, Skip & Post Entry Section 4 – Pocket & One-Hand Passes Section 5 – Reads vs Pressure & Traps Section 6 – Drive & Kick / “One More” Section 7 – Transition & Advance Passing Section 8 – Drills & Additional Film

Section 1

Passing Fundamentals – Grip, Target & Footwork

Before we worry about reads, we need clean, repeatable mechanics so the ball arrives on time and on target.

Body Position & Vision

Feet balanced: athletic stance, hips low, chest up, eyes up.
See 2–3 defenders, not just your own – scan before you pick up the dribble.
Ball kept in your frame – no wild swings that invite deflections.
Pivot on balance, not on your heels – a strong base lets you change angles.

Hand Placement & Release

Thumbs behind the ball, fingers spread – hands on the seams when possible.
Snap wrists and thumbs down on the follow-through for clean spin.
Every pass has a target: outside shoulder, shooting pocket, or lead hand.
Finish in balance so you’re ready for the next action (cut, relocate, or defend).

Footwork & Timing

Step to your target on every pass – no flat-footed throws.
Pass on the move: catch, scan, and pass in 1–2 beats.
Use jump stops to land on balance before hitting big targets like posts or cutters.
Deliver the ball early so teammates can catch on the move.

Film – Passing Fundamentals

Section 2

Chest & Bounce Passes – Core Menu

These are the passes players will throw most. Train them until they are automatic under pressure.

Chest Pass – Mechanics & When to Use

Square shoulders and hips to the target.
Step with lead foot toward the receiver.
Extend arms and snap wrists – thumbs finish pointed down.
Ball should travel on a straight line into the shooting pocket.
Use to hit open shooters on the perimeter with no hands in the lane.
Perfect for quick reversals vs zone and swing passes around the perimeter.

Film – Chest Pass

Bounce Pass – Mechanics & When to Use

Ball should hit the floor about 2/3 of the way to the receiver.
Stay low and step through – no lazy, upright bounces.
Snap wrists down through the bounce to keep the ball tight to the floor.
Aim for the receiver’s mid-section on the catch.
Use when defenders play high hands or front the post.
Great for backdoor cuts and post entries in traffic.

Film – Bounce Pass

Section 3

Overhead, Skip & Post Entry

Add high-value passes that punish help defense and safely get the ball over or inside pressure.

Overhead Pass

Wide base, ball above the forehead – not behind the head.
Step to your target and throw with a strong, straight-line release.
Use vs traps, fronts, or when smaller guards must pass over size.
Never float soft lobs across the top of the defense.

Film – Overhead Passing

Skip Pass

Read weak-side defender’s feet – if both are in the paint, skip may be open.
Throw from a solid base, not off your back foot.
Ball should travel on a firm arc that reaches the shooter in rhythm.
Never throw a skip blindly; see the catch before you release.

Film – Skip Passes

Post Entry Pass

Feed the hand your post presents – high hand, low target, or seal.
Change your angle with one or two dribbles before throwing.
Use bounce or overhead depending on defender position.
Throw early, before the help has fully committed.

Film – Post Entry

Section 4

Pocket, Push & One-Hand Passes

Push Pass vs Closeouts

Ball in one hand off the dribble, shoulders square to the target.
Use vs hard closeouts when there’s no time for a two-hand pass.
Snap from shoulder level, not from below the waist.
Keep passes low and tight to avoid long flight times.

Film – Push Pass

Pocket Pass out of Ball Screens

Read the screener’s defender – if they step up, pocket may be open.
Dribble tight off the screen to shrink the gap.
Snap a low bounce between defenders into the roller’s hands.
Expect weak-side help and be ready for the next pass.

Film – Pocket Pass

Hook & Wrap Passes

Keep your body between the defender and the ball.
Use a one-hand hook or wrap when you can’t see a straight-line pass.
Ball must travel on a strong line – no looping floaters.
Only use after you’ve already created an advantage.

Film – Hook & Wrap

Section 5

Reads vs Pressure & Traps

Handling Ball Pressure

Use retreat dribbles to create space and keep your dribble alive.
Protect the ball with your body – hips between defender and ball.
Look over pressure, not at the ball.
Know where your outlets are before the pressure comes.

Film – Versus Pressure

Beating Traps & Double Teams

See the trap early and pass before the second defender fully arrives.
Attack with one hard dribble to engage two defenders, then pass out.
Hit the most open player, not just the closest.
After the pass, sprint to space to be a second option.

Film – Traps & Doubles

Closeout Reads – Shot, Drive or Pass

Long closeout: attack the gap or swing one more.
Short, choppy closeout: be ready to shoot or shot-fake into a one-dribble pass.
No closeout: shoot or immediately shift the defense with a drive-and-kick.
Decide in 1–2 seconds – no ball-stopping.

Film – Closeout Reads

Section 6

Drive & Kick / “One More” Passing

Drive & Kick Principles

Attack the paint with the intent to score first, pass second.
Land on two feet in the paint to control balance and vision.
Read help: kick to the teammate whose defender helped the most.
Don’t over-dribble – one or two hard dribbles is usually enough.

Film – Drive & Kick

“One More” Passing

On catches, scan quickly for a more open teammate.
Throw one-more passes on the catch – no wasted jab steps.
Teach wings and corners to be ready to shoot or move it immediately.
Reward extra passes in games and practice scoring charts.

Film – One-More Passes

Drive & Kick Drills

Drive-and-kick shooting: guard drives, kicks, and relocates.
Paint touch games: offense must get a paint touch before any three.
3-man “one more” drill: drive, kick, extra pass for a shot.

Film – Drills & Concepts

Section 7

Transition, Advance Passing & Games

Advance Passing in Transition

Eyes up immediately on the outlet or rebound.
Throw ahead to wings running wide lanes.
Use long, on-time passes to create layups instead of dribbling into traffic.
Reward players who sprint the floor by throwing them the ball.

Film – Advance Pass

Outlet & Secondary Break

Designate outlet spots on the floor – no random drifting.
Bigs chin the ball, pivot, and snap outlets to guards in space.
Flow from primary break into simple secondary actions (drag screen, wide pin-down, etc.).
Emphasize quick decisions: rim, paint touch, or kick-out.

Film – Outlet & Secondary

Passing Games & Constraints

3-on-3 or 4-on-4 where every score must come off an assist.
Touch limit games (max 2–3 dribbles per possession).
One-more bonus: extra point for baskets that come off a “one more” pass.
Film huddles and review good vs bad possessions with the team.

Film – Games & Constraints

Section 8

Drills & Additional Film Library

Use this section to plug in go-to drills and film segments when you want a quick passing block in practice.

Core Passing Drills

Partner passing series: chest, bounce, overhead, skip.
3-man weave variations with bounce and chest emphasis.
Drive-kick-one-more shooting (guards and wings rotate spots).
Post feed & relocate: guards feed the post then cut or space.
Ball pressure drill: 1-on-1 with dribbler limited to 2–3 dribbles before passing.

Film – Drill Ideas

Additional Film – Great Passing Teams

Clip examples of 5-man ball movement and “good to great” shots.
Show possessions where the first decent shot is passed up for a better one.
Contrast with clips of over-dribbling and forced shots.
Ask players to call out: paint touch, kick, one more on the film.