Mastering Passing Techniques

This lesson plan focuses on teaching youth basketball players the fundamental techniques of various passing styles, including chest pass, bounce pass, and overhead pass, through engaging drills that enhance accuracy and timing.
By mark
Part of SUSD 2025 - Youth Basketball
Public

Lesson Steps

Overview
1
Introduction to Passing Techniques
10 minutes
2
Chest Pass Drill
15 minutes
3
Bounce Pass Drill
15 minutes
4
Overhead Pass Drill
15 minutes
5
Passing Accuracy Challenge
10 minutes
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Lesson Overview

In this engaging lesson, students embark on a journey to master the art of passing in basketball. The session focuses on developing proficiency in different types of passes, including the chest pass, bounce pass, and overhead pass. By familiarizing students with these fundamental techniques, the lesson aims to enhance their overall gameplay and teamwork on the court.

The primary goal is to equip students with the skills necessary to execute precise and timely passes during a game. Through a series of dynamic drills, they will hone their accuracy and learn to adapt their passing style to various game situations. By the end of the lesson, students will gain confidence in their ability to contribute effectively to their team's offensive strategies.

Key Objectives

Key Objectives
  • Introduce students to the fundamental techniques of different basketball passes, including chest pass, bounce pass, and overhead pass.
  • Enhance students' understanding of the importance of accuracy and timing in effective passing.
  • Develop students' motor skills and hand-eye coordination through targeted passing drills.
  • Emphasize safety by teaching proper body positioning and awareness of surroundings during passing exercises.
  • Encourage teamwork and communication by incorporating partner and group passing activities.
  • Prepare students for game situations by integrating passing drills that simulate real-game scenarios.
Equipment Required
  • Basketballs (one per pair of students)
  • Cones or markers for drill setup
  • Whistle for managing drill timing and transitions
  • Stopwatch or timer for structured drill intervals
  • Open space such as a gymnasium or outdoor basketball court
  • Optional: Video equipment for recording and reviewing passing techniques
Step 1 of 5

Introduction to Passing Techniques

10 minutes

Welcome to the session on mastering passing techniques in basketball. Today, we explore three fundamental types of passes: chest pass, bounce pass, and overhead pass. Each has unique elements and is effective in different game situations.

  • Chest Pass: Utilized for quick, direct passes to a teammate. Focus on extending your arms fully and stepping forward to generate power.
  • Bounce Pass: Ideal for navigating around defenders. Aim to bounce the ball about two-thirds of the way to your teammate, ensuring it reaches them at waist level.
  • Overhead Pass: Used for long-distance passes and to clear defenders. Hold the ball above your head and use your core and shoulders to propel it forward with precision.

Understanding when and how to use each pass is crucial. Analyze the game situation to choose the most effective passing technique, whether it's maintaining possession, advancing the ball quickly, or avoiding defenders.

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Step 2 of 5

Chest Pass Drill

15 minutes

In this drill, students focus on mastering the chest pass through partner work. Emphasize accuracy and proper form while passing back and forth.

  • Pair up students, ensuring they stand approximately 10 feet apart.
  • Instruct each pair to begin with a stationary chest pass, focusing on extending their arms fully and snapping their wrists for a straight, powerful pass.
  • Encourage students to maintain eye contact with their partner and aim for the chest when passing.
  • After a few successful passes, introduce movement by having one partner take a step to the side or forward/backward after each pass, requiring the passer to adjust their aim accordingly.
  • Rotate partners every few minutes to expose students to different passing styles and challenges.
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Step 3 of 5

Bounce Pass Drill

15 minutes

In this drill, students focus on improving their bounce pass technique by working in pairs. The goal is to enhance timing and control while making accurate bounce passes.

  • Pair up students and have them stand approximately 10 feet apart.
  • Instruct each pair to use proper form: knees slightly bent, dominant foot forward, and hands on the sides of the ball.
  • Have partners pass the ball back and forth, aiming for a bounce that reaches the receiver at waist height.
  • Encourage students to focus on the timing of their passes, ensuring the ball bounces about two-thirds of the way to their partner.
  • Observe and provide feedback on their form and accuracy, correcting any common mistakes.
  • Rotate partners every few minutes to allow students to adjust to different passing styles.
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Step 4 of 5

Overhead Pass Drill

15 minutes

In this activity, students practice the overhead pass, focusing on both form and precision. Divide the class into small groups and follow the steps below:

  • Warm-up: Begin with a brief warm-up, including arm stretches and light jogging, to prepare the body for passing drills.
  • Demonstration: Demonstrate the proper technique for an overhead pass, highlighting arm position, grip, and follow-through.
  • Practice: In small groups, have students line up in two parallel lines facing each other. Each student takes turns making overhead passes to the student directly opposite them.
  • Feedback: Circulate among the groups, providing feedback on technique and encouraging students to adjust their form as needed.
  • Game Simulation: Introduce a mini-game where groups must use overhead passes to move the ball down the court to a designated target or teammate. Emphasize the need for strength and accuracy, especially in simulated defensive scenarios.
  • Reflection: Conclude the drill with a brief discussion on the challenges faced and improvements made during the activity.
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Step 5 of 5

Passing Accuracy Challenge

10 minutes

Engage students in a dynamic passing accuracy challenge designed to test their mastery of the chest pass, bounce pass, and overhead pass. Set up a series of targets at varying distances and angles to simulate real-game scenarios.

  • Divide students into small teams.
  • Assign each team a starting point and sequence for attempting the targets.
  • Instruct students to use all three passing techniques to hit the targets in the specified order.
  • Each successful target hit earns points for the team; keep track of the scores for each team.
  • Encourage students to cheer on their teammates to foster a supportive and motivating environment.
  • Conclude the challenge by recognizing the team with the highest score and discussing the importance of accuracy and speed in passing.
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