How to Catch and Pass a Basketball

Solid basketball fundamentals are the needed building blocks to create a better player and a better basketball team. While dribbling the basketball and shooting receive a significant amount of attention, the ability to catch and pass a basketball appropriately are very important aspects of the game.

Things You'll Need

  • Teammates
  • Basketball
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Instructions

  1. Catch a Basketball

    • 1

      Move your position until you are free from a defender and make a good target for the passer.

    • 2

      Get ready to catch by raising your hands in front of your body at chest high with fingers spread open and pointing up. Your thumbs should be an inch or two apart.

    • 3

      Move toward the ball if it is not thrown perfectly toward you or is deflected by another player.

    • 4

      Watch the ball from the time it leaves the passer's hands until you catch the ball.

    • 5

      Cushion the ball by bending your elbows slightly as the ball hits your fingers to absorb the pass.

    Learn the Passing Lanes

    • 6

      Lob the ball over the opponent's head.

    • 7

      Zip the ball past the left or right side of the defender's head.

    • 8

      Throw the ball outside of the right or left leg of the defender.

    • 9

      Bounce the ball in between the defender's legs. This pass is risky, but does work especially when guarded by tall players.

    Pass the Basketball Effectively

    • 10

      Hold the ball chest-high with your fingers spread around the ball and elbows in so the ball is near your chest.

    • 11

      Aim for your teammate's chest.

    • 12

      Step toward your target and push the ball away from your body and toward your target, releasing the ball with a snap of your wrists when your arms are fully extended.

    • 13

      Bounce the ball once on the pass to get the ball around a defender. Use the same technique with two hands but intentionally bounce the ball toward your open teammate.

    • 14

      Lead a running teammate by anticipating where your teammate will be when she receives the basketball. Throw the ball to the target, not directly at your teammate.

    • 15

      Fake out a defender by pretending to pass the ball one direction and then quickly passing the ball to the intended teammate. Sometimes, you must move the defender out of the way to make a good pass, so practice faking passes.