- Home
- Basketball drills
- Passing drills
Basketball passing drills
These basketball passing drills teach the chest pass, bounce pass, and overhead pass, then add movement and defenders. Good passing teams share the ball, and it makes practice more fun for everyone. Run one passing drill each practice and use the games to finish.
Passing drills for beginners
For players learning to step into a pass, snap their thumbs down, and catch with two hands.
Partner passing drill
The partner passing drill is one of the first basketball passing drills most coaches teach.
Animated diagram and coaching pointsWall passing
A player stands a few feet from a wall and throws chest passes, bounce passes, and overhead passes against it, catching each one. Put a tape mark on the wall as a target. It is a good drill for players to do at home.
Pass and follow
Two lines face each other about 12 to 15 feet apart. The first player passes to the player across and runs to the back of that line. Call out the type of pass and add a second ball once they are comfortable.
Basketball passing drills for teams
Passing drills with movement that keep the whole team involved. They also work as warmups.
Three man weave drill
The three man weave drill (often called the 3 man weave) is a full-court passing drill.
Animated diagram and coaching pointsStar passing drill
Put players in five lines in a star shape. The ball is passed to the line two spots over, skipping the next line, and the passer follows the pass to the back of that line. Add a second ball when the team can go a minute without a drop.
Four corner passing
Put a line at each corner of the half court. Players pass to the next corner and run to the end of the line they passed to. Change direction and add a second ball to make it harder.
Outlet passing drill
A player tosses the ball off the backboard, rebounds with two hands, and pivots toward the sideline. A guard on the wing calls for the ball and catches the outlet pass, then dribbles up the floor. Go from both sides.
Passing drills with defense
Drills that add a defender so players learn to pass around pressure, use pivots, and fake before they pass.
Monkey in the middle
Two passers stand about 15 feet apart with a defender in the middle. The passers can pivot and fake but cannot throw lobs over the defender's head. If the defender touches the ball, the player who threw it goes to the middle.
No-dribble keep away
Play 3-on-3 or 4-on-4 in the half court with no dribbling allowed. The offense scores a point for a set number of passes in a row, usually five. Players have to cut and get open for the ball to move.
3 on 2 2 on 1 drill
The 3 on 2 2 on 1 drill is a continuous full-court fast break drill.
Animated diagram and coaching pointsHow to run passing drills at practice
Pay attention to the catch as much as the pass. Many turnovers in youth games come from players who catch with one hand or stand still and wait for the ball. Ask receivers to show a target with two hands and step toward the pass.
Keep lines short and use more balls. Pairs passing at every spot on the floor gets more reps than one long line. Once players are comfortable, add a second ball to star passing or four corner passing so they have to stay alert.
Add defense as soon as players can make a basic chest pass and bounce pass. Monkey in the middle and no-dribble keep away teach pivoting and faking, which is most of what makes passing work in a game.
Basketball passing drills FAQ
What are the basic passes in basketball?
The chest pass, the bounce pass, and the overhead pass are the three to teach first. Later, players can learn the baseball pass for long outlets and one-handed push passes off the dribble.
What are good passing drills for beginners?
Partner passing, wall passing, and pass and follow are good starting points. Each one gives players a lot of reps with the basic passes and has them catch with two hands every time.
How far should a bounce pass hit the floor?
A common teaching point is about two-thirds of the way to the receiver, so the ball comes up around the receiver's waist. Adjust it based on how far apart players are.
How do you get kids to pass more in games?
Play no-dribble keep away or give points for passes in practice scrimmages. Praise good passes out loud so players see that the pass matters as much as the basket.
Draw your own drills
Put players on the court, draw the drill step by step, and send it to your team or assistant coaches before practice.