How to Practice Passing Against Pressure Defense in Basketball

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Players must be able to effectively pass the basketball while facing defensive pressure. This article focuses on a fast-moving drill that provides opportunities to pass the ball against defensive pressure.

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Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

At least three players
Basketball

Step1

Put two players 15 feet apart and facing each other. One player has the ball. The third player stands behind the player with the ball.

Step2

The player with the ball throws a good chest pass to the player across and closes out on that player in a strong defensive position. That defensive player yells "Ball, Ball, Ball" continuously to increase the pressure level.

Step3

The third player steps up to be the recipient of the return pass.

Step4

The player with the ball tries to make a pass while the defender provides a lot of pressure, making it difficult to make the pass. The defender should be up close to the pass waving his/her arms and also reaching for the ball to tie it up.

Step5

The passer should be in a strong Triple Threat position. Triple Threat position is a position that allows the ballhandler to shoot, dribble or pass.

Step6

The passer should rotate the ball and use his/her pivot foot to keep the ball away from the defender.

Step7

When ready to make the pass, the passer should fake a pass to get the defender off balance and leaning in a certain direction. This is known as "Fake it to Make It."

Step8

After the fake pass has occured, the passer should have an open passing lane to the next receiver. The pass should be made with good velocity so it reaches the receiver quickly (see eHow Passing articles for guidance).

Step9

Once the pass is made, that passer closes out of the pass recipient and the process starts over again.

Tips & Warnings

An added dimension to this drill is to allow the passer to take two dribbles to clear a passing lane.
This drill also provides skill development for the defense in working on closing out on the passer (short, choppy steps) and applying ball pressure.