Using a bounce-pass, hook-pass, and baseball-pass in basketball.
In close quarters, and especially when attacking a zone defense, it is wise to frequently use bounce passes. The bounce pass is similar to the chest pass except, instead of firing the ball through the air, aim it close to the receiver's feet. The reverse spin will make the ball come up sharply and true. (Remember: bounce the ball close to the receiver's feet). The bounce pass is made with either one or two hands, but more often the two hands are used. The ball is usually released with a push; occasionally it is thrown. The bounce pass has practical uses in any style of basketball team play. The following situations show the use of the bounce pass: 1. When closely guarded from behind, and it is impossible to raise the ball. 2. When out of bounds, and an opponent is standing close in front of the thrower. After a feint to pass high, the ball can be bounced into the court. It is next to impossible to prevent this pass. 3. It is an effective play when there is a mix-up and scramble for the ball. A player may slap the loose ball so that it will bounce through an opening to a teammate, whereas if he tried to pick it up, he would be covered simultaneously. 4. When a pass is to be made ahead of a teammate who is coming down the floor closely followed from behind. The pursuing guard finds difficulty in reaching off balance to break up such a low pass. 5. Where a player wishes to pass to a teammate, but two or more opponents are between. It is useless to make a high pass over the heads of such opponents, as the ball would have to be lobbed, giving time for the receiver to be covered. The bounce pass comes in as the means to outwit the opposition. The ball can be bounced close to the feet of the intervening opponents, so that it will pass by them before they can reach over to block it. The pass should be thrown with speed, and should be low and skimming, so that it will lose little of its momentum. The bounce pass is always useful as a play to get the ball under an opponent after a threat has been made to pass high. The angle at which the ball should be bounced varies according to the distance of the pass. On short passes the ball should descend at an angle of approximately 45 degrees to the floor and rise at the same angle so that the path of the ball in a complete pass makes a right angle, 90 degrees. The ball should reach the teammate about waist high. On longer passes, the angle made by the ball in its course is larger. The bounce is most effective on the shorter passes.
The one-hand-from-behind-the-ear baseball pass is usually used in one specific situation; when you want to get the ball from one end of the court to the other and you have a clear path to the receiver. It is a good pass to use in this situation, but not otherwise. The baseball pass has one major drawback—you can't throw it without letting everyone in the gym know what you're going to do. This is dangerous unless you're sure you can avoid interception.
Like the baseball pass, the hook pass comes in handy in certain situations; one being when you're guarded from the rear and you want to get the ball to a teammate behind your defensive man. In this spot, bend forward from the waist, keeping the ball well away from the reach of the man guarding you. Swing the ball to left or right to get the guard's hand down. Turn quickly so that you are looking right into his face, nose to nose. Hook the ball directly over your own head, using either hand. The ball is pocketed between the hand and wrist, with the fingers spread. The right hand is favored. The pass follows by sweeping the arm over the head with the elbow bent slightly. The player should jump in the air, making a pivot so as to land facing the receiver. The ball is released while in the air by snapping the wrist and fingers. The ball describes a downward course. This pass is difficult to intercept. It is a speedy pass. The pass is made either short or long. On the long-hook pass, precaution should be noted; that is, the ball should not be released with a side motion, as this will cause the ball to curve. Many players get the habit of bouncing the ball once before making this pass, with the idea of locating the teammate before starting the hook.
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