What is the air pass in basketball
The air pass consists of action that occurs when an offensive player in possession of the basketball throws any particular pass via the air to a potential offensive receiver without the ball touching the floor.
What is opposite of the air pass
An opposite of the air pass would be the bounce pass because a player would throw the ball to the floor and that result in the ball bouncing at a certain angle before it could be possibly received by a teammate.
What are the primary types of air passes
The primary types of air passes that could be used in various basketball offense situations include the chest pass, overhead pass, and baseball pass among a few others.
Chest pass
The chest pass is comprised of offensive action that happens when a player in current possession of the basketball throws it via the air with two hands from their own chest area towards the chest area of a teammate.
The chest pass could be considered when a teammate is open one pass away, particularly near the perimeter, and at the same time, the on-ball defender is not implementing too much defensive pressure.
For example, let’s say that offensive player A has possession of the ball at the top, particularly behind the three-point arc.
However, the on-ball defender guarding offensive player A is not concerned with a possible three-point shot and therefore, sags off to protect the nail area.
At the same time, let’s say that offensive player B is able to get open near the right side wing, via a basketball screen such as a down screen.
Afterwards, offensive player B could receive the ball from offensive player A via the chest pass and take the open jump shot.
Overhead pass
The overhead pass is comprised of offensive action that occurs when a player in current possession of the basketball places it over their head before throwing it with two hands towards a teammate that is able to receive it.
The overhead pass could be utilized when a player that has the ball is a great distance that is more than one pass away from a potential receiver.
For example, in a half court setting, let’s say that offensive player A, in possession of the ball, is near the right side wing but a potential receiver, denoted as offensive player B, is open near the left side wing.
In this instance, offensive player B is more than one pass away. That is to say, the ball would have to be thrown twice, from the right side wing to the top, and then from the top to the left side wing if any offensive players were to only use a simple pass such as the chest pass.
Additionally, for this case, executing two passes is generally too slow so there is a high likelihood that offensive player B would no longer be open upon receiving the ball.
So, to solve that problem, offensive player A could throw an overhead pass to offensive player B for a possible scoring opportunity.
Moreover, since the overhead pass is generally much faster and can cover more distance than the chest pass, the defender guarding player B may not have enough time to execute a proper defensive closeout, which is beneficial to the offensive team.
Furthermore, for this example, if offensive player A was to throw an overhead pass to offensive player B, that would also be known as a skip pass because the ball gets skipped over the top from the right side wing to the left side wing.
Baseball pass
The baseball pass consists of offensive action that occurs when a player in possession of the basketball launches it to a receiver, typically using a throwing motion that is somewhat similar to a pitcher’s throw in the sport of baseball.
The baseball pass is typically used when a player with the ball wants to throw it a long distance such as from the backcourt to the frontcourt.
The baseball pass is also a good method for generating a quick scoring opportunity, particularly during transition offense.
For example, let’s say that offensive player A gains possession of the ball via a defensive rebound, which also initiates transition offense in the backcourt.
At the same time, let’s say that offensive player B quickly sprints into the frontcourt before the opposing team could react with proper transition defense, such as getting back to protect the basket.
Next, let’s say that offensive player A throws the baseball pass via the air, particularly over the top of the various defenders. Afterwards, offensive player B receives the ball and then scores at the rim with a layup or dunk.
Hook pass
The hook pass consists of offensive action that occurs when a player in possession of the basketball propels it through the air with a throwing motion that is somewhat similar to a hook, which could then lead to scoring or playmaking opportunities.
The hook pass is typically used during dribble penetration, particularly towards the lane. Essentially, the dribble penetration generally causes the on-ball defender as well as any additional off-ball help defenders to move inwards towards the paint, primarily to protect the basket.
Once that happens, one or more offensive players, especially near the perimeter areas of the court could be open for a potential scoring opportunity.
Afterwards, the player in possession of the ball could utilize the hook pass to move it swiftly to one of those other offensive players.
For example, let’s say that offensive player A is initially near the left side wing while offensive player B is initially near the left side low post block.
Following that, let’s say that the offensive player A is able to get middle dribble penetration towards the basket via a on-ball screen set by offensive player B while facing the sideline.
However, instead of rolling to the basket, let’s say that offensive player B simply pops out to fill and replace at the left side wing.
Next, let’s say that multiple defenders, including the defender guarding offensive player B, are pulled into the paint area because of offensive player A’s ability to score near the rim.
As a result, offensive player A executes the hook pass to be received by offensive player B. From there, offensive player B has the opportunity to take an open jump shot.
Lob pass
The lob pass contains offensive action that happens when a player in possession of the basketball throws it with a high arc into the air, usually over the top of one or more defenders, to a teammate who could then catch the ball and potentially score.
The lob pass is generally implemented as a counter to a low post defensive front or as a method of creating a quick scoring opportunity at the rim via alley-oop action.
As a example, let’s say that offensive player A initially has the ball at the top and then passes it offensive player B near the right side wing.
Following that, let’s say that offensive player B would like to throw the ball near the low post block to offensive player C. However, defender C that is guarding offensive player C implements a defensive front to impede the post entry pass.
So, to counter that, offensive player B decides to throw a lob pass over the top of defender C. At the same time, offensive player C is able to create separation from defender C by stepping towards the basket while the ball is still floating in the air. Afterwards, offensive player C could catch the ball and score at the rim with a layup or dunk.