What is the overhead pass in basketball
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 is one of the basic passes alongside the chest pass and the bounce pass that players should typically learn before executing additional more advanced types of passes.
The overhead pass is also a type of air pass because it is thrown via the air from its source (i.e. the player with the ball) to a destination (i.e. a receiver of the pass).
When should a player consider using the overhead pass
Generally speaking, a player in possession of the ball should consider using the overhead pass typically if the potential receiver of the pass is a significant distance from the passer such as when the player with the ball is more than one pass away from the potential receiver, specifically during basketball offense action, namely a half court set play.
Moreover, if a player gains possession of the basketball, typically as a defensive rebound in the backcourt, then that same player could execute the overhead pass as a type of outlet pass.
In that case, the player that has possession of the ball would essentially throw it ahead to a teammate near the frontcourt, or possibly cutting towards the basket for a quick scoring opportunity during transition offense.
Ultimately, it is important for a player to learn the overhead pass because if a player desires to pass to a teammate that is far away from their current location, then the basic chest pass or bounce pass could be potentially ineffective.
What are examples of situations that could include the overhead pass
Passing to a potential receiver more than one pass away
As an example, let’s say that offensive player A has the ball near the right side wing, particularly during a half court set play.
Let’s also say that at the same time, offensive player B is able to get open near the left side wing via an off-ball flare screen from another teammate.
Furthermore, let’s say that player A would initially desire to throw a basic chest pass or bounce pass across the court to player B.
However, in this instance, player B is more than one pass away from player A and because of the substantial distance between the two players, the overall speed of the basic chest pass or bounce pass could potentially be too slow.
This essentially means that there could be at least a small chance that basketball passes such as the chest pass or bounce pass would be deflected or intercepted by a defender.
Moreover, even if a defender does not deflect or intercept the chest pass or bounce pass as it would travel through the air across the court, the typical slower speed of those types of passes could give an on-ball defender enough time to execute a defensive closeout which could then limit offensive scoring opportunities.
As a result, it is probably more beneficial that player A throws an overhead pass, which also happens to be a skip pass in this case as well.
Passing from the backcourt to the frontcourt
As another example, let’s say that offensive player A gains possession of the ball in the backcourt during transition offense after the other team scores or misses a shot.
Let’s also say that offensive player B without the ball sprints into the frontcourt, while during transition defense, the majority of the defenders are still in the backcourt.
In other words, player A and player B have a possible opportunity to score quickly via primary break action.
From that point, if player A attempted to execute a basic chest pass or bounce pass within the backcourt to the frontcourt, then there could be at least a small chance that one of the backcourt defenders would be able to deflect or intercept those types of passes.
The main reason that could potentially occur is because the basic chest pass or bounce pass is generally more effective when the possible passer is not too far from the potential receiver of that pass.
However, in this instance, there is a considerable amount of distance between player A in the backcourt and player B in the frontcourt.
Therefore, the overhead pass, which also happens to be a type of long distance pass in this case, is probably a better choice than the chest pass or bounce pass.
How should a player generally execute the overhead pass
Generally speaking, to execute the basic overhead pass, a player should initially be in a proper stance, put both hands on the ball slightly over their head, step towards the receiver of the pass, and finally release the ball by throwing it to that same receiver.
Be in a proper stance
The proper stance for a player executing the overhead pass is similar to that of the basic chest pass or bounce pass. That is, the player should have both feet about shoulder width apart, knees bent slightly, eyes looking forward, and back straightened.
Put both hands on the ball
The player should have both hands on the sides of the ball with a firm grip that is not too tight. Basically, the player should grip the ball with the finger pads and have the fingers slightly bent while holding the ball.
Moreover, the player’s palms should not touch the ball while the player is holding it. In other words, there should be a small pocket of space between the palms of the player and the ball itself.
This is essential to understand because if the player grips the ball too tightly and/or the ball rests on the player’s palms, then the overall speed, velocity, and power of the overhead pass would most likely be affected in a negative or unintended manner.
Put another way, the overhead pass would more than likely be thrown inaccurately if the player grips the ball too tightly or not tightly enough.
Next, after gripping the ball properly, the player should hold it slightly over their head, but not directly behind their head, near the back of the neck area.
The player shouldn’t hold the ball directly behind their head because that would almost certainly have a negative impact on the speed, velocity, and/or power of the overhead pass as well.
Furthermore, the player’s elbows should be bent and pointing towards the receiver while the ball is over their head.
The player’s elbows should not be pointing outward away from the receiver as that would also affect the speed, velocity, and/or power of the pass negatively.
Step towards the receiver
After the player is in the proper stance while holding the ball over their head, that same player should then step towards the receiver of the pass.
As far as which foot to step towards the receiver with, the player with the ball could technically always use the dominant foot, assuming there is not much on-ball pressure.
Nevertheless, it is generally better to use whichever foot is adjacent to the direction of the pass.
For example, let’s say that offensive player A is at the top, offensive player B is near the right side wing, and offensive player C is near the left side wing.
Additionally, player A currently has possession of the ball and could pass it to either wing.
Let’s also say that player A is right-handed and therefore, this same player’s dominant foot would typically be the right foot.
Following that, if player A decides to throw an overhead pass to player B, then player A could simply step towards player B with the dominant foot, which also happens to be the right foot, in this specific case.
Moreover, if player A decides to throw a overhead pass to player C, then player A could step towards player C with the dominant foot, which again, is the right foot in this case.
However, since player C is on the left side of player A, it would usually be more effective and efficient if player A was to step with the non-dominant foot, which is the left foot, in this instance.
The reason this is important to consider is because it is slightly quicker for player A to step towards player C (who is on the left side wing) with the left foot.
In other words, if player A steps towards player C with the dominant (i.e. right) foot, then that takes a little bit longer because player A would have to turn their hips in the direction towards player C.
Release the ball
The player with the ball should release it (i.e. throw it) towards the receiver who should be ready to catch it, preferably near their chest area.
Also, when releasing the ball, the player should snap their wrists while generally pointing their fingers on both hands down towards the floor.
Furthermore, during the release, the player should extend their arms towards the receiver and straighten out their elbows from the initial bent position.
This basically verifies that the player with the ball will throw it utilizing enough speed and power so that the overhead pass could reach the receiver quickly and efficiently.
How can a player practice and improve the overhead pass
A player can practice and improve the overhead pass with a simple drill in which that same player would stand about four to six feet away from a wall, execute the overhead pass by throwing the ball with both hands to an area of the wall that is slightly above the player’s head, and then catch the ball with both hands as it bounces off the wall.
This basic wall passing drill could be completed over and over until the player is comfortable executing the overhead pass with high confidence.