5 Passing Drills to Build Tough, Smart, & Unselfish Basketball Players

Basketball Passing Drills That Build Game-Ready Players

If your team struggles to pass against pressure…

If your players turn it over on basic entries…

Or if your players miss open teammates and settle for contested shots…

It’s time to get back to the basics of passing, and I have 5 of our favorite basketball passing drills outlined and ready to go.

But before we dive in, here are a few more offensive resources you may want to explore:

1. 5 Game-Like Shooting Drills to Build Confident, Consistent Scorers
2. Rebounding Drills to Build Toughness & Game-Winning Habits
3. Competitive Basketball Drills to Build Game-Ready Teams

Alright, so back to the basketball passing drills… Each drill is game-like, competitive, and teaches more than just how to pass—it teaches players how to think, move, and connect.

1. 2-on-2 Entry Basketball Passing Drill – Teach players how to get open and pass under pressure

Make better first-pass decisions and reduce turnovers with this competitive, small-sided game that trains timing, spacing, and entry passing reads.

2-on-2 Entry Passing Drill 

2. Serbian Passing – Master passing on the move

Perfect as a warm-up or skill builder, this fast-paced basketball passing drill helps players pass and catch in full stride using a variety of creative passes.

Serbian Passing Drill 

3. Wrap Passing Drill – Develop precision, footwork, and quicknes

A fundamental passing series that teaches airborne footwork, first-step quickness, and crisp passes—wrapped inside one efficient drill.

Wrap Passing Drill 

4. Post Pass Progression – Train your bigs to read and deliver under pressure

From high-low feeds to handling double teams, this post-specific passing drill gives your bigs the game reps they need to become lethal.

Post Pass Progression Drill 

5. “One Extra” Basketball Passing Drill – Build unselfish habits and great ball movement

Train players to make the extra pass, read the closeout, and turn good shots into great shots. Perfect for building a team-first offense.

“One Extra” Passing Drill

Why These Drills Work

Great passing is about more than technique—it’s about:

• Making reads under pressure
• Connecting with teammates
• Playing with purpose

These basketball passing drills simulate real decisions players have to make—and that’s what builds game-ready confidence.

Basketball Passing Drills FAQs

Q: Why is passing under pressure an important skill to develop?

A: This is where most turnovers happen. Teams turn up the heat, start flying around, and put the pressure on. And if the offense isn’t prepared, they can start to panic, begin forcing passes, and that can lead to turnover city. Drills like the 2-on-2 Entry Drill simulate defensive pressure and train players to stay composed, read the defender, and deliver accurate passes.

Developing this skill leads to fewer turnovers, better ball movement, and more scoring opportunities.

Start with the 2-on-2 Entry Drill to build confident passers under pressure.

Q: How can I help players improve passing while on the move?

A: Players often struggle with passing while in motion, especially at high speeds. The Serbian Passing Drill is designed specifically for this—it emphasizes full-speed movement, creative passing angles, and constant awareness of teammates’ positioning.

This builds the muscle memory and coordination required to pass without slowing the pace of play.

Use Serbian Passing during warm-ups to sharpen passing-on-the-move fundamentals.

Q: What’s the best way to teach footwork in passing drills?

A: Proper footwork ensures that passes are quick, controlled, and accurate. The Wrap Passing Drill focuses on airborne pivots, explosive first steps, and balanced deliveries. Teaching footwork through passing drills reinforces movement skills while embedding passing mechanics into game-like patterns.

Incorporate Wrap Passing weekly to reinforce both footwork and passing sharpness.

Q: Can passing drills be position-specific?

A: Yes. The Post Pass Progression drill is a perfect example. It develops passing angles and decision-making specifically for post players, such as feeding cutters, recognizing double teams, and making high-low passes.

Use Post Pass Progression to develop your bigs as both scorers and facilitators.

Q: How do I encourage players to make the extra pass?

A: Teaching unselfishness starts with reps and habits. The “One Extra” Passing Drill gives players a structured way to recognize good vs. great shots, read defensive closeouts, and make the quick pass that leads to higher-percentage looks.

Run the “One Extra” Drill regularly to build team chemistry and ball movement.

Q: What’s the benefit of small-sided passing games like 2-on-2?

A: Small-sided games force players to make more decisions, more often. In a 2-on-2 format, spacing, timing, and passing become more emphasized because there’s less room to hide and more touches per player.

Try rotating players through small-sided passing games for increased reps and awareness.

Q: What kinds of passes should players be practicing regularly?

A: Players should consistently work on:

• Chest passes and bounce passes
• Overhead and wrap passes
• Skip passes and lead passes
• Passes out of traps or off the dribble

Incorporate multiple pass types into your warm-up routines for better all-around skill.

Q: Can I use these drills during both practices and individual workouts?

A: Yes. Most of these drills can be adapted for individual or partner-based workouts. For instance:

• Players can do Serbian Passing with a partner or coach.
• One-on-one wrap passing can still reinforce technique and speed.
• Post players can rehearse passing out of pressure with guided defense.

Adjust drill intensity and size based on your session type and goals.

Q: How do I assess progress with these passing drills?

A: Use metrics like:

• Turnover reduction in scrimmages
• Completion rate under timed drills
• Decision-making accuracy (making the right read)
• Footwork and body control under pressure

Track challenge scores and video review to measure decision-making and growth.

Continue Building Better Passers

Use these FAQs as a reference to deepen your drills and ensure your players are not just passing—but thinking, moving, and connecting like game-ready teammates. For more insight, explore the full drill breakdowns in the blog or join the PGC Coaches Circle for expanded resources.

If you’d like to explore even more resources just like these, grab a free 7-day trial to get access to our members-only content.
– TJ

Check out all of our offensive drills and strategy resources here.

About the Author

TJ Rosene

Coach TJ Rosene, head coach of the Emmanuel University men’s basketball team and Director of Coach Development for PGC Coaching, has spent his career shaping young athletes both on and off the court. With over 400 career wins and 12 seasons of 20+ wins, Rosene’s coaching experience is extensive and impressive. His teams have competed in six national championship games, winning three NCCAA National Championships. Under his leadership, the Lions made their NCAA Division II debut in 2018-19 and quickly captured two season titles and one tournament title, along with an appearance in the NCAA Division II Sweet 16 in 2021.

Rosene’s success expands far beyond the scoreboard. He’s been named National Coach of the Year three times and Conference Carolinas Coach of the Year twice. But for Coach Rosene, the most meaningful part of his work is the lasting impact he has on his players’ lives. As he puts it, “Coaching is a rare opportunity to shape and mold the lives of young people. It’s a privilege that I never take for granted.”