A good entry pass gets the ball to a post player in a spot where he can score or make a play. The keys are creating a clean passing angle, reading how the post defender is playing, and throwing the ball to the post player’s target hand away from the defense. The passer and the post player work as a team: the post seals his defender and shows a target, while the passer adjusts his position, uses fakes and chooses the right type of pass.
Why Entry Passes Matter
Getting the ball inside forces the defense to react. A post catch near the basket can produce a high-percentage shot, draw fouls or pull help defenders into the lane, which opens shooters on the perimeter. Teams that feed the post well often find their outside shots become easier too, a pattern coaches call playing inside out. Poor entry passes, on the other hand, lead to deflections, turnovers and fast breaks for the other team.
Creating a Better Passing Angle
The most common reason entry passes fail is a bad angle. A pass straight from the top of the key into the post has to travel past more defenders and is easy to deflect. Improve your angle in several ways:
- Dribble to a better spot. One or two dribbles toward the baseline or the free throw line extended can open a clear lane.
- Pass from the wing or corner. These spots often give the best angles into the low post.
- Use a pass fake. Fake high to bring the perimeter defender’s hands up, then pass low with a bounce pass, or the reverse.
- Step around the defender. Use your pivot foot to create space and a new passing lane.
Reading the Post Defender
| Defender position | Best entry | Why it works |
|---|---|---|
| Playing behind | Direct bounce or chest pass to the post player’s target hand | The post player can catch and immediately work toward the basket |
| Three-quarter on the top side | Pass to the baseline-side hand, often from a lower angle | Leads the post player away from the defender |
| Three-quarter on the baseline side | Pass to the high-side hand, often from the wing or top | Lets the post player seal and turn toward the middle |
| Fronting | Lob over the top if weak-side help is gone, or reverse the ball to the high post for a high-low pass | Uses the defender’s position against him |
| Double team coming | Pass early before the trap forms, or hold and reverse | Prevents the post player from catching into a trap |
Types of Entry Passes
- Bounce pass: Often the safest entry against tall defenders, because it stays below their hands. Aim to bounce it about two-thirds of the way to the post player.
- Overhead pass: Useful when a smaller perimeter defender is guarding the passer, since the ball goes over his hands.
- Lob pass: Only when the post is fronted, sealed well and the weak-side help is out of position.
- Chest or push pass: Quick and direct when the lane is open and the post player is sealing behind.
- High-low pass: From a teammate at the high post to the low post, effective against fronting defenders.
The Post Player’s Job
An entry pass is easier when the post player does his part. He should establish position early, seal the defender with his body using a wide base and low hips, and show a clear target hand away from the defender. He must hold the seal until the ball arrives, then catch with two hands and chin the ball to protect it. Communication helps too: calling for the ball or signaling with the target hand tells the passer exactly where to throw.
How to Execute an Entry Pass Step by Step
- Get to a good passing spot. Move to the wing, corner or free throw line extended with a clear view of the post.
- Read the defenders. Check both the post defender’s position and your own defender’s hands.
- Create the angle. Use a dribble, pivot or fake to open the passing lane.
- Pass to the target hand. Throw to the hand the post player shows, away from his defender.
- Use the right pass. Choose a bounce, overhead, lob or direct pass based on the defense.
- Relocate. After the pass, move to a spot where the post player can pass back out, such as cutting or spacing for a three.
Entry Pass Drills
- Two-on-two post feed: A passer and post player work against two defenders, reading positions and choosing passes.
- Pass fake series: Passers practice high fakes into bounce passes and low fakes into overhead passes against a defender.
- Angle drill: Passers start at the top and must dribble to create a better angle before entering the ball.
- High-low drill: Practice passing from the high post to a low post player who seals his defender.
- Catch and chin drill: Post players practice catching entry passes and immediately protecting the ball.
Entry Passes Against Zone Defenses
Against a zone, the post player is often surrounded by more than one defender, so entries require patience. Look to pass into the short corner behind the zone or to a player flashing to the high post, where the middle defender must decide whether to step up. Ball reversal and skip passes shift the zone and open new entry angles. When the ball reaches the post against a zone, the receiver should immediately look for cutters and shooters as the zone collapses.
Playing Inside Out
Once the ball goes into the post, the offense should be ready for the next step. If defenders collapse on the post player, he can pass back out to shooters or cutters. Perimeter players should space the floor, relocate to open spots and cut when their defenders turn to watch the ball. This inside-out pattern often creates open threes and layups.
Rulebook note: The offensive three-second rule limits how long a post player can stay in the lane while his team has the ball, so timing between the passer and post player matters. Pushing off or holding to gain position can be called offensive fouls. Rules are similar across the NBA, NCAA, FIBA and NFHS, but check your league’s rulebook for details.
Common Entry Pass Mistakes
- Passing from a bad angle. Entries from straight on or from too far away are easy to deflect.
- Telegraphing the pass. Staring at the post player tells defenders where the ball is going.
- Throwing to the wrong hand. Passing toward the defender’s side leads to steals.
- Lobbing without help gone. A lob into a fronted post with weak-side help nearby is often intercepted.
- Forcing entries. If the post is denied, reverse the ball and try again rather than forcing it.
- Standing after the pass. Passers who stop moving make it easy for defenders to help.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best entry pass in basketball?
It depends on the defense, but the bounce pass is often the safest against tall defenders. The key is passing to the post player’s target hand away from the defender.
How do you pass to a fronted post player?
Use a lob if the weak-side help is out of position, or reverse the ball to a teammate at the high post for a high-low pass.
Why do coaches say play inside out?
Getting the ball into the post draws the defense toward the basket, which opens outside shots and cuts when the post player passes back out.
