We would like to thank The Rockaway Times for asking us to contribute and we look forward to helping others learn more about the game we love. We continue to learn every day about this great game and hope our experiences can help you.
First up, there will be a basketball day camp August 17 through August 21, run by Charles Marquardt, Jr. at St Francis de Sales. It will be the camp’s third year and will bring the community together for the love of basketball. The basketball camp will focus on the development of fundamentals, specifically shooting, ball handling, defense, rebounding and passing. These skill topics are good introduction pillars to the game for beginners, or reviews, for those who have experience.
These building blocks will lead to the eventual freedom of playing with purpose. Playing with purpose will lead to impactful basketball, which will lead to ongoing success from CYO seasons to high school seasons.
An intangible value of learning physical skills, is being part of a team environment, and working towards a goal. Much like individual skill work, being a good teammate is vital to your growth within basketball. The trait of being a good teammate is underappreciated. Everyone can have an impact to a game, even without scoring a basket. (Effective passing is one way to have a positive impact.)
With each column, we plan to speak on one facet of the game and to its importance. This week, the topic is passing. On average, a team passes the ball more than 300 times per game. Passing is used to improve the chance of scoring by moving the ball to someone else, due to a better opportunity existing with a teammate. Basketball demands the ball moves quickly, successfully, and to the receiving person, with accuracy. As a point guard who earned assists and a shooting guard who racked up points, we can state from experience that good passing wins games for the team.
There are several types of passes executed in a basketball game: Bounce, chest, and overhead are the primary types of passes. The game’s situation will demand which type of pass to use. You will also hear applications of these passes. Some examples are cross-court passes (skip), post pass (block entry), and rebound/go (outlet).
The best part of the pass component in basketball is the willingness to “want” to make others better and see others succeed, rather than yourself, for the betterment of the team. To make the right play and not think only of yourself, clearly demonstrates team basketball. Unselfish basketball through passing can have a huge impact on a game, a team, a season. Even if a turnover occurs, you have established the type of play that you will be part of!
Everyone loves great passing players and teams. You do not need to score to make an impact. Pass the ball and love what it can do for you and your team.
Charles Marquardt, Sr., is the Men’s Basketball head coach at Mercy University and all-time winningest coach at Molloy University. Charles Marquardt, Jr. is a professional basketball player who led the Canadian Basketball Super League in scoring and was named Most Valuable Player.
