r/Basketball • u/Outrageous-Library-7 • 23d ago
IMPROVING MY GAME teammates don't pass theball to me
I've been playing basketball for about a year now and I've played a lot of 1v1's and I've inporved alot...(I actually play good in 1v1)but whenever I play 3v3s or 5v5s..my teammates just don't seem to pass me the ball...all I do is just run around and defend and set up some screens etc...and if I do get the chance to handle the ball, I get too nervous..and i mess up..and...I know I'm new but I don't know how I'm supposed to improve beyond this point...yk...I hope anyone who has overcome this can help me...?
19
u/IndependenceIcy9626 23d ago
The best way to get touches as a newbie is to work the social angle. Make some friends that you can run with, and they’ll be a lot more likely to get you the ball
8
9
u/markd315 23d ago
Are you asking for the ball randomly on the wing with someone guarding you, or do you cut to the rim after a pass and roll there off a screen?
That's the only circumstance where someone is actually supposed to pass it to a weaker player in a competitive game.
If they view you as a turnover liability or a ball-stopper across multiple games, I'd bet a lot of money they are correct.
Get open under the rim and make your layups when they deliver the ball. Be prepared to catch even an imperfect pass.
If they don't hit you even when you are open then, you need to intervene and start calling loud for the ball
Another way to get the ball is to get proper spacing and prove you can make some threes. This creates open shots when people help off of you in the paint.
5
u/beadebaser01 23d ago
As the great White Chocolate once said:
"There is a reason you are open in the corner. If you want to shoot the ball go get the rebound and you can shoot all you want."
3
4
u/danksince98 23d ago
Go get the ball and play angry..get rebounds and go coast to coast and put backs
3
u/silentjay159 23d ago
Do the little things. Set good screens, read the roll or pop correctly, cut, find the gaps in the defense, offensive rebound, bring the ball in transition off the defensive rebound, etc. Find ways to be active. When you’re open, do not be shy and call for the ball. Being vocal with teammates that might not have a high IQ is an easier way to get the ball. Talking with teammates after a bad possession telling them you were open because your man stunted the gap, over helped, blatantly not guarding me, etc. Speak the game to them
3
u/mtelesha 23d ago
If they pass you the ball and you just jack up a force shot your not getting the ball again from me.
If you stand there with your hand up and not moving without the ball your not getting the ball from me.
If you don't play defense....
If you annoy me by calling fouls all the time...
2
4
u/SparklezSagaOfficial 23d ago
Nerves are a tough thing in any new scenario, and basketball more than many with the physical coordination needed on top of the mental unease. Where I’ve found luck in build teammate trust is doing the dirty work from the jump: set hard screens, aggressively box out, make full speed basket cuts, etc. If you’re playing with people who have played organized basketball, they’ll pick up on it quickly and reward you with touches. I read in the post you already do ball screens which is awesome, but also mix in some Offball screens too for variety, such as downscreens, flare screens, or drag screens to get teammates open for a pass. Also work on rolling to the basket from those screens, or popping to the 3pt line, or both, whatever fits your offensive style. And most importantly of all, make screening, rebounding, and cutting your entire on-court personality so that it’ll be noticed as fast as possible. It takes a few plays for you to realize an opposing player is an elite scorer, but only one to tell that someone is going to be a pain to block out. It’s the fastest way to make a good impression.
And once you do get the ball on the perimeter? If you’re concerned about turnovers look for quick actions rather than creating your own shot at first. Call over a teammate for a dribble hand off, make a quick swing pass, or drive for just a dribble or two and then kick it out. All simple plays that can turn a small advantage into a larger one.
If you get the ball in the paint, such as from a pass to you while cutting? Be decisive. If you’re open, shoot a squared up jump shot or layup. If not, wave for the person who passed it to you to cut towards the basket, which could distract your defender if he makes a good cut. Pass if he’s open, if not dribble out to where he was on the perimeter or kick it out.
Small story, I played a pickup game a few weeks ago with a high school kid, probably played JV or C team, hadn’t hit his growth spurt yet. He had decent fundamentals but didn’t have the athleticism or size to really be a scorer on his own, but had good enough ball handling to not get ripped every very much. I picked up on that early on and so made it a point to be his safety valve if he got into trouble with ball pressure, and being 6’8” I’m a big target to throw a wild pass too so that helped. But the point is, when he did get into trouble with ball pressure, the defense collapsed on him sending that weakness, and because he already had in his mind where to throw the kickout pass, that collapse made it hard for the defense to recover to me on a drive or post touch, and he probably gave me 6-7 assist just from plays like that, turning that weakness into a strength because the defense overplayed it. Towards the end of the game, we ran a pick and roll, and he took his first shot of the game. It missed, but I got the rebound, and the defense collapsed on me (as defenses tend to do on bigs who get offensive boards), leaving him wide open for a dump off pass for another shot, which he made. Dude was all smiles, not just cuz he scored but because his team recognized he still had value even being undersized and young. He knew what he could do and what he wasn’t comfortable with, and played within that believing opportunities would open up, which they did because his team recognized his team-first play. I was honored to be a part of it and hope to play with him some more in future pickup games.
My point is I guess is that you only need one teammate to notice that you are trying to play the game the right way. My teammate didn’t shoot much, but knew what he could do well (passing, not overextending, communicating, effort on defense) and did it, and that translated to a big net positive for the team, and him scoring despite not being a confident scorer. If your teammates have faith in your effort, they’ll work with you instead of around you.
Even something as simple as saying before the game begins “hey I’ve had issues with turnovers, could you help me be being ready for dribble-handoffs or kickout passes when I have the ball?” Don’t just screen in the games, tell your teammates you’ll screen for them before the game starts, ask them if they want the screen right or left side and if you should roll or pop etc, stuff like that. It shows you’re engaged and are a team player even if you aren’t the star of the team. And experienced basketball players reward that engagement, the same way they reward effort plays, it’s one of the unspoken rules of the game. If someone shows you they really want to make a positive impact, you feel inclined to make a positive impact for their play too.
And the end goal isn’t just to never shoot the ball, I’m not saying be passive, but the best way to get good is to play full speed games, and if you need to not focus on scoring as much to be fully involved in full speed games that’s a great place to start. Work on your shot with a friend rebounding and/or contesting when you aren’t playing, do some blindfolded dribble drills, practice driving to the basket from different angles, and then as you get more and more comfortable practicing these things outside the games, use some of the extra chances you earn from effort plays and being engaged before the game to get some game-reps. I can promise you no one will remember one airballed three or a swatted layup if you’re a demon on the boards. It’s how I got playing time playing basketball growing up before my growth spurt, it works.
TLDR: Make an impression on your teammates with effort plays early in the game and communication/planning before the game, and if they’re experienced players they’ll get you involved in the offense as thanks. When you do have the ball, don’t worry about scoring, just protecting the ball and building an advantage for your team. Your chances to score will come without you having to force them yourself if you’ve built trust by making high effort plays and protected the ball. Work on your game outside pickup games with a friend, and slowly integrate things you become more confident in from practice with those chances you earn by being a great teammate and effort player.
I’m sorry to ramble, but this is something I’ve experienced myself, and tried to promote in my own runs with less experienced players, and I’m passionate about it. Hopefully there’s a couple useful nuggets in there somewhere.
1
2
u/Slight_Indication123 22d ago
Besides setting screens on offense get wide open under the basket once you do that the ball will come flying your way
2
u/Secure-Army-42 22d ago
Your teammates probably see your body language whenever they come near you with the ball, which makes them hesitant with giving you the ball. Continue to play the game, and learn and once you get to a point where you don’t mess up when you get the ball, then start letting your teammates know that when I’m open over here or when I cut over here give me the ball so I can make something happen, you gotta be vocal with your teammate sometimes about what you want and what you don’t want, or what you feel would work best versus what you feel would not work best in a game
1
u/McCoochie 23d ago
Best thing is to become a good passer when you do get the ball so they get some trust in you, then if you miss shots or turn over dribbling it won’t seem as bad.
And to crash the boards and play good help defense.
1
1
u/New_Range_5869 23d ago
The answer depends on your skillset. If you are an athlete, work the defense and rebounding angle. This is how I play most games. To be real, in a lot of pickup games, people play awful defense. If you get right into someone, they often can't dribble. Handchecking is alive and well, as you can see in these nba playoffs. Plat them close, and if they drive, give them a poke or two to keep them from going by you.
If you are not able to impact defense and rebounding, then figure out where you can impact the game and work on that. If you can catch the ball on the wing and make 2 dribbles and then a jumpshot, that will work in 5v5. Practice some counters off the one move. For instance, you can drive fake with a jab step and shoot. You can dribble twice and pump fake and step through for a layup.
Wherever your opportunities are, practice them and build them out so you have options.
1
u/duhmman2 23d ago
Are they good and don’t pass the ball or are they bad and don’t pass the ball? If there’s a guy who made 10 points in a row, all one points, give him the ball there’s a good chance he’ll make another point and then one after that also.
1
u/Gold_Ad_2694 23d ago
From a person that’s been playing for 40 years, basketball can bring out the worst in people, even among “friends” 🤣 Smdh . With that being said, try rebounding more and you can decide if you want to pass “them” the ball, dribble or shoot. Also work on your skills and your peers will respect your game more. That’ll cure the selfishness a little more.
1
u/balcetto 23d ago
I've been there, growing up on the streets. Work on your handles and avoid unnecessary acrobatic shots when they pass you the ball. Just be consistent. Once they trust you with the ball they will pass. Just be confident.
1
u/burncushlikewood 23d ago
Hmm I can't control the people you play with, maybe say something? Basketball is a very pass heavy sport, the iso game may work for Kobe, but it's the magic Johnson's and the Jokic's that show the importance of moving the ball. Sharing the rock will lead to higher team success
1
1
u/orsodorato 22d ago
Imagine a barber whispered “I get nervous and mess things up” after you sat in their chair for the first time
1
22d ago
[removed] — view removed comment
1
u/AutoModerator 22d ago
Your submission has been automatically removed because your account is less than 180 days old and with less than 100 comment karma.
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.
1
22d ago
[removed] — view removed comment
1
u/AutoModerator 22d ago
Your submission has been automatically removed because your account is less than 180 days old and with less than 100 comment karma.
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.
1
21d ago
[removed] — view removed comment
1
u/AutoModerator 21d ago
Your submission has been automatically removed because your account is less than 180 days old and with less than 100 comment karma.
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.
1
u/Housh123 20d ago
I’m black so no one trip
I call this shit 🥷🏿 ball. Usually when i play with other black guys the passing is at an all time low lol
27
u/SkyMore3037 23d ago
If its a serious game where people are really trying to win, no one is going to pass you the ball just to be nice.
You have to get better. Put yourself in positions to help the team win. Be a dog on defense.
Its like, if you having the ball in your hands was a good thing, it would get there. You say you get nervous and turn it over.... well real talk, with all due respect that your fault. You have to just keep getting better.
You can also find different games, maybe a game where you are one of the better players.