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Good Passes = Better Shots: A Lesson from the Cleveland Cavaliers
In basketball, we often focus on the shooter when it comes to hitting big shots. But what if I told you the quality of the pass plays a huge role in shooting percentages? The Cleveland Cavaliers have embraced this concept in their practices by awarding bonus points for good passes—and the results are telling.
Here’s why it matters:
Shooting Percentages by Pass Quality
• A pass that hits the shooter in the strike zone (directly in the chest) leads to a 42% success rate on 3-pointers.
• A pass slightly outside the strike zone (a “Ball”) drops that percentage to 36%.
• A pass completely outside the zone (a “Wild Pitch”) results in a dramatic decrease to 27%.
The data is clear: the better the pass, the better the shot.
How the Cavs Reinforce This in Practice
During specific practice segments, the Cavs assign bonus points based on the quality of the pass leading to the shot:
• Strike Zone Pass: 3-pointer is worth 4 points.
• Ball: 3-pointer is worth 3 points.
• Wild Pitch: 3-pointer is worth just 2 points, essentially penalizing a bad pass.
This scoring system reinforces the importance of delivering accurate passes and encourages players to think about how they’re setting up their teammates—not just the end result of the play.
What This Means for You
Whether you’re coaching youth, high school, or college players, this is a lesson worth implementing:
• Teach the strike zone: Emphasize hitting the shooter in the chest with every pass.
• Reward good passes: Incorporate a similar scoring system into your shooting drills or scrimmages.
• Create accountability: Make your players aware of how their passes impact shooting percentages and overall team performance.
By focusing on passing accuracy, you’ll not only improve shooting percentages but also foster a team-first mentality that rewards doing the little things right.
The Takeaway: Great shooters are made, but great shots are created by great passes.
Let’s train our players to value both.
— Reid Ouse
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