chest pass: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
mediumtechnical, sports
Quick answer
What does “chest pass” mean?
A basketball move where a player passes the ball by pushing it from their chest using both hands.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A basketball move where a player passes the ball by pushing it from their chest using both hands.
In basketball and other court sports, a fundamental two-handed pass in which the ball travels directly from the passer's chest toward a teammate's chest, following a straight or slightly arced trajectory.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant semantic difference. Usage is identical in both varieties, as the term is part of international basketball terminology.
Connotations
Technical, fundamental, basic skill.
Frequency
Equal frequency in both UK and US sports discourse, particularly in basketball coaching and commentary.
Grammar
How to Use “chest pass” in a Sentence
[Subject] + [Verb: throw/execute/make] + a chest pass + [to + Teammate][Subject] + chest-pass + [Direct Object: the ball] + [to + Teammate]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “chest pass” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He chest-passed the ball to the open player under the basket.
- You should chest pass, not lob it, in that situation.
American English
- She chest-passed it out of the double team.
- The drill requires you to chest pass on the coach's whistle.
adverb
British English
- No adverbial use.
- No adverbial use.
American English
- No adverbial use.
- No adverbial use.
adjective
British English
- No common adjectival use.
- The chest-pass technique is fundamental.
American English
- No common adjectival use.
- We worked on chest-pass accuracy.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not applicable.
Academic
Used in sports science, kinesiology, or physical education literature discussing motor skills and coaching methodologies.
Everyday
Used primarily when discussing or watching basketball.
Technical
Core term in basketball coaching manuals, playbooks, and live commentary to describe a specific passing technique.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “chest pass”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “chest pass”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “chest pass”
- Using 'chest pass' to describe any pass made from the upper body (e.g., an overhead pass).
- Pronouncing 'pass' with a long /ɑː/ in American English (should be /æ/).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, the chest pass is also a fundamental and very common pass in netball, with identical technique and terminology.
Yes, in sports contexts, it can be used as a verb (e.g., 'He chest-passed the ball'). This is more common in casual commentary or coaching than in formal writing.
A chest pass travels through the air directly to the receiver's torso. A bounce pass is thrown so the ball bounces on the floor once before reaching the receiver, often used to pass around a defender.
No, it is considered the most basic and fundamental passing technique in basketball and netball, usually one of the first skills taught to beginners.
A basketball move where a player passes the ball by pushing it from their chest using both hands.
Chest pass is usually technical, sports in register.
Chest pass: in British English it is pronounced /ˈtʃest ˌpɑːs/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈtʃest ˌpæs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “No established idioms”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of pushing a heavy box away from your CHEST with both hands. That's the motion of a CHEST PASS.
Conceptual Metaphor
Not applicable. The term is literal and descriptive.
Practice
Quiz
In which sport is the term 'chest pass' primarily used?