Rule 1. "Don't be boring." - David Mamet
Rule 2. "Every article should have at least six pieces of reporting information." - Investigative journalist Bob Woodward.
The no look pass (NLP) is a misnomer because the passer saw the receiver. Rephrase it as a look away or look off pass that disguises the passer’s intent.
The NLP requires the same on time, on target delivery, and awareness by the passer but alert receivers. It adds value during inbounding and reminds us that eye fakes move and hold defenders.
We associate the NLP with crafty passers like Magic Johnson and Avrydas Sabonis and flamboyant ones like Pete Maravich or Ernie DiGregorio. But an unappreciated NLP wizard is LeBron James.
Not so many associate No Look Pass with the eponymous documentary about Emily Tay, a Burmese woman who earned All-Ivy honors after growing up watching Allen Iverson tapes.
Don't be watching with your youth team as the language approaches that of a longshoreman. Harvard coach Kathy Delaney-Smith remarked, "I'm working on it."
Some "touch passes" are variants of the NLP.
Great passes make three people happy - the receiver, passer, and coach.
Lagniappe: Pete Maravich explains the "wrist pass" while Red Auerbach cautions, "don't do it."