Helena Frye
Posting up in basketball is a strategy used by players to gain a positional advantage over their opponents. It involves a player moving into the post area of the basketball court, usually the low post, to receive a pass from the point guard. The post is the area from the free-throw line to the baseline, and it is usually painted a different colour. Posting up is particularly effective if you are bigger than your defender, as it will be easier to push them around in the paint, which is the area inside the free-throw lines. Once in position, the offensive player will face away from the basket and get ready to receive a pass. When the ball is received, the player has several options, including pivoting, backing down a defender, spinning, faking out, or power dribbling to create scoring opportunities.
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What You'll Learn
Post positions: high and low
Posting up is one of the most physical parts of basketball, and it is a good strategy if you are bigger than your defender. The post is the area of the basketball court from the free-throw line to the baseline, usually painted a solid colour and known as the paint or the key. There are two post positions: the high post, which is the upper area near the free-throw line, and the low post, which is the area near the basket.
High post players will usually begin with their faces towards the basket, while low post players will start with their backs to the basket. When posting up, players will usually move into the low post to receive a pass. From this position, they can pivot, back down a defender, spin, fake out, or power dribble to create scoring opportunities.
When playing in the low post, there will be a lot of contact. To succeed, players must embrace contact and relentlessly attack their opponents to score, get to the free-throw line, and get their opponents in foul trouble. Young players should get low, stay wide, and be strong with the ball. This will help them hold their ground and absorb contact.
The high post is a specific area of the basketball court that begins at one edge of the free-throw line and extends to the other edge, as well as the area between the free-throw line and the top of the three-point line. High post offences emphasise the use of a high post player who can gain possession of the basketball and use other offensive actions such as handoffs or screens to create scoring opportunities near the basket or around perimeter areas of the court.
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How to post up
Posting up is an important offensive strategy in basketball, and it's usually the role of power forwards and centers, also known as post players. The post is the area of the basketball court from the free-throw line to the baseline, often painted a solid color and referred to as the paint or the key. There are two post positions: the high post (near the free-throw line) and the low post (near the basket). Here's a step-by-step guide on how to post up effectively:
Find the Position
Identify the post position on the court and move into this area, usually the low post, to receive a pass from the point guard. Making eye contact with the passer can help ensure the pass is received.
Receive a Pass
Once in the post position, face away from the basket, ready to receive the pass. This is an important part of the strategy as it increases the possibility of scoring, which will be the focus of the defenders.
Make a Move
When the ball is received, there are several options available to the post player. They can try to draw fouls, or use their speed, agility, and footwork to outmaneuver the defender. Specific moves include a drop step, power dribble, power move, shot fake, pump fake, or a triple-threat stance.
Shoot the Ball
Both the high and low post positions offer good scoring opportunities. Depending on the play, a layup, up-and-under shot, slam dunk, or a mid-range shot like a jump shot, fadeaway, or hook shot can be attempted. Being able to shoot with both hands increases the chances of scoring and opens up more options for fakes and spins to confuse defenders.
Additional Tips
- Be patient when assessing the situation and making your move.
- Embrace contact and be willing to put your body on the line.
- Use the lower half of your body to initiate contact to avoid personal fouls.
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How to receive a pass
To receive a pass when posting up in basketball, you must first get into a good position. The post is the area of the basketball court from the free-throw line to the baseline, usually painted a solid colour, and known as the paint or the key. The upper area, near the free-throw line, is the high post or upper post, and the area near the basket is the low post.
The low post is the ideal position to receive a pass, as you won't get a 3-second violation in the paint and you'll have plenty of room to work. However, the closer you are to the basket, the better. If you're posting up against a taller defender, you might want to position yourself a little further away from the basket, to avoid getting blocked.
Once you're in position, face away from the basket and make eye contact with the point guard or passer. When the ball is passed, catch it with both hands and pull it to your chest. Keep your knees bent to avoid losing your balance. As soon as you have possession, stick your elbows out and hold the ball tight to keep opponents from swiping it.
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Post moves
Finding the Position
The post is the area of the basketball court from the free-throw line to the baseline, usually painted a different color. This area is known as the paint or the key. There are two post positions: the high post (near the free-throw line) and the low post (near the basket). Offensive players can move into the post area, usually the low post, to receive a pass from the point guard. As a rule of thumb, the closer you are to the basket, the better.
Receiving the Pass
Once in the post position, the offensive player will face away from the basket and get ready to receive a pass. Making eye contact with the passer helps. When the pass comes, catch the ball with both hands and pull it to your chest. Keep your knees bent to avoid losing your balance. Stick your elbows out to protect the ball from opponents.
Making a Move
Once you have the ball, you have several options. You can pivot, back down your defender, spin, fake out, or power dribble to create scoring opportunities. You can also try to draw fouls or use your speed, agility, and footwork to outmaneuver your defender. Be patient and assess the situation before making your move. If you're bigger than your defender, don't be afraid to use your size and weight to your advantage.
Shooting
Both the high and low post positions offer good scoring opportunities. You can go for a layup, up-and-under shot, slam dunk, or a mid-range shot like a jump shot or hook shot. Practice shooting with both hands to increase your scoring options. The jump hook is a particularly effective post move as it's quick and difficult to defend.
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Fouls and contact
Posting up is one of the most physical parts of basketball, so don't be afraid of some contact. However, there are rules about the type and amount of contact that is allowed, and breaking these rules will result in a foul being called.
Rules for Offensive Players
When posting up, you can push your opponent with your back or sides, but not with your hands, arms, or shoulders. You can use your forearm to stop your opponent from getting in your space, but you can't push them with it. You must also avoid charging into your opponent or bending your body into an unnatural position. If you do any of these things, you will be called for a personal foul.
Rules for Defensive Players
When guarding a player with the ball, you may not make contact with them using your forearm, hands, or body check. However, if the offensive player has their back to the basket below the free-throw line outside the Lower Defensive Box, you may apply contact with your forearm. You may also apply contact with a forearm and/or one hand with a bent elbow to an offensive player in a post-up position with the ball in the Lower Defensive Box. Additionally, you may position your leg between the legs of an offensive player in a post-up position in the Lower Defensive Box to maintain your defensive position, but if your foot leaves the floor in an attempt to dislodge your opponent, it is a foul.
Technical Fouls
Technical fouls may be assessed for unsportsmanlike conduct, such as cursing at an official or deliberately throwing an elbow at an opponent. They can be given to any player on the court or anyone on the bench, and a maximum of two technical fouls can be assessed per person. If a player or coach commits two technical fouls, they must be ejected from the game.
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Frequently asked questions
Posting up is a strategy in basketball where a player moves into the post area of the basketball court, usually the low post, to receive a pass from the point guard. The post is the area of the basketball court from the free-throw line to the baseline.
There are a few rules to keep in mind when posting up in basketball:
- Don't push off your opponent's back to create space as this is a foul.
- Don't stand in the paint for more than 3 seconds or you may get called for an offensive foul.
- Embrace contact and don't be afraid to throw your weight around as posting up is one of the most physical parts of basketball.
Here are some tips to post up effectively:
- Get to the lower block before your point guard passes the half-court line to beat the defender.
- Slide in front of your defender and face the ball.
- Catch the ball with both hands and pull it to your chest.
- Make eye contact with the point guard or passer to help receive the pass.
- Be patient on the low block and don't rush your post moves.
- Practice using both your right and left hand so you don't have limited scoring options.
