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Posting up in basketball is an important offensive strategy that can lead to high-percentage shots and increased scoring opportunities. The post refers to the area on the basketball court from the free-throw line to the baseline, also known as the paint or the key. Posting up involves a player, usually a power forward or center, moving into the post area to receive a pass. This guide will cover the key techniques and strategies for posting up in the paint, including positioning, receiving passes, and making effective moves to create scoring chances.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Area of the court | Under each basket, from the baseline below the basket to the free throw line |
| Distance from the basket | Catching the ball close to the basket or further away determines the post moves used |
| Post positions | High post (upper area, near the free-throw line) and low post (near the basket) |
| Post moves | Spin, jump hook, attack off the drive, shoot a bank shot, drop step, power dribble, power move, shot fake, pump fake, triple threat stance |
| Scoring opportunities | Layup, up and under shot, slam dunk, jump shot, fadeaway, hook shot |
| Rebounds | Most rebounds happen in the post, so players must be ready to rush in |
| Player height | Bigger players generally conduct post plays because of their height advantage |
| Player stance | Shoulders should be parallel to the backboard, back straight, knees slightly bent |
| Player technique | Use your body to protect the ball from opponents, keep the ball in your chest with shoulders up and elbows vertical |
| Time limit | A player cannot stay in the paint for more than three seconds while their team has control of the ball |
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What You'll Learn
- Find the position: Move into the post area, usually the low post, to receive a pass
- Receive a pass: Face away from the basket and make eye contact with the passer
- Make a move: Try a drop step, power dribble, or fake out to outmaneuver the defender
- Shoot the ball: Go for a layup, jump shot, or slam dunk, depending on your position
- Avoid fouls: Use your body to protect the ball from opponents and draw fouls
Find the position: Move into the post area, usually the low post, to receive a pass
To post up in the paint, you must first find your position. Move into the post area, usually the low post, to receive a pass. This is an area on the basketball court located under the basket, often painted a different colour to the rest of the court. It is also known as the key, measuring from the baseline below the basket to the free-throw line.
The post area is usually occupied by power forwards and centres, also known as post players. These players are typically taller and stronger, using their height advantage to score. However, players of any build can benefit from learning how to play effectively in the post.
When you have found your position in the post, you will usually be facing away from the basket, ready to receive a pass. Making eye contact with the passer can help with this. Once you have received the ball, you can pivot, back down a defender, spin, fake out, or power dribble to create scoring opportunities.
The distance from the basket will determine which post moves to use and how quickly you should try to score. For example, if you are close to the basket, a quick spin or jump hook can be effective. However, if the defender has forced you further out, it may be better to drive to the basket or shoot a bank shot. Patience is also important when posting up. You do not need to rush your moves, and slowing down can lead to better decisions and more successful scoring.
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Receive a pass: Face away from the basket and make eye contact with the passer
To post up in the paint in basketball, you must first find a position in the post area of the basketball court, usually the low post, to receive a pass. To receive a pass, face away from the basket and make eye contact with the passer. This will help you get the ball quickly and efficiently.
Making eye contact with the passer is important because it helps them know that you are ready to receive the pass. It also helps to establish good timing between you and the passer. Good timing ensures that you receive the pass when you are in the correct position or very shortly after. This is crucial because you cannot stay in the paint for more than three seconds while your team has control of the ball, or it will result in a turnover.
When receiving the pass, you must also be aware of your positioning and stance. Slightly bend your knees to solidify your stance and gain better balance, stability, and agility. This will also make you taller, giving you a greater reach when receiving the pass. Keep your back straight, as this will naturally give you better balance and stability, enabling you to move quickly in any direction.
Once you receive the pass, you will have several options for your next move. You can pivot, back down a defender, spin, fake out, or power dribble to create scoring opportunities. You can also try to draw fouls or rely on your speed, agility, and footwork to outmaneuver your defender.
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Make a move: Try a drop step, power dribble, or fake out to outmaneuver the defender
Once you've positioned yourself in the paint, it's time to make your move. Try a drop step, power dribble, or fake out to outmaneuver the defender and create space for a shot or pass. Here are some tips to execute these moves effectively:
The Drop Step:
- If you've caught the ball close to the basket, a quick drop step can give you the advantage you need to get a shot off.
- Use your body to bump the defender one way, then quickly take a powerful step in the opposite direction to create space.
- This move is especially useful if the defender is taller than you, as it allows you to get past them quickly.
Power Dribbles:
- Vary the speed and direction of your dribble to keep the defender off balance.
- Try the 'stop-and-go' dribble: take one hard dribble, then pull the ball back as if to shoot or pass, and when the defender relaxes, explode with another hard dribble.
- Use quick, sharp dribbles and change speeds suddenly to confuse the defender.
- Combine dribbles with physical fakes: try a jab step or shoulder fake in one direction, then quickly crossover in the other direction.
- Practice chaining these moves together to become unpredictable: jab step, crossover, hesitate, then explode to the hoop.
Fake Outs:
- Use a pump fake to trick the defender into thinking you're taking a shot. Quickly move the ball upward, then pull it back down to shoot or pass.
- A pump fake can create space between you and a defender who is too close, reducing the chance of a block.
- Combine a pump fake with precise footwork and a gaze towards the basket to make it more convincing.
- A hesitation or 'hesi' is another fake-out move: freeze for a split second while dribbling to trick the defender into changing direction, then move around them.
Remember, the key to outmaneuvering a defender is to keep them guessing. Use a variety of moves, mix up your speed and direction, and always be aware of your positioning and timing.
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Shoot the ball: Go for a layup, jump shot, or slam dunk, depending on your position
When shooting the ball, you have a few options depending on your position: a layup, jump shot, or slam dunk. A layup is a two-point shot where you leap from below and "lay" the ball up near the basket, using one hand to bounce it off the backboard and into the basket. It is considered the most basic shot in basketball. When doing a layup, you lift the outside foot (the foot away from the basket) to avoid blocks by taller defenders.
The overhand layup is similar to a jump shot but from a much closer range, and it almost always involves the backboard. The reverse layup is a type of layup used to evade a block, where the ball is tossed backward with the shooter facing away from the basket.
A jump shot is when you jump and shoot the ball in mid-air, usually with a higher arc than a layup. This can be done from further away from the basket than a layup.
A slam dunk, or dunk, is when a player jumps in the air, controls the ball above the horizontal plane of the rim, and shoves the ball directly through the basket with one or both hands. It is usually the highest percentage shot and a crowd-pleaser.
The type of shot you choose will depend on your position and the defender's position. If you are close to the basket and the defender is not in position, a quick spin or jump hook can be effective. If the defender has forced you further out, it may be better to drive to the basket or shoot a clean bank shot off the glass.
Practicing your post-up game will give you a wide range of scoring options and allow you to use different fakes to get around defenders.
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Avoid fouls: Use your body to protect the ball from opponents and draw fouls
When posting up in the paint, it's crucial to avoid committing fouls and drawing penalties. Here are some tips to achieve this:
When you have the ball in the post, always be mindful of using your body to shield the ball from opponents. Keep your body between your opponent and the basket. This technique will help protect the ball and give you more control over it.
To enhance your balance, stability, and agility, keep your back straight. This posture also makes you appear taller, positioning your shoulders and hands higher. As a result, you'll have a better reach when receiving passes or pulling down rebounds. Conversely, avoid arching your back forward, as it can destabilize you and make it easier for opponents to knock you off balance.
When shooting from under the basket, aim for the top corner of the small square on the backboard. This spot maximizes the chance of your shot going into the rim. Additionally, learn to fake out your defender to create more space for shooting. Initiate this move by pumping or lifting your head and the ball while keeping your backside out and knees bent to maintain power in your legs.
Mastering the art of drawing fouls within the post area is crucial in basketball. You can achieve this by understanding the rules and using your body effectively to protect the ball. Remember, drawing fouls can be a strategic way to gain an advantage and create scoring opportunities.
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Frequently asked questions
Posting up is an offensive strategy where a player moves into the post area of the basketball court, usually the low post, to receive a pass.
The post area, also known as the paint or the key, is the area on the basketball court located under each basket. It is usually painted a different colour than the rest of the court. The post area is further divided into the high post (near the free-throw line) and the low post (near the basket).
First, find the position in the post area, usually the low post. Second, receive a pass from the point guard by making eye contact and facing away from the basket. Third, make a move once you have the ball. You can pivot, back down a defender, spin, fake out, or power dribble to create scoring opportunities.
It is important to be patient and not rush your post moves. Assess the situation and then make your move. Understand that the battle in the paint starts before the ball is entered, so fight for position and hold it long enough so that the ball can be delivered for a finish at the basket. Practice your post moves regularly so that they become second nature and you can confidently execute them during games.
