Kristian Ferrell
Post play in basketball is an important aspect of the game, and a good understanding of the fundamentals can increase your team's chance of scoring. Post players are usually the power forwards and centres, who position themselves in the post area of the court, usually the low post, to receive a pass. From this position, they can use their footwork to pivot, spin, fake out, or power dribble to create scoring opportunities. Post players should be comfortable with physical contact and be able to use both hands to shoot and protect the ball. The distance from the basket and the position of the defender will determine which post moves to use, such as a jump hook, a layup, or a hook shot.
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What You'll Learn
Embrace physical contact
To be an effective post player, you must embrace physical contact. Basketball is a contact sport, and the sooner you get comfortable with the physicality of the game, the better. This means learning to create, absorb, and leverage contact situations to your advantage.
When initiating contact, use the lower half of your body. Extending an arm and touching your opponent can lead to a personal foul being called on you. However, applying contact properly can force your opponent into foul trouble. Use your body as a tool to gain an advantage.
In practice, use tools like E.A.T Battle Pads to simulate live-game situations and prepare for physical contact. These pads slide over your arms, allowing coaches to apply realistic physical contact during training while protecting players and coaches from injury. This helps players get comfortable with contact and improves their offensive game.
Additionally, focus on developing your physical capabilities. While height is an advantage for post players, it is not something you can control. Instead, work on your strength and conditioning to better handle the physical demands of the game. This will help you become a more well-rounded player, able to use your body effectively to create and absorb contact.
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Master footwork
Footwork is an essential aspect of basketball, and one of the most important skills to master if you want to be a good post player. Good footwork will help you get open to receive the pass, and set you up to score.
One of the most important things to master is the pivot. Being able to pivot on either foot will give you more options when attacking the basket. For example, if you receive the ball on the left block, you can use your left foot to forward pivot, or your right foot to reverse pivot, so that you are facing your opponent. From here, you can attack the basket. If the defender gets close to you, use a shot fake to bring them out of their defensive stance, giving you more space to shoot.
Another important footwork skill is the drop step. This is a great way to get around your defender and get closer to the basket. If you are facing the basket with your back to your defender, place your right leg behind you and the defender, so you cover more ground. This will allow you to spin off your defender to the right and get into a position to score.
You can also use your footwork to create space for a shot. If you are marked tightly by a defender, take a few steps away from the basket, then quickly move back into position. This will often create enough space for a shot. If the defender is still playing in front of you, use a "step-around" or "step-over" move to get into a position to receive the pass.
Finally, footwork is important when it comes to finishing a move and scoring. For example, when performing a hook shot, you can experiment with taking two longer steps to jump off one foot, rather than jumping off two feet. This will make your shot harder to block.
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Know your location on the court
Knowing your location on the basketball court is crucial for effective gameplay and coordination with your teammates. Here are some key points to help you understand and master court positioning:
Understanding Court Zones and Positions:
The basketball court is divided into several zones, including the post or paint area, which is the region from the free-throw line to the baseline. This area is usually painted a solid color to distinguish it. Within the post area, there are two key positions: the high post or upper post near the free-throw line, and the low post close to the basket.
Player Positions and Responsibilities:
Basketball teams typically have five players on the court, each assigned to specific positions based on their skills and roles. The three main categories of positions are guard, forward, and center. The guard position can be further divided into the point guard (PG) and shooting guard (SG). The forward position includes the small forward (SF) and power forward (PF). The center (C) position, also known as the "post position," is usually played by the tallest member of the team.
Posting Up and Its Advantages:
Posting up refers to the act of an offensive player moving into the post area, usually the low post, to receive a pass and create scoring opportunities. Players who are bigger than their defenders often find posting up advantageous as it allows them to utilize their size and strength in the paint. By posting up, players can establish a good scoring position, pivot, back down a defender, spin, fake out, or use power dribbles to create scoring chances.
Strategic Considerations:
When posting up, it is essential to be aware of your teammates and defenders. Making eye contact with the point guard or passer can help facilitate a pass. Once you receive the pass, you can turn and shoot immediately if the defender is out of position. Additionally, setting screens for your teammates can create scoring opportunities for them and open up space for you. The low post is ideal for posting up as it provides more room to work and reduces the risk of a 3-second violation in the paint.
Versatility and Adaptability:
While certain positions have traditional responsibilities, such as the center dominating in the low post, the game has evolved toward more specialized roles and faster-paced play. For example, small forwards are known for their versatility, often taking on responsibilities beyond their position, including scoring, rebounding, ball handling, and passing. Understanding your teammates' strengths and adapting your positioning accordingly can create a well-coordinated and dynamic team.
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Use both hands to score
Using both hands to shoot in basketball can give you an advantage and keep defences guessing. It is also good for injury prevention. If you continually throw or shoot with one hand, it can lead to muscle imbalances and, if you are still growing, this can lead to injuries.
However, there is a counter-argument that says teaching players to shoot equally well with both hands can lead to indecision, resulting in inconsistent and poor shooting. The benefits of using either hand are mainly for dribbling and passing, and shots around the basket.
If you are going to shoot with both hands, it is critical to learn the optimal grip and release. This will help you to develop a repeatable form and create as much positive power in the shooting motion as possible. Positive power is any energy that is straight up and in line with the hoop.
To achieve a consistent release, you need to learn how to grip the basketball correctly. This involves using both hands to hold the ball stable while also using the correct motion to push the ball forward. The guide hand should support the ball until the shooting hand can fully get underneath it and support it.
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Be patient and assess the situation
To score in the post in basketball, you need to be patient and assess the situation. Post players are known for their presence close to the basket, so you need to be comfortable with physical contact and be able to use your body to gain a scoring advantage. Understand your location on the court and your distance from the basket. This will help you determine which post moves to use. For example, if you receive the ball near the hoop, you can try a jump hook for a quick scoring opportunity. If you are being forced away from the basket by a strong defender, you can post up to regain your position or reverse pivot and attack the basket.
Being patient also means being aware of your defender's positioning. If your defender is pushing against one side of your body, you can use this to your advantage by spinning off them towards the other side to create space for a shot. You can also use your non-shooting hand to keep the defender at a distance, preventing your shot from being blocked. A shoulder feint, or "dream shake", can be used to fake a turn to one side before turning to the other to score.
When receiving a pass, a post player will often have their back to the basket. In this situation, you can pivot so that your body becomes perpendicular to the basket. Jump off both feet and extend your shooting arm directly vertical above your shoulder, turning your head towards the basket as you do so. As you jump, release the ball from your fingertips and snap your wrist, ensuring that you protect the ball with your non-shooting arm to prevent it from being blocked.
It's important to note that height and physicality are often advantages for post players, but they are not the only factors for success. Focus on skills that you can control, such as embracing contact, footwork, and technique. Even if you are not the tallest or most physically imposing player, you can still be effective by using your body effectively and understanding how to create scoring opportunities within the post area.
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Frequently asked questions
The post, also known as the "paint", is the rectangular region around the basket on a basketball court.
A good post player should be tall and physically strong. They should also have excellent footwork, be able to embrace physical contact, and have good knowledge of the court.
Some moves to score in the post include drop steps, hook shots, turnaround jumpers, jump hooks, layups, and slam dunks.
To improve your scoring in the post, focus on developing skills such as embracing contact, using your body effectively, and practicing various shooting techniques.
To create scoring opportunities, you can pivot, back down a defender, spin, fake out, or power dribble. Additionally, you can use your non-shooting hand to keep the defender at a distance and add a dream shake to make your moves less predictable.
