Andrew Pace
In basketball, the post is the area of the basketball court from the free-throw line to the baseline. This area is usually painted a solid colour and 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 post up by moving into the post area, usually the low post, to receive a pass. Post players are pivotal to a basketball team as they can change the game. They can use their height advantage to pivot, back down a defender, spin, fake out, or power dribble to create scoring opportunities.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | The post is an area of the basketball court from the free-throw line to the baseline. |
| Location | The post is usually painted a solid colour and is known as the paint or the key. |
| Post Positions | High post, mid-post, and low post. |
| Post Players | Power forwards and centres are most likely to post up. |
| Purpose | Posting up is a powerful offensive strategy to create scoring opportunities. |
| Techniques | Pivoting, backing down a defender, spinning, faking out, and power dribbling. |
| Challenges | It is physically demanding and requires comfort playing with your back to the basket. |
| Skills | Footwork, speed, agility, and precision are critical for successful posting up. |
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What You'll Learn
The low post
Low post players have their backs toward the basket, in contrast to high post players, who usually face the basket. Before receiving the ball, a low post player should establish their position slightly above or directly on the low post block and raise a hand in the air as a target. This positioning allows them to seal their defender and receive the pass, setting up various offensive moves.
One essential skill for low post players is footwork. They should get low and wide, maintaining a strong, balanced stance to absorb contact and hold their ground. This stance helps them stay strong with the ball and facilitates specific moves like the drop step, which creates space for a layup by leveraging the defender's position. Another critical move is the baby hook, which creates space for a quality shot using a wide stance and a turn.
Defending the low post is crucial in basketball. It is not limited to the tallest players, and all team members must be skilled in its fundamentals. Defenders should play with agility and quickness, pressuring passers and denying passing lanes. The low post double team is a tactic where the offensive low post player faces simultaneous pressure from the primary defender and a secondary defender, forcing them to pass or create a scoring opportunity for a teammate.
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The high post
A high post offense is a strategy that involves using a high post player who can gain possession of the basketball and create scoring opportunities near the basket or in the perimeter areas. During a high post offense, players typically occupy other perimeter-oriented spaces on the court, such as the top, wings, slots, and corners. This offensive strategy has been a staple since the game's invention due to its simplicity and effectiveness. It offers scoring chances for all five players on the court, preventing the defense from focusing on just one or two offensive players.
The UCLA High Post Offense, made famous by the University of California, Los Angeles, and their coach John Wooden, is a popular variation of the high post offense. It is known for its flexibility in utilising the strengths of most players on the floor. This offense is designed to benefit from a centre with good passing, shooting, and one-on-one skills out of the high post, but it can also leverage the abilities of guards and forwards. The UCLA High Post Offense is often run with a two-guard front, allowing the offense to initiate from either side of the court and giving both guards the chance to run the side-post game.
High post splits, which are fundamental to the high post offense, involve one of the guards hitting the high post and splitting it. The guard making the pass cuts first, followed by the other guard cutting tightly off the first guard's moving screen. The high post player then has the option to feed either guard. This offensive strategy aims to create scoring opportunities by utilising quick basket cuts and back cuts against any defensive overplay.
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Post players
To be a great post player, you need to have excellent footwork and be comfortable with your back to the basket. You also need to be able to pivot, spin, and perform drop steps. You should be able to read what the offense is doing and position yourself correctly, establishing a defensive position so that the offensive player has to make a tough finish over you.
On offense, post players can increase their team's chance of scoring by focusing on the fundamentals of the position. Knowing your location on the court is key, and you should understand your distance from the basket before catching the ball to determine which post move to use. If you receive the ball near the hoop, you can utilize the jump hook for a quick scoring opportunity.
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Post-ups
Offensive players will position themselves in the post area, usually the low post, to receive a pass. They will face away from the basket and make eye contact with the point guard or passer. Once they receive the ball, they can pivot, back down a defender, spin, fake out, or power dribble to create scoring opportunities. They can go for a layup, up-and-under shot, slam dunk, jump shot, fadeaway, or hook shot. The post is also where most rebounds occur, so players must be ready to rush in and rebound.
When posting up, it's important to be physical and use your weight to scrap it out with opponents. It's best to get to the lower block before the point guard passes the half-court line to beat the defender. The closer you are to the basket, the better, as it makes shooting easier. However, you must remember the 3-second rule: if you stand in the paint for more than 3 seconds, you may be called for an offensive foul.
To improve your post-up game, it's crucial to understand your strengths and perfect the post moves that suit you best. For example, if you're strong and like to 'bully' in the low post, focus on backing your defender into the low post and finishing with a jump hook. Additionally, being able to score with both hands will give you a wider range of scoring options and allow you to use different fakes.
While posting up is less common in the modern game, it is still an effective strategy when used by players with the right skills and techniques.
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Post moves
Drop Step
This simple low post move can be highly effective but requires a careful reading of the opponent’s feet. After receiving the ball in the low post, dribble to get close to your defender. If you are already being closely defended when you receive the ball, make sure to do a jump stop so that either foot can be your pivot foot. Then, with your feet close to the defender’s feet, do a drop step, wrapping your foot around the leg and foot of the defender. This move will allow you to pivot around the defender, sealing them off from the basket and using your body to guard the basketball, so you can make a clean shot.
Baseline Fake and Step Through
In this move, the shot is taken with a layup, not a jump shot. First, receive the ball in a low, wide stance. Then, shoulder fake to the outside before pivoting toward the baseline. Next, give a shot fake and power dribble toward the centre of the post, setting up as if you were going to perform a jump shot.
Quick Spin
This spin move is a great way to get around your defender. It’s especially useful if the defender is covering you closely, and you can use it as a counter move if the defenders are expecting a different offense. This move can be done immediately after receiving the pass. Whichever side has a higher likelihood of success, do a quick spin in the direction of the basket. If you need to dribble, you can do so, but if you are close enough you can take the shot right away. The key is to take advantage of your post defender’s proximity to quickly spin around their weaker side and score.
Dream Shake
This technique is a great way to mix up your defender. Receive the pass in a low, wide stance, shimmy your shoulders to one side, then pivot all the way around to face the basket.
Jump Hook
This is a simple, effective, and common post move that can be used by any player. The best time to use this post move is when the basketball is deep in the paint. After you’ve caught the ball inside or backed your opponent down, simply turn sideways to the basket (right or left), bring the ball up, and then flick your wrist to put the basketball in the hoop. Catch the basketball on the left block in a low, wide stance. With your back to the basket, give a quick ball and shoulder fake to the right before taking one or two dribbles towards the middle.
Baseline Jump Shot
After receiving the basketball, the player makes a quick shoulder fake, then takes a step and pivots in the other direction, often toward the baseline. Then the player jumps and shoots. The combination of the fake out with the pivot is often enough to give the shooter time and space to make a clean jump shot.
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Frequently asked questions
The post is an area of the basketball court, usually painted a solid colour, that extends from the free-throw line to the baseline.
There are three types of posts: low-post, mid-post, and high-post. The low-post is the area closest to the basket. The high-post is the area farthest from the basket, near the free-throw line. The mid-post is less strictly defined and is generally farther from the basket.
Posting up is when an offensive player moves into the post area, usually the low post, to receive a pass. From this position, they can create scoring opportunities through various moves such as pivoting, spinning, or dribbling.
The power forwards and centres are the players who typically post up. These players are usually taller and have a height advantage, which is advantageous in the post area.
