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Basketball is a team sport that involves five players on each team, each with a unique role. The post position is one of the most pivotal roles in the game, with the player acting as the 'last line of defence' and protecting the basket. Post players are physically positioned near the basket and are responsible for blocking shots, rebounding, and scoring on close shots. They are also required to have strong footwork and be mentally tough to effectively guard the basket and initiate contact. The post position is a challenging role that requires a unique set of skills and a strong understanding of the game.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of players on the court per team | 5 |
| Position of the post player | Center |
| Post player's role | To score, rebound, block opponents' shots, and defend the basket |
| Post player's skills | Strength, toughness, size, footwork, and finesse |
| Post player's mentality | Team-focused, willing to defend on every play, and sacrifice their body |
| Post player's impact | Pivotal to the team's success and can change the game |
| Post player's responsibilities | Run endline to endline, guard the opposing team's post player, and anchor the defense |
| Post player's challenges | Lack of recognition unless they are exceptional in certain areas |
| Post player's advantages | Able to embrace contact and be effective offensively and defensively |
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What You'll Learn
The post position's role and responsibilities
The post position in middle school basketball, also known as the center or the "5", is one of the five standard positions in a basketball team, along with the point guard, shooting guard, small forward, and power forward. The center is typically the tallest player on the team, playing near the basket.
Role and Responsibilities
The post position plays a pivotal role in the team's success. They are often the last line of defense, protecting the basket, and are expected to be physically strong and tough, willing to sacrifice their body to defend on every play and make up for their teammates' shortcomings. They are also expected to be good shot-blockers and rebounders.
On offense, the post position should focus on scoring close to the basket, either through layups, dunks, or through footwork and finesse moves like the "dream shake". They should aim to get into a good position before the ball arrives, using strategies such as finding open gaps in the zone, getting below the zone, and sealing defenders.
Additionally, post players should be mentally tough, embracing physical contact and playing in a balanced position. They should also be able to run endline to endline, even if they don't often receive the ball, and be able to switch between offensive and defensive roles quickly.
While the post position may not receive much recognition unless they are exceptional in certain areas, they are crucial to the team's performance. They directly affect the team's success, and their presence creates balance within the offense.
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Strategies for getting open
Basketball is a contact sport, and post players will often find themselves being pushed, elbowed, and slapped by their opponents. Learning to embrace this contact and play in a balanced position will help you be more effective on the court.
- Find the open gaps in the zone: Against a 2-3 zone, find the gap between the top and low defenders, usually about two-thirds of the way up the lane. Against a 1-2-2 zone, find the vertical seams.
- Get below the zone: Move along the baseline to lose sight of your defenders, then "duck-into" the paint at the right moment.
- Use the short corner: When playing against a 2-3 zone, it is difficult to post up on the low block due to the three low defenders. Move out to the short corner instead.
- Cut early or cut late: Avoid making cuts as the zone is shifting. Instead, cut just before or just after the defense rotates.
- Seal the middle defender: When playing against a 2-3 zone, seal the middle defender before the zone shifts, then shape up to the ball.
- Rim run: Beat your defender down the middle of the floor, forcing the defense to either give up a layup/dunk or an open shot to wing players running to the 3-point line.
- Bury your defender: Use footwork to get around a box-out and put yourself in a position where the only way for your defender to stop you from scoring is to foul you.
- Use fakes and pivots: Catch the basketball in a low, wide stance with your back to the basket, then use a quick ball and shoulder fake before taking a few dribbles towards the middle. Pivot and finish with a layup.
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How to be mentally tough
In basketball, the post position is one of the five positions on the court, each with distinct roles and responsibilities. The post position is also known as the center or the "5" position. It is a physically demanding position that requires players to be comfortable with contact and have strong defensive skills.
To excel in the post position and become a great basketball player overall, mental toughness is key. Here are some ways to develop mental toughness:
Focus on the Task at Hand
Mentally tough players are able to lock in and focus on the present moment, blocking out any distractions or negative thoughts. This includes treating pressure situations like any other moment and embracing the pressure. They are able to stay confident in their abilities and maintain self-belief, which helps them to perform at their best, even in challenging scenarios.
Learn from Mistakes
Making mistakes is inevitable in basketball, and mentally tough players understand that compounding a mistake by dwelling on it will only hurt the team. They quickly move on from errors and turnovers, using their frustration as motivation to improve on the next play. Mentally tough players also recognize the value of learning from their mistakes and are willing to adjust and try new things to improve their performance.
Be Comfortable with Adversity
Basketball games and seasons will inevitably present challenging situations, adversity, and discomfort. Mentally tough players are able to embrace these challenges and thrive through them. They refuse to give in or fall apart mentally, even when facing strong adversity, and they do not let negative circumstances affect their performance.
Play with Confidence
Great players understand that their teammates look to them for leadership, and mentally tough players are able to remain confident in themselves and their teammates, regardless of the situation. This confidence inspires trust and strengthens the bond between players, helping the team to fight through tough times and perform at their best.
Additional Tips:
- Learn to embrace contact and play with physicality, especially when going for rebounds.
- Develop a variety of skills to become a versatile player who can score, rebound, handle the ball, and pass effectively.
- Understand the importance of your role and how it directly affects the team's success, even if it may not always be recognized or appreciated by others.
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Footwork and finesse
One key aspect of footwork for post players is the ability to move without the ball. Post players should be adept at finding open gaps in the defence, using footwork to get into scoring positions, and then quickly receiving the ball to take the shot. This involves a constant dance of movement, always seeking the best position to receive a pass and get a clear shot at the basket.
Another important footwork skill is the ability to pivot. Post players should be comfortable using both feet as a pivot, allowing them to quickly change directions and create space between themselves and their defenders. This skill is particularly useful when combined with good passing from teammates, who can pass away from the defender, allowing the post player to pivot and create a better scoring opportunity.
The "dream shake" move, popularised by NBA great Hakeem Olajuwon, is an excellent example of combining footwork and finesse. This move involves a series of head and shoulder fakes to get the defender off-balance, followed by a quick spin and a jump shot or layup. The "swim move" is another useful technique to avoid being boxed out by a defender and creates more scoring opportunities.
Post players also need to be physically strong and tough, as they will often be guarding the basket and sacrificing their bodies to block shots or take charges. This physicality is a key aspect of the position, and players must be comfortable with the contact inherent to the game.
In summary, footwork and finesse are crucial for post players in middle school basketball. By mastering these skills, players can create scoring opportunities, improve their positioning, and become more well-rounded and effective contributors to their team's success.
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The impact of post players on the game
The post position in basketball is a unique and pivotal role, with a significant impact on the game. While all five positions on the court can influence the outcome, the post position has the potential to change the game's dynamics like no other.
The post position is physically demanding, requiring strength, toughness, and size. Post players need to be comfortable with contact and must be mentally tough, as they will be pushed, elbowed, and slapped. Embracing this physicality will help post players be more effective, both offensively and defensively. They must also be agile and quick, able to run from endline to endline, and willing to defend on every play. Post players are often the last line of defence, protecting the basket, and their height makes them invaluable for blocking shots and rebounding.
On the offensive end, post players can be dominant forces. They can create high-percentage scoring opportunities for themselves and their teammates. By positioning themselves deep in the post, they can draw fouls, create open shots for their teammates, or score themselves. The presence of a post player who can score in the low post adds balance to the offense. Post players with good footwork and finesse can master moves like the drop step and pivot to further enhance their scoring ability.
The impact of post players extends beyond the court. Their presence has influenced the rules of the game. For example, the widening of the foul lane from 6 to 12 feet was a result of the play of Bill Russell, a dominating post player.
In conclusion, the post position in basketball is a crucial role that requires a unique skill set and physical attributes. Post players have a significant impact on the game, affecting both offensive and defensive strategies. Their presence can change the dynamics of the game and even influence the rules. While the role may not always receive the recognition it deserves, it is essential to a team's success.
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Frequently asked questions
The post position is one of the five main basketball positions, along with point guard, shooting guard, small forward, and power forward. Post players are usually physically bigger than other players and play near the basket.
Post players are often the last line of defence and are responsible for protecting the basket. They need to be physically strong and tough, as they will be pushed, elbowed, and slapped by other players. They also need to be quick and agile, with good footwork, and be able to score points.
Post players should learn to embrace contact and be strong with the ball. They should also look to find open gaps in the zone and get below the zone along the baseline to "duck into" the paint. They can also use the short corner to post up.
The post position is unique in that it requires a different set of physical attributes and skills compared to other positions. Post players need to be tall and physically dominant, with good shot-blocking and rebounding abilities. They also need to be mentally tough and willing to sacrifice their body to protect the basket.
Some notable post players include Shaquille O'Neal, Wilt Chamberlain, and Lew Alcindor (Kareem Abdul-Jabbar). Other examples of power forwards, who can also play the post position, include Giannis Antetokounmpo, Dirk Nowitzki, and Tim Duncan.
