Ayrton Oneill
Post play in basketball is an important aspect of the game, with post players often being the last line of defence and key to scoring opportunities. The low post is an area of the basketball court near the basket, where low post players position themselves during offensive execution against a defensive team. Post players need to have great footwork, be adept at performing pivots, and be able to read the game and react to their teammates and defenders. They should also be physically strong and tough, with a good understanding of how to apply contact without committing fouls. Post players can use a variety of moves, including pivots, spin moves, up-and-unders, and jump hooks, to create scoring opportunities for themselves or their teammates.
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What You'll Learn
Footwork and positioning
Players should also be mindful of their positioning on the court. When playing in the post, positioning is crucial, and players should aim to be quick, aggressive, and have multiple offensive options. One strategy is to only allow the defender to play in one direction, either keeping them low or high. Perimeter players should pass away from the defence, pivoting with the pass. For instance, if the post player is in the right post and the defender is low, the perimeter player should pass to the post player's right hand, allowing the post player to pivot and open up to the middle.
Another strategy is to take your defender away from the hoop, where they are less comfortable, and then shoot a medium-range jumper. If the defender comes out to defend, you can then shot fake and drive to the hoop for a lay-up. When receiving the ball, low post players should position themselves slightly above or directly on the low post block, with their back to the basket, and raise a hand as a target.
Additionally, post players should be conscious of rebounding the basketball. Depending on the opponent's position, different techniques can be used. If they are in front, you can try to ride them under the basket to limit their rebounding angle, or use a spin move to get in front. If they are behind, you can meet them with your forearm and drive them backward with your box out.
Finally, post players should focus on skills they can control, such as embracing contact and pressure. Contact should be initiated with the lower half of the body to avoid fouls, and players should use their body as a tool.
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Offensive and defensive strategies
Offensive Strategies:
- Creating scoring opportunities: Offensive tactics aim to create chances for shots and maximize scoring efficiency. This involves ball movement, spacing, screening, shooting, penetration, and transition play.
- Exploit weaknesses: The offense should look to exploit any defensive weaknesses, find open shots, and capitalize on mismatches. For example, if there is a size disadvantage, use speed and quickness to create mismatches, or use perimeter shooting to draw out bigger defenders.
- Pick-and-roll: One of the most fundamental offensive tactics. A player sets a screen (pick) for a teammate with the ball, who then uses the screen to drive to the basket or create space for a jump shot. This frees up the ball-handler and also presents another scoring option with the roller.
- Motion offense: This strategy emphasizes constant player and ball movement to create scoring chances. It requires high basketball IQ, good decision-making, and effective communication to capitalize on defensive mistakes.
- Triangle offense: A well-known strategy involving a triangle formation on the court. It emphasizes ball and player movement and reading the defense to create scoring opportunities. It provides a structured framework for players to exploit mismatches and create open shots.
- Princeton offense: A complex system that emphasizes teamwork, player movement, and backdoor cuts. It involves constant motion, screens, and off-ball actions to create confusion and exploit defensive breakdowns.
- Fast break: This strategy involves quickly transitioning from defense to offense after gaining possession of the ball. It can be used to catch the defense off-guard and create scoring chances.
- Post-up: Utilizing a taller or stronger player near the basket to score or draw defensive attention. The post-up player can use their size and skill to score or pass to open teammates.
- Footwork: Great footwork is essential for post players. Teach players to pivot and shoot with either foot to increase their options and effectiveness.
Defensive Strategies:
- Man-to-man defense: A common defensive tactic where each defender is responsible for guarding a specific opponent. This can be combined with zone defense to pressure a dominant player, known as "box-and-one defense."
- Zone defense: This strategy focuses on defending specific areas of the court rather than individual players. Teams can counteract zone defenses by moving the ball quickly, using perimeter shooting, and attacking gaps with dribble penetration.
- Help defense: Defenders work collectively to disrupt the opposing team's offense, protect the basket, and secure possession of the ball.
- Rebounding: A critical aspect of defense is rebounding the basketball. Learn different rebounding techniques to gain possession, such as riding your opponent under the basket or using spin moves to get in front of them.
- Contesting shots: As a defender, you must learn to contest shots without fouling. Proper positioning is key to making the offensive player's finish more challenging.
- Communication: Effective communication is vital for a strong defense. Communicating with teammates can help you read the offense's movements and adjust your defense accordingly.
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Common post moves
A post move in basketball is when a guard throws the ball to a player near the basket, who then executes a series of moves to score a basket. Footwork is one of the most important skills for a post player, as it allows them to pivot and change directions quickly.
- The Dream Shake: This move is a series of head and shoulder fakes used by Hakeem Olajuwon of the Houston Rockets. It is an advanced-level move that combines several other moves, such as the spin and up-and-under. The player catches the ball in the low post with their back to the basket and both feet on the floor, allowing them to pivot and choose a direction to move towards the basket.
- Power Dribble and Jump-Hook: The post player fakes to the baseline and then uses their strength to power dribble into the lane, faking a jump-hook. With the defender in the air, the player spins back to the baseline and finishes with a lay-up.
- Straight Power Move: If a player has a significant physical advantage over their defender, they can use their strength to back their defender down towards the basket. This is done by using a few power dribbles and driving straight through the defender to the rim.
- Basic Power Moves: If a player has a significant size advantage over their defender, they can use basic power moves to score. However, if the defender has an athletic advantage, the player may need to employ fakes and misdirection to score.
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The role of the post player
A post player must be willing to engage in physical play, battling for position under the basket and not shying away from contact. They need to be agile and quick on their feet, able to pivot and counter effectively to create scoring opportunities for themselves and their teammates. Good footwork is essential, allowing post players to be assertive and aggressive, with a range of offensive options.
Communication is also vital for post players. As the last line of defence, they must be able to read the game, communicate with teammates, and position themselves effectively to either contest a shot or take a charge. Post players need to be aware of their rebounding responsibilities, both offensively and defensively, and be willing to sacrifice their body to protect the basket.
Setting screens and creating space for teammates are important aspects of the role. By setting good screens, post players can create scoring opportunities for themselves and others, as defenders are drawn to help the player being screened. This allows the post player to roll, slip, or pop for a mid-range shot.
Overall, the post player's role is crucial to the team's success, requiring a combination of physical attributes, instincts, and skills such as footwork, communication, and rebounding. It is a demanding position that requires players to be adaptable, assertive, and willing to engage in physical play to create scoring opportunities and protect the basket.
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Drills and practice
Footwork is an essential skill for post players, and one that is often under-taught. Players should be adept at performing pivots on either foot, and coaches can teach offensive moves based on these pivots. For example, a right-foot inside pivot jump shot, or a "Sikma Shot", as it is commonly known. Players can also be taught to "Sikma" inside, "Step Out" on the perimeter, and "Reverse Pivot" to box out.
Another drill that can be used to practice footwork is to stand near the low post with your back to the hoop. Your partner should be positioned near the top of the key. They will then pass you the ball. After you catch it, take a few quick dribbles, pivot to face the goal, and shoot a fade-away shot. Repeat this process until you've made 10 successful shots, but remember to alternate your positions in the post to gain experience shooting from different angles.
A further drill to practice involves starting with your back to the basket and both feet on the floor. Make a head or shoulder fake to get the defender leaning, and then quickly spin (front pivot) and take a fade-away jump shot or a step to the hoop and lay-up. This is known as the "dream shake", and is an advanced move that requires lots of practice.
To practice finishing with a layup, start by having your opponent stand under the basket with the ball. You will then stand at the free-throw line. Your opponent will pass you the ball, and you will attempt to drive to the hoop and score a layup. Your opponent should provide live defense as if you were in a real game. Repeat this drill until you make 10 layups, but alternate your approach and angle to the basket with each attempt.
A drill to practice post play involves the two post players going for the rebound. The player who rebounds makes a quick outlet pass out to a coach on the wing, and then immediately re-posts, receives the pass back, makes a post move, and tries to score. This teaches players to pass back outside and then re-post, rather than forcing up a bad, contested shot inside.
Finally, a drill to practice positioning and movement is to start at the low block, pop out to the short corner, receive the pass from the wing, and shoot the jump shot. Do this on both sides. Then, do the same drill, but this time the post player makes a shot fake and a quick baseline dribble move for the lay-up.
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Frequently asked questions
A post shot is a shot taken from the post, or low post, an area of the basketball court near the basket and below the free-throw line. Post players are inside operators with the main objective of being a force within the key.
Post moves include pivots, spin moves, up-and-unders, and jump hooks. A pivot is a fundamental move where players turn with one foot planted as an axis. A spin move is when a player fakes to the baseline and then makes a power dribble into the lane, faking a jump hook. An up-and-under is when a player gets the ball in the post, makes a right-foot front pivot, and finds their jumper defended, so they counter by stepping through with the right foot and taking a layup. A jump hook is when a player receives the ball with their back to the hoop, pivots so their body is perpendicular to the basket, jumps off both feet, and releases the ball from their fingertips.
Footwork is one of the most important skills for a post player. Players should be adept at performing pivots on either foot and with either hand. Post players should also be good communicators with their teammates, as this can be invaluable to the team's defense. They should also be aware of their positioning on the court and use their body to position against the defense.
