Amanda Knapp
The high post and low post are specific areas on a basketball court. The low post is near the basket, below the free-throw line, and adjacent to the lane line. The high post is the area surrounding the free-throw line, between the free-throw line and the three-point line. These positions offer ample scoring opportunities, and players can perform layups, jump shots, or slam dunks. The post is also where most rebounds occur, so players must be ready to rebound the ball. Defending the post is crucial in basketball, and all players must be prepared to defend post-ups and deny passes.
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What You'll Learn
High and low post areas
The high and low post areas in basketball are crucial for offensive and defensive plays. The low post is an area on the basketball court near the basket, below the free-throw line, and adjacent to the lane lines. It is a high-percentage shot zone, ideal for layups, dunks, and hook shots. Low post players usually position themselves with their backs to the basket and are guarded by a low post defender. Feeding the low post involves a perimeter player passing the ball to the low post player for scoring opportunities.
The high post is the area surrounding the free-throw line and the area between the free-throw line and the three-point line. It is used in offensive strategies to create scoring chances near the basket or the perimeter. High post players typically start with their faces towards the basket. High post plays can involve a handoff or screens to create scoring chances.
Both high and low post positions offer ample scoring opportunities. Players can execute layups, jump shots, or slam dunks. The post is also a key area for rebounds, and players must be prepared to rebound the ball. Defending the post is crucial, and all players, regardless of size, must be able to defend post-ups. Post defense is a team effort, requiring pressure on passers and strong backside support.
The low post is a priority for offenses, as it provides high-percentage shots and second-chance opportunities. On defense, low post players block shots, stay physical, and box out to prevent second-chance points. The high and low post areas are essential for creating scoring chances and executing defensive strategies in basketball.
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Offensive plays
The low post is an area on the basketball court near the basket, below the free-throw line. Offensive players in this position usually have their backs to the basket and are looking to receive the ball from a perimeter player. Once they have the ball, they can attempt a layup, dunk, or hook shot, which are high-percentage shots.
The high post is the area surrounding the free-throw line and the area between the free-throw line and the top of the three-point line. Offensive players in this position usually have their faces toward the basket. They can either pass the ball to a low post player for a potential score or use other offensive actions like handoffs or screens to create scoring opportunities near the basket or around the perimeter.
- The 3 out 2 in motion offense: This strategy creates multiple scoring opportunities through set plays and offensive actions such as basketball screens, cuts, continuity patterns, and pick-and-roll options.
- The 4 out 1 in motion offense: This strategy creates scoring opportunities through sequences such as basketball cuts, screens, and dribble-drive action.
- The Hawk offense: This strategy utilizes high post action, stack alignment, and various basketball screens to create scoring opportunities from the perimeter or near the basket for one or more offensive players.
- The Princeton offense: This strategy utilizes fundamental skills like cutting, dribbling, passing, screening, and shooting, along with unique series of actions called Chin, Low, and Point to create scoring chances near the basket or from the perimeter.
- The Stack offense: This strategy begins with a stack formation and includes various basketball screens to produce multiple scoring options for the team's best players.
- The Box offense: This strategy utilizes quick-hitting set plays and various basketball screens to create scoring opportunities near the basket or from the perimeter, especially for the team's best players.
- The Horns offensive set: This play includes a wide pin-down screen and curl cut, among other actions. It starts with 1 at the top, 2 and 3 filling the corners, and 4 and 5 occupying the high post elbow areas. 4 receives the ball from 1, then 2 executes a curl cut to the basket and may receive the ball from 4 for a high-percentage field goal.
- The 1-4 high offensive set: This play features a handoff and other actions from the 1-4 set. It starts with 1 at the top, 2 and 3 on the wings, and 4 and 5 filling the high post elbows. 5 receives the ball from 1, then 1 follows the pass and looks to receive the ball back from 5 via a handoff. If 1 regains possession, they can dribble toward the basket for a high-percentage layup.
- A simple low post play: This play includes a wing post entry pass and a high-low option for a potential score near the basket. It starts with 2 cutting toward the right side wing to receive the ball from 1, then 1 cuts to the left side corner while 3 fills the left side wing, and 4 cuts to the top. 5 may then receive the ball from 2 and score near the basket. If 5 is unable to receive the ball, 4 can receive it from 2, and then 5 can duck into the lane to receive it from 4 and score.
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Defensive plays
There are three basic post areas to defend: the low post, medium post, and high post. When defending the post, it is essential to beat the offensive player to the spot on the floor, forcing them to adjust their setup. Agility and quickness are more important than strength in post defence, and all players, regardless of size, must be prepared to defend post-ups.
The defender guarding the passer must exert the utmost pressure, and the off-ball defenders must provide strong back-side support. Defenders should pressure all passers so they are unable to make a good post feed. When guarding a high post, the defender should assume an aggressive pass denial position on the ball side. When a high post sets an on-ball screen, the defence can use one of seven different techniques to counter it.
When playing behind the post, push off the block and away from the basket. A defensive post must deny all post passes and force the opponent to set up outside their normal operating area. If the offensive post likes to set up high, force them low.
The low post front, also known as fronting the post, is a defensive tactic used to deny an easy post entry pass to a highly skilled offensive low-post player. The low post double team is another tactic, where the low-post offensive player receives defensive pressure from two defenders.
The high-low offensive strategy can be countered by the defence collapsing on the low post, leaving perimeter shooters open, or staying spread, allowing one-on-one opportunities for the post player.
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Scoring opportunities
The low post and high post positions in basketball offer a variety of scoring opportunities for players. The low post is an area on the basketball court near the basket, below the free-throw line, where players can position themselves to score through layups, dunks, and hook shots. Feeding the low post involves a perimeter player passing the ball to a low post player, creating a potential scoring opportunity. To receive the ball, the low post player should position themselves slightly above or directly on the low post block and raise a hand as a target.
The high post is the area surrounding the free-throw line and the area between the free-throw line and the three-point line. High post offenses aim to create scoring opportunities through handoffs, screens, and other offensive actions. The high post play involves a handoff, where the player at the top (1) passes to the player at the right side high post elbow (5), who then performs a dribble handoff with the player at the right side wing (3). If the player at the top (1) regains possession, they can attack the rim by dribbling towards the basket and scoring a layup.
The 3 out 2 in motion offense is a strategy that creates multiple scoring opportunities through set plays and offensive actions such as cuts, screens, and pick-and-roll options. The box offense is another strategy that utilizes quick-hitting set plays and screens to create scoring opportunities near the basket or from the perimeter.
Additionally, players can utilize post moves to create space and scoring opportunities. For example, when a player receives the ball in the low post, they can dribble or back down towards the middle of the basket. If the defender blocks this move, they can quickly change direction and spin in the opposite direction, creating space for layups or dunks.
Understanding the opponent's tendencies and exploiting their weaknesses is crucial for creating scoring opportunities. For instance, if an opponent tends to play behind the post, pushing off the block and moving away from the basket can create scoring chances.
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Player positions
Unlike sports such as football, baseball, and soccer, the rules of basketball do not define any specific player positions. The five traditional basketball player positions are part of a team's overall strategy. Many players today are interchangeable or can play multiple positions.
The five traditional basketball player positions are:
Point Guard
The point guard is the team leader and play-caller on the basketball court. They need good ball-handling skills, passing skills, and strong leadership and decision-making skills.
Shooting Guard
The shooting guard in basketball has the main responsibility of making long outside shots, including three-pointers. The shooting guard should also be a good passer and able to help the point guard with ball-handling. Shooting guards are often the top scorer on a team. They must also be able to defend against their opponents, which requires good footwork and the ability to stay in front of their player.
Small Forward
The small forward is often the most versatile player on the basketball team. They should be able to help with ball-handling, make outside shots, and get rebounds. The combination of height and quickness allows them to defend a number of positions and take on the best scorer on the opposing team.
Power Forward
The power forward on a basketball team is usually responsible for rebounding and some scoring in the paint. A power forward should be big and strong and able to clear out space under the basket. Many great power forwards in the game today do not score a lot of points but lead their team in rebounds. Power forwards are often good shot blockers as well.
Center
The center is usually the biggest or tallest member of the basketball team. In the NBA, many centers are 7 feet tall or taller. The center can be a big scorer and is responsible for playing near the basket on both offense and defense. On offense, the center tries to score on close shots and rebound misses, while on defense, they try to block shots and grab rebounds.
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Frequently asked questions
The high post is a specific area on the basketball court that begins from one edge of the free throw line to the other edge, including the area between the free throw line and the top of the three-point line. It is considered part of the post and is on both sides of the basket, but it is further away from the basket than the low post.
The low post is an area of the basketball court that is near the basket, adjacent to a border of the key or paint known as a lane line, and below the border of the free throw line. It is near the exterior of the paint, slightly above the basket.
High post players will typically begin with their face towards the basket, while low post players will usually start with their backs toward the basket. Low post players should try to position themselves outside of the lane lines or slightly above the low post block when their back is to the basket.
