Andrew Pace
In basketball, the post position is a pivotal role, with a rich history of players like Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain, and Lew Alcindor (Kareem Abdul-Jabbar) shaping the rules of the game. Post players are inside operators, usually power forwards or centers, who play with their back to the basket. They are the last line of defense, protecting the basket, and are expected to be comfortable with contact, embracing it to force opponents into foul trouble. Post players are also key to scoring opportunities, with their positioning and ability to draw fouls being crucial. The post area, or the paint, extends from the free-throw line to the baseline, with the upper area near the free-throw line known as the high post and the area near the basket called the low post.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | The post is in the area of the basketball court from the free-throw line to the baseline. This area, usually painted a solid color, is known as the paint or the key. |
| Post positions | There are two post positions: one below the free-throw line (high post) and the other close to the basket (low post). |
| Post players | Post players are inside operators with the main objective to be a force within the key. Post players are comfortable playing with their back to the basket and are not afraid of contact. They are willing to defend on every play and sacrifice their bodies. |
| Skills | Post players should focus on skills like embracing contact and pressure. They should also be good communicators and be able to read what the offense is doing to position themselves correctly. |
| Importance | Post players are pivotal to a basketball team. They can change the game and many rules have been created as a result of post play. |
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What You'll Learn
Post players are inside operators
Post players, also known as power forwards or centers, are inside operators who play a pivotal role in basketball. They are comfortable playing with their back to the basket and are not afraid of contact. Post players are the last line of defence and are responsible for protecting the basket. They need to be able to read what the offense is doing and position themselves correctly.
Post players need to be good at rebounding and should focus on the fundamentals of the position, such as knowing their location on the court. They should also be able to use their body to initiate contact and force their opponent into foul trouble. Being tall can be an advantage for a post player, but it is not necessary. Instead, post players should focus on skills they can control, such as embracing contact and pressure.
When on offense, post players can increase their team's chance of scoring by posting up near the basket to receive a pass. They can then use a variety of moves, such as pivoting, spinning, or dribbling, to create scoring opportunities. Post players can also try to draw fouls or use their speed and agility to outmaneuver their defender.
The post area of the court, also known as the paint or the key, is where most rebounds happen, so post players need to be ready to rush in and rebound the ball. They should also include time for post plays in their team's basketball drills, such as jump shots and jump hooks.
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The post is in the key or paint area
The post position in basketball is located in the paint or key area of the basketball court, which is the area from the free-throw line to the baseline, usually painted a solid colour. Within the post, there are two positions: the high post or upper post, located near the free-throw line, and the low post, situated close to the basket.
When offensive players position themselves in the post, they are posting up. Posting up involves moving into the post area, typically the low post, to receive a pass. Once a player has posted up and received the ball, they can pivot, back down a defender, spin, fake out, or power dribble to create opportunities to score.
The post is a critical position in basketball, as it is where most rebounds occur and where players can block shots and steal the ball from offensive players, contributing to an effective defence. Post players, regardless of their height, should be comfortable playing with their back to the basket and be willing to endure contact and pressure. They play a pivotal role in the team's success, as they can change the game with their skills and dominance in the post.
As a post player, it is essential to understand your location on the court and your distance from the basket. This knowledge will enable you to determine the appropriate post moves, such as the jump hook when receiving the ball near the hoop. Additionally, post players should focus on techniques like embracing contact and using their body as a tool to force opponents into foul trouble.
Overall, the post position in basketball is a crucial area on the court, and post players must develop specific skills and strategies to excel in this position and contribute to their team's success.
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High and low post positions
In basketball, there are five players on the court per team, each assigned to different positions defined by their strategic role. The three main categories are guard, forward, and center, with the standard team featuring two guards, two forwards, and a center.
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, as well as the area between the free-throw line and the top of the three-point line. The edges of the free-throw line are typically known as the high post elbows or the elbow areas of the court. A high post offense is a strategy that emphasizes the use of a high post player to gain possession of the basketball and/or use other offensive actions such as handoffs or screens to create scoring opportunities near the basket or around perimeter areas.
High post plays can be initiated from different offensive sets, such as the Princeton offense or the Horns set. During the setup for a Horns set, player 4 receives the ball from player 1 at the left side high post elbow area. For a Princeton offense, players 1 and 2 occupy the right and left slots, respectively, while players 3 and 4 fill the right and left wings. Player 5 initially takes up space at the right side low post area, and the play begins with player 1 dribbling toward the top.
The low post, on the other hand, is an area near the basket. A low post player can receive the ball from a perimeter player, typically via an air pass, and then attempt to score using low post moves. A simple low post play can involve a wing post entry pass and a high-low option for a potential scoring opportunity near the basket.
As a post player, you are an inside operator with the main objective of being a force within the key. When on offense, you can increase your team's chances of scoring by understanding your location on the court and utilizing the appropriate post moves. For example, if you receive the ball near the hoop, you can try a jump hook for a quick scoring opportunity. Embracing contact and maintaining a strong, balanced stance are also important aspects of being an effective post player.
While playing in the post may not receive much recognition, it is crucial for the team's success. Post players must learn the necessary skills and apply them consistently to dominate the position.
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Offensive and defensive strategies
As a post player, you are an inside operator with the primary goal of being a force within the key. A post player is pivotal to a basketball team, and the game has evolved due to the play of some of the greats who occupied this position. The post is the area of the basketball court from the free-throw line to the baseline, usually painted a solid colour and known as the paint or the key. There are two post positions: one below the free-throw line, known as the high post or upper post, and the other close to the basket, known as the low post.
When on offence, a post player can increase their team's chance of scoring by understanding their location on the court. Knowing your distance from the basket before receiving the ball will help you determine which post move to use. If you receive the ball near the hoop, you can try a jump hook for a quick score. If a strong defender forces you away from the key, you can either post up and gain that space back or reverse pivot and attack the basket.
When posting up, a player moves into the post area, usually the low post, to receive a pass. From this position, they can pivot, back down a defender, spin, fake out, or power dribble to create scoring opportunities. Post players can also draw fouls, especially if they are skilled small forwards.
On defence, the post is just as important as it is on offence. Getting rebounds, blocking shots, and stealing the ball from offensive players is critical. As a post player, you are the last line of defence, so you must either contest a shot or learn how to take a charge. This involves reading what the offence is doing and positioning yourself correctly. You must also learn to contest without fouling and putting the other team on the free-throw line.
To dominate the post position, you must be willing to embrace contact and pressure. Basketball is a contact sport, and learning to use your body as a tool will make you an unstoppable post player. A general rule of thumb is to use the lower half of your body to initiate any sort of contact to avoid a personal foul.
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The importance of communication
Effective communication is a vital aspect of basketball, and this is especially true for players in the post position. The post position in basketball is an area of the court from the free-throw line to the baseline, commonly known as the paint or the key. It comprises two positions: the high post or upper post, and the low post near the basket. Offensive players often position themselves in the post, usually the low post, to receive a pass.
Communication is essential for post players to coordinate with teammates and execute effective offensive and defensive plays. They must be able to see everything on the floor and act as the last line of defense, requiring constant communication with teammates. Post players need to read the offense's movements and position themselves accordingly, establishing a defensive stance that challenges the offensive player.
Additionally, post players should be adept at drawing fouls by aggressively attempting plays, layups, or slam dunks. Communicating with teammates about their positioning and availability becomes crucial in such scenarios. The ability to efficiently convey and grasp information about openings and opportunities is pivotal for a successful offensive strategy.
Moreover, post players are often responsible for rebounding. They need to be quick and aggressive in pursuing rebounds, ensuring that even if they cannot secure the rebound themselves, their teammates have a better chance. This requires clear and constant communication with teammates about their intentions and positions.
The impact of the post position on basketball strategy cannot be overstated. Post players have the power to alter the course of a game, as evidenced by historical rule changes in the sport that were influenced by the play of notable post players. Thus, mastering the skills required for the post position, with a strong emphasis on communication, can significantly enhance a team's performance and chances of victory.
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