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The low post in basketball refers to the area of the court near the basket. It is typically located outside the paint but still close to the baseline, around the low block—the small painted rectangles adjacent to the lane lines on either side of the paint. Low post players usually position themselves with their backs to the basket, and their primary goal is to score near the basket. They must learn to embrace the contact that comes with playing near the basket and develop a strong, balanced stance to effectively utilize their position for scoring opportunities.
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What You'll Learn
The low post is near the basket
The low post is an area on a basketball court that is near the basket. It is adjacent to a border of the key or the paint, also known as a lane line, and below the free-throw line. The low post blocks are usually filled rectangles that are adjacent to the lane lines. These rectangles signify the general location of the low post areas and are used as a reference point for players to position themselves near the basket during offensive execution against a defensive team.
Low post players should position themselves outside of the lane lines and above or at the same level as the low post block when their back is to the basket. This is particularly important when being guarded by a low post defender. The low post is also referred to as a post entry pass, and it involves a perimeter player in possession of the ball passing it to a low post player for potential scoring opportunities near the basket.
The low post is an important position in basketball, and young players aspiring to play this position must get used to having a wide and low stance to withstand the inevitable bumps and pushing that occurs under and around the basket. They must also learn to embrace the physicality of the game, as post players will often get pushed, elbowed, and slapped.
Additionally, low post players should practice weak-hand post moves and work on their deception when trying to get open, varying their speed and direction to become more effective on the court.
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Low post players' positioning
The low post is an area on a basketball court near the basket, specifically adjacent to a border of the key or paint (known as a lane line) and below the free throw line. Low post players, typically the tallest players on the floor, usually position themselves outside of the lane lines, above or at the same level as the low post block, with their backs to the basket. This positioning is particularly important when guarded by a low post defender.
Before receiving the ball, a low post player should position themselves slightly above or directly on the low post block and raise one hand to indicate where they should receive the ball. The perimeter player with the ball will then throw it to the low post player, usually via an air pass.
If the low post player receives the ball above or at the same level as the low post block, they can execute a variety of low post moves towards the middle near the paint or towards the baseline of the court. However, if they receive the ball below the low post block, they will likely find themselves behind the basket or in a sub-optimal area.
Low post players can receive the ball from a perimeter player via a lob pass over the defender's head and then score with a layup or dunk. A low post defender will typically position themselves between the offensive low post player and the perimeter player with the ball, extending an arm into the passing lane to block the pass.
While low post players traditionally dominated scoring, today, guards have taken over as the dominant position, with most points coming from long-range shots and dribble penetration. However, low post players still play a crucial role in creating balance within an offense, especially if they possess strong footwork and can execute moves like drop steps and pivots.
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Feeding the low post
The low post is an area on the basketball court near the basket. It is adjacent to the key or paint's border, known as the lane line, and below the free throw line. The low post blocks are the filled rectangles on the court, which indicate the general location of the low post areas. Low post players use these blocks as a reference for positioning themselves near the basket when playing against a defensive team.
To execute a successful feed to the low post, the low post player should first establish their position. They should be slightly above or directly on the low post block, with their back towards the basket. They should also raise one hand in the air to indicate that they are ready to receive the ball. Once the low post player has signalled, the perimeter player can throw the ball, typically with an air pass.
After receiving the ball, the low post player can attempt to score using low post moves near the basket. This may involve cutting across the lane to the left side low post block and then scoring near the rim. The 3 out 2 in motion offense is a strategy that can be employed to create multiple scoring opportunities through set plays and offensive actions.
It is important for young players to learn to embrace contact and play with balance. They should also be proactive in seeking out the ball rather than solely relying on their teammates to pass to them.
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Offensive strategies
Feeding the Low Post: This strategy involves a perimeter player passing the ball to a low post player, who is positioned near the basket with their back to it. This creates a potential scoring opportunity for the low post player. Prior to receiving the pass, the low post player should establish a position slightly above or directly on the low post block and raise a hand to indicate the target for the pass.
3 Out 2 In Motion Offense: This offensive strategy aims to generate multiple scoring chances through set plays and offensive actions. It utilises basketball screens, cuts, continuity patterns, and pick-and-roll options. This approach creates a dynamic and versatile offence, providing opportunities for various players to score.
4 Out 1 In Motion Offense: This strategy focuses on creating scoring opportunities through basketball cuts, screens, and dribble drive action. It emphasises player movement and ball handling to create openings for shots.
The Box Offense: This offensive setup uses quick-hitting set plays and various basketball screens to create scoring chances near the basket or from the perimeter. This strategy is particularly effective for showcasing the skills of the team's best players.
The Hawk Offense: Also known as the Hawk set, this strategy utilises high post action and a stack alignment. It is a unique approach that can catch the defence off guard and create advantageous scoring opportunities.
Princeton Offense: This strategy emphasises fundamental skills like cutting, dribbling, passing, screening, and shooting. It also incorporates three distinct series of actions called Chin, Low, and Point to create scoring opportunities near the basket or from longer ranges.
Stack Offense: This strategy starts with a stack formation, creating multiple scoring options for the team's best players through various basketball screens.
High/Low Offensive System: This system incorporates multiple plays that work together to create scoring opportunities. It includes actions like stagger cuts and weakside post help removal, providing a creative coach with a versatile toolkit to adapt to different situations and players.
These offensive strategies provide a framework for teams to design their plays and maximise their scoring potential, particularly when utilising the low post area effectively.
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Low post moves
The low post in basketball is an area near the basket, just outside the paint and below the free-throw line. Low post players typically position themselves with their backs to the basket, and their primary role is to score near the basket.
The Drop Step
The drop step is a simple yet effective move that requires good timing and reading of the defender's position. To execute this move, the player must first get the defender to commit to one side. They then extend their foot backward while dribbling and use their body to shield the ball. If timed correctly, the defender will be forced to go over the player's back, resulting in a foul.
The Up and Under
This move is a counter to the jump hook. After making a few hook shots, the player fakes a jump hook, steps through, and finishes with an open layup while the defender is still in the air.
Spin Move in the Paint
In this move, the low post player with the ball fakes to the baseline, then dribbles into the lane and fakes a jump-hook. With the defender in the air, the player spins back to the baseline and finishes with a lay-up.
The Fadeaway
An advanced move used by Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant, the fadeaway involves creating separation from the defender by jumping away from the hoop and taking an open jump shot. This move requires strength, precision in judging shot distance, and body control.
Basic Post Move
This fundamental move involves catching the basketball on the left block in a low, wide stance with your back to the basket. You then fake to one side with a quick ball and shoulder movement before dribbling towards the middle. From this position, you can either shoot or fake a shot to get the defender in the air and then step through for a layup.
Mastering these low post moves can significantly improve a player's scoring ability near the basket and add variety to their offensive arsenal.
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Frequently asked questions
The low post is an area of the basketball court near the basket. It is usually the area of the paint closest to the basket and can extend outside the paint, but it generally refers to the area around the baseline and the low block.
The high post is the area surrounding one edge of the free throw line to the other edge. High post players usually start with their faces towards the basket, while low post players start with their backs to the basket.
A post-up refers to when a player attempts to pin their defender behind them in the low- or mid-post, either with or without the ball.
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. They should also learn to embrace contact, as it increases their chances of being effective offensively and defensively.
Young players should get used to having a wide, low stance. They should also practice with their weak hand and push through the struggles of missing shots.
