Doubling Down in the Post
By Shane Dreiling
What advantages are there to doubling down in the post?
- It forces your opponent to do something that they either haven’t practiced at all or practiced only sporadically.
- It is difficult to prepare for in only a couple of days.
- It takes post players out of their game. They become a passer rather than a scorer.
- This makes it an athletic game. Forces tempo.
- It takes opponents out of their set offense.
- The ball usually ends up in the wrong player’s hands.
- It is hard to scout and evaluate.
- The players love it.
- It keeps your big man out of trouble.
- It develops players’ thinking ability.
What does doubling down allow a team to do defensively?
- You can become very aggressive on defense.
- It creates proper angles and no splits.
- Trap the ball high causing chaos.
- Enables the defense to prevent the post player from turning his shoulder in the paint.
- Take the charge when post players lower his shoulders.
- Proper block-out and rebound from inside position.
- Force post to reverse pivot while pressing into him.
- Take away scoring threat.
Who can I choose to double down in the post?
- High opposite
- Designate a player
- Post