Post Play: Keep It Simple
By Mark Pittman

In our program, we don't believe it's possible for a post player to learn 10 moves. We concentrate on only two to three. If a players can learn and perform these basic moves well, he can be an effective scorer off the block.

The post player should use one hand as a target for the passer; the other hand, nearest the defense, is in a position we call the elbow lock. The offensive man tries to put his elbow in the armpit of the defensive man. That is, as the defensive man plays on the side, he or she will extend one arm out to deny the pass. This is the arm the offensive player will try to lock with his elbow.

Teach your post players to step slightly to the ball when it's passed in. Standing still or backing up can allow the defense to get around and deflect the pass.

Once the player has the ball, we tell him or her to check the defense before trying to score. The offensive player must know where the defense is in order to effectively execute the move to score. This sounds simple, and is something that is taken for granted by most people. However, we've found that only the very good players will instinctively know the location of the defense. Most must check the defense.

THREE BASIC MOVES

The moves that we teach our post players are the drop step, the turn-around jumper (right and left) and the hook or jump hook, usually with the strong hand. The hook and jump hook are both practiced, with the player's less natural shot being dropped.

For variety and added effectiveness, we will add the fake and shot (fake the same way or the opposite way), the one dribble and shot and the fake, one dribble and shot. When you put all of these in, it looks like there are eight to ten different moves. Since we only teach them off the three basic moves, we've found that the players pick them up easily.

We usually work on these moves before practice and without defense. Performing these moves 15 minutes a day can make the player feel comfortable and at ease with them.

For the high-post flash and high-post moves, we teach post players how to shoot a jump shot after receiving a pass, the fake and shot and the fake, one dribble away from defender and shot.

So keep it simple! Give your players a few moves they can feel comfortable with. Once they have them down pat, get the ball to them inside and let them go! Your team will shoot higher-percentage shots and more free throws, and will have a better chance to win.