Doubling Down in the Post

By Shane Dreiling

What advantages are there to doubling down in the post?

1. It forces your opponent to do something that they either haven’t practiced at all or practiced only sporadically.
2. It is difficult to prepare for in only a couple of days.
3. It takes post players out of their game. They become a passer rather than a scorer.
4. This makes it an athletic game. Forces tempo.
5. It takes opponents out of their set offense.
6. The ball usually ends up in the wrong player’s hands.
7. It is hard to scout and evaluate.
8. The players love it.
9. It keeps your big man out of trouble.
10. It develops players’ thinking ability.

What does doubling down allow a team to do defensively.

1. You can become very aggressive on defense.
2. It creates proper angles and no splits.
3. Trap the ball high causing chaos.
4. Enables the defense to prevent the post player from turning his shoulder in the paint.
5. Take the charge when post players lower his shoulders.
6. Proper block-out and rebound from inside position.
7. Force post to reverse pivot while pressing into him.
8. Take away scoring threat.

Who can I choose to double down in the post?

1. High opposite
2. Designate a player
3. Post