By Larry Dean Jackson
http://www.geocities.com/ljacksonesc5/acoach.html
SEVEN REASONS POST PLAY IS IMPORTANT
1) Post shoots higher percentage shots.
2) Post draw more fouls on the opponent.
3) Post can get more ”Three Point Plays"
4) Post can foul out opponents.
5) Post can put pressure on the opponent’s team
defense.
6) Good post play opens up more and better outside
shots.
7) With a post attack close games are more easily
won.
MENTAL APPROACH TO POST PLAY
POST PLAYERS MUST:
1) Be aggressive.
2) Love contact.
3) Want the basketball.
4) Want to score every time they get the ball.
5) Communicate.
6) Be strong and ”play strong.”
7) Be in great condition.
8) Be good to great free throw shooters.
9) Be hard workers.
10) Play without fear.
11) Utilize quickness and fakes properly.
12) Pass out of double teams to the proper player.
BASELINE THEORY
THE BASELINE THEORY IS THE LOGICAL ORDER OF POST SHOTS.
1) The power lay-up (drop-step).
2) The baseline backboard “bank” shot.
3) The lane jump shot.
4) Advanced post moves.
Low percentage shots to be avoided:
1) The cross-under the basket lay-up.
2) The baseline jumper with no backboard.
3) The fall-away jump shot.
IMPORTANT POINTS IN LOW POST PLAY
1) Teammates must always look to get the ball inside. “Inside-Out” theory -
offense always looks to score inside first. When the defense jams the inside
then outside shots will be open and easier to make.
2) Post must always “look” to score every time they get the ball inside.
3) Post must be able to read the defense and perform the appropriate move
and/or shot or pass.
4) The use of the dribble is dangerous in the low post and should be used
with discretion. Only one dribble is allowed and it must be a hard two-handed
dribble and catch.
5) Post players must practice game post shots daily.
PRINCIPLES OF LOW POST PLAY
Too often coaches concentrate on post moves and not the principles that lead
to successful post play.
1) Fight for position but do not waste movement. Do not give up position
unless to take advantage of the defense. We want our low post to line up above
the block - splitting the second and third free throw lane spaces.
2) Keep the knees bent - make yourself a “wide” target - DO NOT stand up
straight. We want the lower body low - the feet wider than the shoulders - and
the upper body up - the post should show his numbers to the passer and give an
aggressive target, he should present the picture of a post that wants the ball.
3) Leverage Is Vital! Leverage is gained by foot and body movement and
contact. Footwork is one of the hardest things to teach because it is not
natural. Toes and shoulders should be pointed at the ball. Sit on the
defender’s thigh - the post’s center of gravity is thereby lower than the
defender’s and this makes the post stronger. If the defender steps around in
front of the post’s foot, the post should step over the top of the defender’s
foot. If the defender attempts to go behind the post, the post keeps the
defender behind by using short choppy steps with his arms in an “L”, keeping
his toes pointed toward the ball and maintaining contact with the defender. It
is important for the post to get at the defender’s feet, have firm arm bars in
the shape of an “L” thereby creating space for the pass.
4) Create as much space for the pass as possible:
A) If the defense is on the baseline side, set up lower to create more space
for the pass on the high side - KEEP CONTACT WITH THE DEFENSE!
B) If the defense is on the (top) high side, set up higher to create more
space for the pass on the baseline side - KEEP CONTACT WITH THE DEFENSE!
C) If the defense is behind, set up at the edge of the lane above the block
to set up a situation where you can go either way. ATTEMPT TO MAINTAIN CONTACT
WITH THE DEFENSE!
D) If the defense fronts with the ball at the wing, set up as far from the
lane as possible within four feet of the lane to create more space for the lob
pass.
If the defense fronts with the ball at the guard spot, set up as high as
possible up to the fourth free throw lane space, to create more space for the
lob pass. KEEP CONTACT WITH THE DEFENSE!
5) Prevent or inhibit movement by the defense by keeping contact with the
defender. This is called ‘pinning” the defense. The post must get at the
defender’s legs; he cannot allow the defender to get at the pass.
6) Give a ”Two-Hand Target” and protect the target area by effective use of
the body.
7) Don’t release the defender from your rear too soon when the defender is
playing behind. Release after the ball has been passed and is nearly to you
depending on the speed of the pass and the position of the defender. Nothing
frustrates a coach or a passer more than for the post to be posted up strong
and then on the pass have the defender step around the post and get a hand on
the ball. If the post has position he should not let the defender around him.
He must fight with his feet to win the ‘foot-war”, using short choppy steps to
maintain his “pin” until releasing to catch the ball at the proper time. the
post uses the same techniques as if blocking out for a defensive rebound.
8) “BUST IN” when you are side-fronted by a defender’s arm. KNOCK the
defender’s arm away by raising BOTH arms (hands) toward the ball and stepping
over the defender’s top foot. Knock the defender’s arm away from below.
9) “HIP-AND-ROLL” when fronted. On the lob pass maintain contact with the
fronting defender with your hip. See the ball. Put BOTH hands in the air as a
target. Let the pass be thrown. As the passed ball is DIRECTLY above the
fronting defender’s head give the fronting defender a slight nudge with your
hip “as you start your jump to catch the ball with two hands.”
FIND THE DEFENSE
As the post begins to post up it is important to find the position of the
defense. The post needs to find the defense in order to set the defense up for
a score or to make the appropriate move. The post must use his elbows (“L”) and
rear to make himself as big (WIDE) as possible.
The post can use his eyes, elbows (“L”), and rear to find the defense. The
elbows and rear are used to “PIN” the defense in place. By keeping the elbows
at shoulder level at right angles (“L”) the defense can force the defense to
stay behind him. The elbows will make the defender go out and around him if the
defender attempts to front or deny him the ball. When in a good low post stance
the post must use his feet to keep the defense behind him as well. In his book
“Basketball Post Play”, Pete Newell says, “Foot positioning skills are often
the most identifiable traits of outstanding basketball players.” In a good low
(WIDE) stance the low post player can use his rear to find the defense, hold
him in position (sit on his leg) and “PIN” him for an easy score.
THREE MOVES TO GET OPEN IN THE LOW POST
THE FACE MOVE:
The face move is helpful to our post men in getting open. Instead of
immediately posting and attempting to pin his defensive man, the post will face
his defender. He is then is a position to spin in either direction and pin his
man. We have found that this move tends to freeze the defensive player and
prevents him from immediately denying the post pass.
THE SLIP MOVE:
The post is fighting the ‘foot-war” but the defender gets around in front.
The post “Slips” - or steps-through and pins creating a new passing angle. If
the ball is at the wing and the defender moves from the high side to front, the
post steps-through with his bottom foot. If the defender moves from the low
side to front, the post step-through with his top foot. This is a counter move
to ever which way the defender is fighting to get around the post.
COME BACK MOVE:
In this move the post leaves the low post area as if he is going to cross
the lane to the opposite low post area them comes back on his defender opposite
of the way the defender is playing him.
REVERSE PIVOT AND PIN
When the ball is at the guard spot and the low post is fronted and the lob
pass is not there, the guard passes to the high post (or second guard) and we
use the “reverse pivot and pin.” The low post will quickly drop his bottom foot
and swing it completely around squared to the high post (this is a reverse
pivot on the top foot). The inside hand will drop and the elbow will be placed
in the middle of the defender’s back. At the same time the outside hand will
drop and be extended and become the target hand (this is the only time we will
use just one hand as the target) with the palm facing the high post.
THE 'JUST DO IT' POST PLAYER
After spending countless hours teaching the fundamentals of low post play
you will have a post player that does everything wrong but he is successful and
scores. A lot of the time this will be your best player. This is O.K. This is a
“Natural” post player. Don’t attempt to change the things he consistently gets
good results from - just be thankful that you have this player. However, you
must still teach this player all the low post fundamentals in practice drills
along with your other low post players. You could very well add to his game and
he will be twice as tough to defend. But you must teach low post fundamentals
to all your low post players (as well as to all players) because some players
will never develop these low post fundamentals on their own. These are the
players who appear to be mechanical in the low post, yet they can still get the
job done successfully.
HAND POSITION
It is very important to keep the hands free of contact in order to catch the
pass into the low post. The post must hold (PIN) the defense in position and at
the same time give a good “two-hand target” to teammates.
RECEIVING THE PASS IN THE LOW POST
1) The post should face his teammate that has the ball, unless fronted.
2) Give a “two-hand target” and be ready for quick passes.
3) Move in the direction of the pass at the proper time.
4) Come to a “jump stop” after the catch, with good body balance.
5) Catch the ball “firmly” with two hands before attempting a move or shot.
6) Perform the following in order and quickly. Not rushed, but quickly and
never skip a step. Post players cannot make up their minds of what they are
going to do when they get the ball before they get the ball. The defense will
dictate the move - read the defense.
A) Catch and chin the ball.
B) Immediately look over the baseline shoulder - read the defense.
C) Make shot, move or pass.
We assume that players know how to catch the ball. This is wrong. Most
passes are missed because of improper hand position. The fingers should never
be pointed at the ball. If the pass is high, the fingers are up. If the pass is
low, the fingers are down. We have a “BAD PASS” receiving drill that we do with
all players. Players stand twelve feet from their partner and throw all kinds
of bad passes to each other. Basically, catching the ball involves a block and tuck
technique. The palms should be facing the ball. Block the ball with the palm of
your hands and then bring it in and tuck it. Don’t short arm the ball. Catch
the ball away from your body. Then bring the ball in under your chin (tuck -
“chin the ball”) with the elbows out. If a post catches the ball next to his
body, the defender will get a hand on it. Another important point is you must
“catch the ball with your eyes.” The post must look the ball into his hands.
Many post players will miss the pass because they will begin their move before
they receive the ball.
The hands define the post player. “He has good hands” is a very high
compliment for any post player. Catching may be the most under-rated skill in
post play. Any pass that hits the post’s hands should be caught. This is an
area that every player can improve on and particularly the post player. A post
player may have the greatest moves in the world but if he cannot catch the ball
they will do him no good.
PASSING TO THE LOW POST
1) Always look inside first! “Inside-Out Theory” / if the post is open HE
GETS THE BALL!!!
2) Pass away from the defensive post player.
3) Never force a pass to the post, but never pass up an opportunity to pass
inside to the post.
4) Fake low - make air pass.
5) Fake high - make bounce pass.
6) Don’t attempt fancy passes.
7) Pass TO THE POST - not to a spot and expect the post to go and get it.
8) Before making the lob pass check the backside for defenders.
9) On ALL lob passes “shoot” (drop) the ball into the post’s back target
hand. Make sure to pass high enough so the fronting defender cannot jump and
deflect or intercept.
It is very important to prepare the other players to work with the post
players. The game is divided into two types of players - the perimeter players
and the post players. Or as a friend of mine says, “post players and players
who pass the ball to post players.”
You must sell the perimeter players on the importance of post players. You
must teach perimeter players on how to read post defenders. Eighty percent of
the turnovers in basketball are the result of passes. This is primarily because
players do not read the defense.
You must teach the perimeter players HOW to pass to the post, how to pass
away from the defense, how to pass to the post player and not to a spot and how
to read the post player’s target. Also teach the how to read their defender
(the man guarding the passer). Teach by progression. Teach nothing new until
what has been taught has been learned and mastered.
It must be stressed that a large portion of success of reading the defense
comes from experience and playing against different defenses. These situations
must become part of the daily practice organization so that the keys to be read
can be pointed out and proper adjustments learned and executed. Practice
segments must be set aside to work against various defenses.
The reading keys can become troublesome if a defensive team changes defenses
several times during a game. However, once the techniques are mastered,
understood and practiced against a variety of defensive situations, they
changes really do not have an effect on your ability to pass to the post.
Defenses are designed to stop certain things but cannot stop an entire
offensive attack. After players learn how to read the defense we are able to
attack areas and/or locations that the defense leaves open.
When a perimeter player is attempting to pass the ball into the post, he
must freeze the defense. A good pass fake will do this. Anytime you want to
stabilize the defense, a good pass fake will do it.
THE POWER BOX
When the post makes a baseline power dribble for a power shot we want him to
go to the POWER BOX. The POWER BOX is in the lane directly in front of the side
of the backboard - the area of the backboard without the rim on the side - and
about one and a half from the backboard. If he drives to the basket and thinks
about going to the basket, many times he will go to near the baseline or get
into a position where he will have to shoot an exposed shot. From the POWER BOX
he can shoot a protected shot. And you cannot score against a good team after
you cross the line of the basket. The good teams will be there with offside
help. The post should drive to the POWER BOX without crossing the line of the
basket and point his feet (toes) toward the baseline. If his feet (toes) are
not pointed toward the baseline he has opened himself up and has lost the
protected shot.
PROBABILITY
Basketball is a game of success and failure. Players try to improve the
balance between the two and essentially are concerned with increasing the
probability of success in all the actions they take. Also, they must be
concerned with decreasing the probability of success in their opponent’s
actions. Once the ball goes into the low post player, if the post can encourage
the defender to make an aggressive attempt to block the shot, then the
probability of a foul being committed will be high. So, the post shoots in such
a way as to maximize the joint probabilities of scoring and being fouled. Not
only does he stand a chance of scoring a field goal, or of getting two free
throws if he misses but also of scoring a field goal with the opportunity of a
free throw - “The Three Point PLAY.” Plus the added bonus of placing his
opponent into foul trouble. Basketball consists of predicting one’s opponent’s
actions sufficiently to encourage him to commit himself to a probability of
failure.
DEVELOPING THE YOUNG AWKWARD POST PLAYER
You don’t have to be tall to play the game of basketball, but every coach should
learn to develop the tall young players in his program. The tall player who can
move, play aggressive defense, is coordinated, has agility and mobility and
know how to operate in the low post is a gem in any offensive system. Often
these tall youngsters seem to develop at a slower pace than their smaller more
active teammates. As a result some coaches either drop them from the program or
push them to the side in order to work more with their more agile teammates.
However, more and more coaches are realizing how important it is to give
these tall-uncoordinated youngsters the opportunity and time to develop.
Coaches are realizing that if these youngsters want to improve and really want
to play, they can indeed become a diamond for their team. This helps these
youngsters to develop the poise and confidence they so desperately need. And
for the coach it could give his program a real ‘force’ in the post position.
There is no easy way or magic formula for developing these young players. The
only way is by hard work with proper guidance followed by hard work, followed
by more hard work. Another important ingredient is patience, by the coach as
well as the player. Often times it must be the coach who instills this patience
in the player to keep them from becoming discouraged. The coach must show a
real interest in the player and motivate him in every positive way possible.
But the actual hard work must come from the player spending the extra time on
his own development. The coach just needs to show that he cares. One true
statement is, “players don’t care what a coach knows, until they know he
cares.”
One certain program will not work to develop every young tall awkward
player. These youngsters need individualized workouts tailor made for them that
they can use year round. Some items that could go into the workout are:
1) jumping rope,
2) ball handling drills,
3) stretching drills,
4) all types of jumping drills,
5) tipping drills,
6) weight training,
7) a running program - both short and long distance,
8) all types of agility and quick foot movement drills,
9) free throw shooting drills, and
10) post shooting and moves.
Others could be added but the most important thing is it must be tailor made
for each individual youngster. It is important when planning a program that the
coach does not give the player so much to do that he is over-whelmed and loses
interest. The activities should be fun and challenging while at the same time
requiring the player to work hard. These activities should be set up in such a
way that the youngster can see results and realize that they are improving,
thus, motivating them to work harder.
The coach should encourage the youngster to play in pick up games during the
summer against older and more experienced players. Emphasizing that playing
against older, bigger, smarter, etc. players will only help improve their own
playing ability.
Most important the coach must take an interest, motivate, be positive,
encourage, verbally acknowledge improvement, praise hard work, correct and lead
the youngster on his quest for improvement.
LOW POST MOVES AND DRILLS
All low post moves that we teach are based on our “Baseline Theory.” The
post lines up above the block, on the line of deployment (a straight line
between the ball and the basket), gives a two hand target, meets the pass with
a two hand catch, chins the ball and checks the defense over his baseline
shoulder.
WHY THE “BASELINE THEORY”?
We feel our answer is very simple. We check baseline first because if the
baseline is open we want to take it immediately for the power lay-up. We feel
if we check the middle first we lose a lot a baseline power lay-up
opportunities and this is the highest percentage shot a low post player can
get. Also, no help is coming from the baseline - it may be coming from the
backside but not from the baseline - so even if help is coming from the
backside and we turn baseline we can still successfully get off the baseline
backboard “bank” shot - the second highest percentage shot that a low post
player can get. Third, if we can turn baseline for the baseline backboard
“bank” shot it doesn’t really matter if help is coming from the topside.
All our pivots on making our moves are front pivots. We do not teach the
Jack Sikma inside (or reverse) pivot unless a post has mastered all the
fundamental moves and is an advanced player. We also emphasize using the
backboard on shots whenever possible, especially if there is going to be
contact on the shot.
In our low post drills, we practice all the moves on both sides of the
basket. We generally use three man drills to practice the moves. A passer
(positioned at the guard or wing spots), an offensive low post player and a
defensive low post player.
There are four phases to these three man drills:
1) 1 on 1 Shadow - no pressure by defense,
2) 1 on 1 Three-Quarter - defense plays one-half to three-quarter speed,
3) 1 on 1 Live Instructed - defense plays top speed, defense is instructed
how to defend and offensive post is instructed on what move to use, and
4) 1 on 1 Live - defense can play any way the wish and offensive post player
makes the appropriate move.
We practice the moves using our four phases system and incorporate the six
items below at various times. We feel these aid us a great deal in teaching
offensive low post play.
1) The Big Ball (BB)
2) a HeavyTrainer Ball (HT)
3) a Tennis Racket - so the post player has to shoot over the racket (TR)
4) a football hand held dummy - to teach players to take the ball up strong,
they are bumped with the dummy as they shoot (SH)
5) a 15-Inch Goal (15)
6) an Arch-Developer (AD)
The items we use when working on which moves are indicated by (BB), (HT),
(TR), (SH), (15), and (AD). These items may be used individually or in
combination during drill work.
THE THREE BASIC LOW POST MOVES
THE DROP STEP POWER LAY-UP
After looking over the baseline shoulder, the low post “steps over the
defender’s leg - making contact” and makes a hard six inch two hand dribble and
catch directly below the crotch. As this is happening he is bringing his top
leg into the POWER BOX, leading the way with his body. He plants on two feet
and then takes the ball up strong using the backboard to score. We then use the
pump fake after we have arrived at the POWER BOX. With the pump fake we emphasize
pumping the head and showing the ball head high. ***IMPORTANT: while keeping
the feet FLAT on the floor; we actually want the post flat-footed at the
instant of the fake to avoid the traveling violation. We tell them when the
ball goes up your rear goes down. (BB), (HT), (AD), (SH), (15)
THE BASELINE BANK SHOT
As the post looks over his baseline shoulder he sees the defender playing
off and between himself and the basket. The post then front pivots on his
bottom foot and squares up to the backboard. Then shoots a jump shot off the
backboard - a bank shot. We execute this in a quick re-read technique, where
the post player pivots and then makes a second visual read of the defense and
then shoots. This re-read is not a slow deliberate read but a quick re-read. We
also emphasize a quick pivot and a quick release with a high follow through on
the shot. (BB), (AD), (15), (TR)
THE LANE JUMPER
As the post looks over his baseline shoulder he sees the defender up close
on the baseline side. He then front pivots on his top foot and squares up to
the basket and executes a jump shot. Again, we use the quick pivot, quick
re-read and quick release and high follow through. (BB), (AD), (15), (TR)
ADVANCED LOW POST MOVES
THE BASELINE JUMP HOOK
As the post looks over his baseline shoulder, he sees the defender is on the
baseline side and playing slightly off of the post player. The post makes a
half (front) pivot off his bottom foot and squaring the line of his shoulders
to the basket (the line should be / outside shoulder - inside shoulder -
basket). He will then raise the ball with both hands straight up and snap his
wrist of the shooting hand toward the basket for the shot. Releasing the guide
hand at the last second. Keeping his shoulders in line with the basket as much
as possible. We also add the use of the backboard for a bank shot. Everything
is the same except the line of the shoulders, this is now: outside shoulder -
inside shoulder - backboard. To teach the jump hook with the weak hand a good
lead up drill is the Mikan drill. (BB), (AD), (TR), (15), (HT), (SH)
THE LANE DRIVE JUMP HOOK
As the post looks over the baseline shoulder he sees the defender tight on
the baseline side. He will drop step into the lane using the same six-inch
dribble technique he used on the Drop Step Baseline Power Lay-Up. His bottom
foot is his pivot foot and he steps with his top foot directly across the lane
as much as possible. After he completes his dribble he will square the line of
his shoulders to the basket and shoot the jump hook as described above. (BB),
(AD), (TR), (15), (HT), (SH)
THE BASELINE UP AND UNDER
As the post looks over his baseline shoulder he sees the defender on the
baseline side back to the basket. The post front pivots on his bottom foot and
squares up to the basket. As he squares up he re-reads the defense moving
toward him quickly. The post will then give a pump fake - it is not necessary
for the defender to jump, if he only raises up on his toes you have him. As the
defender raises, the post steps “over the defender’s top leg”, making contact,
executes his six inch power dribble, squares to the basket for a jump shot or
squares the line of his shoulders to the basket for a jump hook. We then teach
The Baseline Up and Under with no dribble, the post shoots a hook shot/lay-up
over the front of the rim. (BB), (AD), (TR), (15)
THE LANE UP AND UNDER
As the post looks over his baseline shoulder he sees the defender tight on
the baseline side. The post then pivots (front) on his top foot and squares to
the basket. As he squares up he re-reads the defender moving toward him
quickly. The post will pump fake and as the defender raises, the post will step
“over the defender’s outside leg”, making contact, executes his six-inch power
dribble and shoots a power lay-up. We then teach The Lane Up and Under with no
dribble, the post now shoots a lay-up. Next we add the pump fake after the post
has executed his power dribble. (BB), (HT), (AD), (15), (SH)
THE DROP STEP LANE POWER LAY-UP
On this move the post is sometimes below the block because he gave up
position to take advantage of the defense playing on the baseline side - the
post player took the defender lower. The defender will usually be on the side
instead of off a little on the baseline side. Now the post player does not need
to check over his baseline shoulder as he can feel the defensive man because of
his PIN on the baseline side. The post pivots on his bottom foot and steps to
the basket with his top foot, executing his six inch power dribble, and
squaring up to the basket in the POWER BOX. He will then shoot a power lay-up.
Next we will add the pump fake after the post has reached the POWER BOX. (BB),
(HT), (AD), (15), (SH)
THE HOOK SHOT
On this move the post can again feel the defender with his body on the baseline
side yet he is not as far around as when he executed The Drop Step Lane Power
Lay-Up. The post player takes a long step with his top foot as directly across
the lane as possible. (We emphasize the LONG step. We ask our players, “If
someone offered you a ten dollar bill or a one dollar bill which would you
take? So if the defender is giving you a step make it a Long step!) The body
should be low - head down and shoulder down with the ball at the ear. The toe
of the stepping foot pointed directly across the lane opens up the hip allowing
the shoulders to turn, which is the key to shooting a good hook shot. Bring the
ball from the ear straight up to a 2 o’clock position and the off-hand at 10
o’clock - keeping both hands on the ball as long as possible. The ball should
be shot behind the head. The follow through should come across the body in
front of the shooter’s face. The hook shot is not a shot completely with the
wrist; there is some arm action in the shot. After the shot the shooter should
finish facing the basket. (BB), (AD), (15), (TR)
THE SPIN MOVE
The post has received the ball and is being leaned on (or pushed) hard in
the back. He makes a super-quick baseline read. Then spins on his bottom foot
toward the basket baseline side. Dribbling with the hand nearest the defender
to avoid the ‘hooking’ offensive foul with that arm. And shoots a power lay-up
from the POWER BOX. (BB), (AD), (15), (SH), (HT)
DIRECTIONAL CHANGE MOVES
As the post player advances we put in the directional fakes BEFORE the post
move. by directional fakes we mean the post catches the ball and fakes as if to
turn in one direction and then quickly turns back in the other direction. The
moves that the directional fakes can be added to are:
1) The Baseline Bank Shot, 2) The Lane Jumper, 3) The Baseline Jump Hook, 4)
The Lane Drive Jump Hook, 5) The Baseline Up and Under, 6) The Lane Up and
Under, and 7) The Hook Shot
ADDITIONAL DRILLS HELPFUL TO LOW POST PLAYERS
BALL POUND DRILL
Two players face each other with each holding a basketball with two hands.
One player will raise his ball above his head and pound down with his ball
hitting the other player’s ball. Then they switch roles. The object is to knock
the ball out of the other player’s hands. The player’s alternate turns as fast
as possible. This drill works on developing strong hands and the habit of
holding onto the basketball.
MIKAN DRILL
The player has his back to the free throw line and takes a step with his
left foot to the right side of the basket and shoots a right-handed lay-up. He
catches the ball before it hits the floor, takes a step with his right foot to
the left side of the basket and shoots a left-handed lay-up.
CATCH AND CHIN DRILL
We use the same formation as in our three man post move drills. To passer passes
the ball to the post, who is in proper post up position, the post aggressively
jumps to catch the ball with two hands, comes to a jump stop, then immediately
‘chins’ the ball with his elbows out and looks over his baseline shoulder to
locate the defense.
THE FACE MOVE DRILL
We use the same three-man formation as in our post drills but add a coach or
manager at the guard spot. With the passer at the wing spot. The ball starts at
the guard spot and is passed to the wing spot. On the pass the post performs
‘The Face Move’ as described earlier. Later we will add a post move to be
executed.
A FEW RANDOM POINTERS FOR POST PLAY
1) The fronted post should have both hands (arms) in the air as a target.
2) Give a two hand HUNGRY target - DEMAND the ball with your hands!
3) Catch the ball FIRST (two hands and firmly), then the move, shot or pass.
4) Only ONE dribble in the post - use two hands - dribble hard - and go
someplace.
5) USE THE BACKBOARD ON SHOTS WHENEVER POSSIBLE!
6) Remember passers help locate the defense by the location of the pass.
7) Use shot fakes.
8) Use shot fakes and all fakes wisely.
9) Quickness of shot release after catching with two hands firmly and
turning and re-reading the defense makes up for a difference in height. Be
quick but don’t hurry!
10) Flash or ‘Bust-In’ at the proper time - when a teammate is ready to
pass. It does no good to be open if the player with the ball can’t get it to
you or isn’t ready to pass.
11) Go for the Three Point PLAY!
12) You will be open (at least from your point of view) more times than you
will get the ball - be patient and continue to work to get open for a pass.
13) If your shot is blocked occasionally don’t worry! Four things will
happen when your shot is blocked.
A) the ball is recovered by one of your teammates, B) the ball goes
out-of-bounds on the defense - our ball, C) you will get fouled, and D) the
ball is recovered by an opponent. Of these four things only one of them is bad
for the offense. Also, if you use fakes wisely, your defender will be more
susceptible to the shot fake the rest of the game. Always attack the shot
blocker - attack his body, make contact. In doing this you take away his legs,
do not give the shot blocker room to gather for his jump.
14) Post players must “look to give it back first in practice and look to
score first in games.”
15) You must work with your post players individually on a daily basis. Post
players have unique problems and techniques that cannot be handled in a team
setting.