Developing a Basketball Post Game
Tips to Being a Better Basketball Big Man
It seems like the back-to-the-basket game is a lost art. Yet, some of the most effective players of all time rely on technique and footwork in the key.
Having upper body strength is important for post players in basketball, but it’s not everything. Proper technique and footwork can make the small and skinny more effective than larger players given the proper methods.
Playing the post requires being able to dance the dance steps of basketball. In other words, the player needs to develop the appropriate footwork to play whatever position he or she is playing. It can be argued that a post player needs to pay attention to footwork even more than a perimeter player.
Here are important things to remember when developing your offensive post game:
- Seal your opponent – It’s crucial to know how to gain and maintain good post position. Your butt is your best weapon on the block, as odd as that might sound. Don’t be afraid to get low, bend your knees, and push your opponent out of position with your rear end. Note that does not mean to knock them down or aside, or to hit them. That might result in a foul called against you. However, if you use your behind to seal your opponent in order to maintain post position, you’ll be using proper technique.
- Give the ball thrower a target – This is something that is crucial for perimeter players to read as well. Post players must put a hand out to indicate where they want the ball thrown to. Put your hand where you’re most comfortable catching the ball. If you’d rather catch the ball high, hold it high. If you’d rather catch it low, hold it low. Just make sure it’s at an angle where the ball thrower can throw it without interception and make sure it’s away from the player guarding you.
- Learn how to pivot – Once you have the ball (and even if you don’t have the ball), as a post player, you absolutely must learn how to make an effective pivot. It does not good if you’re simply going through the motion of a pivot without effectively executing it in order to do what it was meant to do. One of the most effective post moves, and also one of the simplest to perform, is a drop step. If you have the ball on the low block and the player guarding you is on the high side (closer to the free throw line), make the foot closest to the foul line your pivot foot and take a strong step with the opposite foot directly toward the basket. In doing this, you should effectively seal your opponent on your butt behind you. There are many reasons to pivot, including to get open and to give yourself an open shot. If a post player is not comfortable with making constant pivots, he or she will be less effective.
- Keep the ball high and keep your head up – Smaller players love to bat the ball away from unsuspecting post players, especially when they bring the ball down low. Don’t let them. Keep the ball high and protected and keep your head up to find open players on the perimeter or cutting to the basket. When the ball is down low, a team’s defense is exposed, so there should be plenty of opportunities to score. Half of being an effective passer out of the post is keeping your head up and keeping your awareness high.
- Keep dribbling down to a minimum - Learn to rely on your footwork and pivots to get open and create open shots at the basket. Also, learn to trust your teammates to get open and work off of your post game. There's less room down low than there is on the perimeter, so dribbling becomes more and more difficult the closer you get to the basket.
The copyright of the article Developing a Basketball Post Game in How to Play Basketball is owned by Phil Partington. Permission to republish Developing a Basketball Post Game must be granted by the author in writing.
