It takes more than being big to play the low post in basketball. The post position requires just as much technique as running the point, playing the perimeter or playing the wing. On offense, low post skill is vital to giving your team a scoring threat inside, plus opening up opportunities for your outside shooters as well as drives to the basket for the guards.
Position matters. On offense, you ideally want to receive the ball at the middle of the edge of the free throw lane. Too far inside and your defender can cut off a good look at the basket, as well as available angles to get the ball inside. Too far outside and your best look will be a long shot, with poor prospects for an offensive rebound if you miss since you're so far from the basket. And of course, if you're in the free throw lane, you can get called for a three second violation.
Your opposing defender typically knows this, and will try to cut you off from your desired position. Beat that defender to the punch and get as close to your ideal spot as possible with a strong stance:
- Feet wide apart to ensure a strong base.
- Butt out to create space between you and the defender.
- Arm up, firm and strong if the defender overplays you to one side to ward him/her off.
- Opposite arm and hand extended in space to give your passer a clear target
- Back straight to maintain leverage when the defender challenges your position.
Solid drills can involve working on any of these aspects individually. But make sure to perfect all of them in practice until they are second nature. They are vital to successful position in the post and, subsequently, successful low post play.
1. Move towards the pass when it comes.
2. Jump stop as you receive the ball, to stop in a strong position.
3. Keep the ball head high with your elbows out. This protects the ball from the defender as you prepare for your next move.
With the ball in hand, look for the defender to either a) overplay you to one side or b) for everyone you see on defense to show weakness or an opening to one side. From here, you can either:
- Pivot and take an open shot
- Pivot and drive to the hoop
- Find an open outside shooter and feed him/her the ball.
Proper technique and positioning while playing the post gives you all these options, and helps you open up the offense as well as your own options. From this fundamentally sound base, you can practice different approaches. Allow yourself to improvise in scrimmages and non-competitive games to discover approaches and strategies that work for you.
