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A Dose of My Post

Posted in New Posts, News on February 7th, 2011 by Troy Miles

Post play isn’t just for the the “Bigs”. It’s for any player who finds himself or herself at a certain location on the floor.  The ideal spot  for post position is just above the box, 45 degrees from the basket.

This area allows access to the basket on either side of the defender (potentially), without concern for a three seconds violation. Equally important, this angle also preserves access to the backboard in either direction. Backboard use in the post area creates a myriad of scoring opportunities and will increase your overall effectiveness around the basket.

Naturally, any smart defender will fight to keep you out of these prime areas. In fact, most will attempt to move you to a spot further away from the basket and work to deny you the ball. Your job is to create a safe passing route to receive the ball- at whichever post position. It helps to start your assault (to post position) lower than where you expect to receive the ball.

Once there, be adamant in your desire to receive the ball. Sometimes that’s what it takes to prompt your teammate to deliver the pass (with certainty).

Make a target (usually hand high) opposite of the defender’s pressure. If the defender stays on the top-side, “seal” him until the ball passes over his head. Once it passes his head, you’ll be able to retrieve the ball.

To help solidify your position, “Chair” (sit down against the defender) with a wide stance and locate him with “chin-to-shoulder” vision, just as the ball arrives.  This does 3 things: (1) Seals the defender and negates any attempt  to poke or steal an entry pass away.  (2)  Puts you ahead of the defender’s next response and (3) allows you (because of the early awareness of the circumstance) to take advantage of the offensive opportunity.

If you find the defender playing directly behind you, quickly inside-pivot (with the ball high or low) and square-up to the defender. If you decide to square-up “high”, start to move your hands up through the shooting zone as you complete your pivot. This will force a response from the defender. If he lunges forward to defend the shot, then you should be able to slip past him.  If the defender stays home (still) then you should be able to shoot  up over the top of her.

In a “low”, quick square-up scenario, you should be able to threaten to go by, get by or  ultimately create space to shoot. If you find the defender on either side of you, fake a spin in that same direction, and quick-spin (against the defender) the other way.  Be sure to pivot with the foot on the same side as the spin. To spin to the right (of the defender), use your right foot. This enables you to pivot quickly , maintain body contact (leverage) the entire spin, plus reestablish vision as quickly.  Body contact solidifies your advantage and quick-vision affords you time (perceptively)  to make adjustments-if necessary.

Other Post maneuvers:

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“Drop-steps” have their place in the post. However, quick square-ups and quick-spins don’t require you to be physically dominate to be consistently successful.  Half-spins and hook-shots are a dangerous combination-regardless of your size.  I can’t understand why more players haven’t worked to make it an offensive staple.  Even half-hooks are tough to deal with.  A  little opposite shoulder work to shield the defender, a lot of touch and you’ll be putting up numbers in the post as if in a Dream.

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