In the previous portion of this article, I broke down a post player warm up along with various drills to improve your game.  In this article, I will concentrate on those specific post moves I find most necessary and effective.

POST MOVES (10-15 minutes)

This is the “bread-and-butter” of our post workout.  This is where I get to teach the kids post moves, counter moves, and combinations to these post moves.  You must make sure that each player is paying attention to you as you explain the complex process of playing the post and making the moves that the defense is giving you.  This will ensure that each player is fully prepared to play in the post and that preparation will play a large part in the team’s overall success.

We have each player begin on the opposite block from the coach (passer) and make a move to get to the opposite block.  This must be done around the other coach/manager who is going to check the offensive player and make them work to get position on the ball-side block.  Once the player is on ball-side we like for them to keep their feet moving (rather than staying “glued” to the floor) to shield off the defender from getting in front of them.  All of these drills are done on both sides to train our players to be equally effective going right and left.

Drop-step baseline:

Move is designed for offensive post player to receive the ball and move toward the basket while the defender is on the top side.  Once the defender moves to the top-side the coach (passer) passes the ball to the offensive player for the drop-step.  Once the ball is received by the player, they “chin it,” quickly glance and see where the defender is, and if defender is on top-side, the offensive player takes one power dribble and a “drop-step” with foot closest to baseline (must be towards the basket) and goes up strong for the finish.

Drop-step middle:

Same principal as baseline move, but this is designed for a jump hook in the middle of the lane when the defender is on the bottom-side of the offensive player.  Once defender moves to the bottom-side the coach (passer) passes the ball to the offensive player for the move.  Once the ball is received by the player, they “chin it,” quickly glance and see where the defender is, and if defender is on bottom-side, the offensive player takes one power dribble and a “drop-step” with top foot into the middle of the lane (must be towards the middle of the lane not the free throw line) and goes up strong for the jump hook (right and left hand).

Drop-step shot fake (counter move for drop-step middle and baseline):

Once the defender has seen these moves, they are unlikely to fall for them again.  One way to use this same move and end with another good result is the counter move to this simple drop-step.  Once the “drop step” has been taken, a good defender will know that a shot is going up and will be waiting.  If they are a shot blocker the counter move works even better.  Take the “drop step” and instead of going up for the power lay-up or jump hook, give a ball fake and get the defender in the air.  Once the are in the air try and draw contact and go up strong and finish the shot, but with a foul, and get the basket +1.
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Up-and-under baseline:

Move is designed for jump hook in the lane or power lay-up.  If the defender is playing behind you this is a good move because the drop-step is taken away.  Once the ball is received by the player, they “chin it,” quickly glance and see where the defender is.  Once they see the defender is behind they square up to the basket.  Once “squared” they give a ball fake to get the defender in the air.  Once the defender is in the air they take a quick power dribble and step by the defender with their non-pivot foot.  Then they may go up with a jump hook or a strong power lay-up.

Up-and-under middle:

Same principal as the baseline move but this will result in a jump hook or power lay-up from the side of the lane, not the middle.  Once the ball is received by the player, they “chin it,” quickly glance and see where the defender is.  Once they see the defender is behind they square up to the basket in the middle of the lane.  Once “squared” they give a ball fake to get the defender in the air.  Once the defender is in the air they take a quick power dribble and step by the defender with their non-pivot foot.  Then they may go up with a jump hook or a strong power lay-up.

Up-and-under shot fake (counter move for the baseline and middle options):

Once the defender has seen these moves, they are unlikely to fall for them again.  One way to use this same move and end with another good result is the counter move to this simple move.  Once the “shot fake” has been made, a good defender should know that an “up-and-under” move is taking place and will be waiting.  If they are a shot blocker the counter move works even better.  Instead of going up for the power lay-up or jump hook, after the ball fake, give another ball fake, or possibly two and get the defender in the air.  Once the are in the air try and draw contact and go up strong and finish the shot, but with a foul, and get the basket +1.

Post-and-seal move:

This is another great move to have that is not at all hard to do, especially with smaller post players.  Once the ball is received by the player, they “chin it,” quickly glance and see where the defender is.  Once they see the defender is behind, they pass the ball back out to the coach (passer).  When the pass is “kicked-out” the offensive player “re-posts” and seals the defender up the lane.  This can usually be done very easily as defenders tend to relax and get out of their stance once the ball is out of their area.  Once they are upright it is even easier to seal the defender up the lane as they are stiff and high and can be moved if the offensive player is low.  Once the defender is sealed high up the lane the coach (passer) passes the ball back into the post.  The offensive player releases from the defender, receives the ball, and goes to the basket with a power lay-up.

Post-and-seal move shot-fake (counter move for the post-and-seal move):

If the defender is lazy enough to get sealed again on the same move a counter move is needed in case help comes from the opposite post player or somewhere from the weak-side.  Once the seal has taken place and the ball is in the offensive players hands, be prepared for defensive help to come toward the ball.  If help does come, a good ball-fake will work and get the help-side defender to “fly-by” the offensive player and allow for a wide open lay-up or get a basket +1.

These five post moves, along with their counter moves, are a good foundation to build upon when teaching the post game.  To have you players understand and be able to make these moves on instinct, have them do a post workout every day.  After a while call out the moves that they will do and have another coach/manager under the basket with a soft pad.  When the players go up for the basket, nudge them with the pad, or smack them on the arms.  This will help prepare them for the physical play that is involved in the post game and teach them how to score when being fouled.