This is the exciting beginning of one of the most IMPORTANT player development times that exits during the year –SUMMER!  Players all want to excel in December and January, especially in February and they REALLY want to excel in March during the play-offs.  NOW is the time to prepare for those opportunities!  The first portion of this article lists items that a good post player should be able to do and should indicate quite a few areas for important work.  The second part outlines those skills needed to dominate as a wing player.  Waiting until September is not good, waiting until October simply will not get it done - those months must be used by the coaches to get “team building” aspects of the game sharper to begin the season.  The empty or semi-empty gym must become the Laboratory of Success for the aspiring player that truly wants to improve.  Try new moves, strengthen weaknesses, make strengths stronger…summer is the time!

A Good Post Player

· Has the ability to get open to receive an entry pass (to begin offense).
· Understands the different post areas on the floor- Low post, Medium
post, Pinch post, High post, High-Middle post, Release post, Step-Out post, Short Corner.
· Gets to the open spot to receive pass when a teammate is using dribble penetration.
· Has a complete grasp, complete understanding and willing to demonstrate consistently, the REBOUND SEQUENCE: - Read the shot/Go to the glass/Chase the ball/Be relentless in pursuit of the ball.
· Is able to identify and help rescue a ball-handling teammate that is being double-teamed or is having ball possession difficulty.
· Is willing to and knows how to pick effectively:  block-to-block, block-to-elbow, back pick, up pick and down pick.
· KNOWS HOW TO POST UP in this order:
1)   Position self above the block.
2)   Plant his butt into the defensive man & maintain that contact.
3)   Maintain a Straight Line -> From the RIM – Through his HEAD – To the BALL.
4)   Give passer a GOOD target by holding one hand up and directing pass.
· Knows from where to expect lob pass and when a lob should not be attempted. No lobs from wing or corner (too much backside help).
· Is willing to go low to catch purposely passed low entry.
· Has the ability to see the open man and GET THE BALL TO THE OPEN MAN!
· Must be ACTIVE!
· Knows that any dribble in the paint is a POWER DRIBBLE! 
· MASTERS THESE MOVES:  Power Drop Step, Power Dribble & Up, Up & Under, Sikma, Jump Hook, Elbow Jumper, Short Corner Jumper, 1 Dribble Short Drive.
· Communicates with teammates verbally and or physically to indicate where and how to pass or where to go for return pass.

This portion of the article points out areas of importance or things that a good wing player should be able to do, consistently, and who does not want to be a wing/perimeter player?  Post guys want to play outside, point guards want to “move over” to display their athleticism and creativity – everyone wants to be a wing.  Major work on minute details must be accomplished and now is the time to spend on those details.

A Good Wing Player

OFFENSIVELY:
· Has the ability to get open to receive entry pass.
· Is able to make the perimeter or interior entry pass.
· Is able to shoot off a dribble drive, off a screen, or penetrate and pull up for jump shot.
· RUNS to fill the lane on the break.
· Is able to rebound consistently on the offensive boards.
· Masters the moves necessary to be a productive player in the post area.
· Is able to consistently make the 12’-18’ jump shot.
· MUST be a good baseline/short corner shooter.
· Has the ability to initiate contact around the basket, score & draw the foul for three point play.
· Must be able to make EXPLOSIVE dribble drives (1-3 dribbles) left and right to the basket.
· Must have strength to make good POWER moves around the basket off the dribble, off the catch, and especially on the break.
· Has the strength to protect the ball if possession draws a lot of defensive attention.
· Has the ability to recognize when and where to go help in press break. (ALWAYS look to break to the middle of the floor.)
· Knows how, when, and where to move without the ball to get open: quick v-cut out to wing – flash to wing – flash to post - cut to basket – Screen a teammate.
· Develops ability to read the defense to see holes, cracks, or open areas to fill in order to be a constant offensive threat.
· MUST BE ABLE TO GET TO THE PAINT, with the ball, ANY TIME YOU WANT TO!

DEFENSIVELY:
· Is equally adept at playing deny post defense and guarding on the perimeter.
· Is aware of help (defense) responsibilities.
· SEES the BALL / SEES the MAN!
· IS WILLING TO TAKE THE CHARGE!
· Knows when to block the shot and knows when to change the shot.
· Is a good, ACTIVE defensive rebounder – limits opponent to one shot.
· Has the ability to take the Flash post move away and make the player cut behind you.
· VERY DIFFICULT:  Has the ability to deny wing pass (or opponent’s entry pass) and still be alert enough to recognize and cut off backdoor pass.
· Recognizes and allows an entry pass when pass takes opposition out of scoring area or pass goes to an area of the floor where the offense has few options.
· Recognizes HELP responsibility when playing wing defense and ball goes to post.  Is ready to drop and double post or guard the hole and not lose sight of the man you are guarding.
· Is a GOOD, STRONG, ACTIVE , ALERT, weak-side (off-side) rebounder.
· Is able to stop opponent’s attempt to make the baseline dribble drive.
· Knows how to guard the hole.

These are the pieces that I look for in a player’s game.  Find those points where you struggle and spend the time developing them this summer.  If not, your weaknesses this year will still be your weaknesses next year.