Q: I have a talented guard who is my best post player and my best point guard. What are some situations where I get him into the post? Could I have him stay in the post on a Laker cut or Pass & Cut? If so, what about spacing – if there is already a post player, where would he go? We just finished a team camp and had a chance to run the system; we made it to the semis with only 3 layers!! I sleep much better because of you.

A: On a Laker cut, in a 4 OUT formation, your best player can post up on the other side of the lane – opposite the post with the ball.

Try this: If the post passes back outside, then he must immediately screen for your best player – just cross-screen.

If it’s 3 OUT formation and your best player feeds the post, I suggest that the other post player vacates the post – fill out to an empty spot on the perimeter and allow your best player to post up.

Try this: Your best player feeds the post from the wing and makes an X-cut. Your opposite post sprints to the high post in order to screen for your best player. This becomes a screen-the-screener action for your best player. It also empties the weak-side post from any help defender. This is an illustration of the freedom that you have with your post players. All they MUST do is react correctly to dribble penetration. Otherwise, it’s difficult to screw up the R&R with whatever actions you give your post players.

Also, tell your best player that he should become an expert in every screening action in the R&R. If he cuts, then he should screen for a post player while he’s in the lane. If he’s filling out to the perimeter, then he should try to back-screen as much as possible. Being the best player, the defense will not want to switch on screens that involve him.

You can tell the rest of the team that they should look to screen for your best player every time he passes the ball or any time a cutter is in his area.

Here’s what I mean: If your best player is on the perimeter and passes and cuts, anyone in the post should be stepping out to back-screen his man the moment the pass is made. If your best player is in the post, then basket cutters should look to screen for him before they leave the lane. And of course if your best player is on the perimeter, they should always back-screen for him and never simply fill out to an open spot next to him. With this kind of emphasis on screening for your best player, multiple staggered screens will occur for the best player who should know how to use them (or at least will learn how to use them)!

Add the Back-Up-Power-Dribble as a signal for a “sprint-ball-screen”. Your best player will be able to call for a ball screen any time by simply backing up with a dribble. Now, your best player can either USE a ball screen at his discretion or he can use the Power Dribble to SET the screen and be the roller who winds up inside.

Wow – your imagination is the only limit when you have an all-around skilled player. What great motivation for his teammates to improve their own skills!