How to low post in basketball

The Low Post in Basketball : Explanation of Basic Concepts

Table of Contents

What is the low post in basketball

The low post is an area of the basketball court that is near the basket, adjacent to a border of the key or paint known as a lane line, and below the border of the free throw line, also known as the high post elbow.

What are the low post blocks on a basketball court

The low post blocks can be typically viewed on a basketball court as filled rectangles that are adjacent to the lane lines and their primary purpose is to signify the general location of the low post areas.

From that point, a low post block can be utilized by players, specifically low post players, as a reference on where they should position themselves near the basket during offensive execution against a defensive team.

Generally speaking, low post players should try to position themselves outside of the lane lines above or at least slightly even with the low post block when their back is to the basket, particularly while being guarded by a low post defender.

If a low post player receives the ball above or at least slightly even with the low post block, then this will usually give the low post player the opportunity to execute a variety of low post moves towards the middle near the paint or towards the baseline of the court.

Conversely, if a low post player receives the ball below the low post block, then that same low post player will most likely find themselves either behind the basket or generally in a sub-optimal area near the basket.

If that occurs, this will more than likely become a boon for the defense as the low post player’s scoring options near the basket would probably be limited at best or non-existent at worst.

What is the difference between the low post and the high post

The most notable difference is that the low post is near the exterior of the paint slightly above the basket while the high post is the general area that surrounds one edge of the free throw line (i.e. the high post elbow) to the other edge.

Furthermore, most high post players will begin with their face towards the basket while most low post players will begin with their backs toward the basket.

Which defensive tactics could be used against offensive low post players

The defensive tactics known as the low post front or the double team could be used against a highly skilled offensive low post player to limit or prevent that same offensive player’s opportunities to score near the basket.

Low post front

The low post front, also referred to as fronting the post, is a defensive tactic that occurs before the low post player receives the ball and it can be used to deny an easy post entry pass.

General weakness to consider

It should be noted that the low post front could become susceptible to the post seal in which the offensive low post player executes a pivot turn to face the basket with the low post defender behind them.

Afterwards, the offensive low post player could receive the ball from a perimeter player and score near the basket.

General techniques to front the post

Generally speaking, to front the post, the low post defender will position themselves between the offensive low post player and the perimeter player with the ball.

Additionally, the low post defender will extend an arm into the passing lane between the low post offensive player and the perimeter player.

By placing a hand in the passing lane, this will typically make it much harder for the low post player to easily receive the ball.

Also, at the same time, the perimeter player with the ball would have to throw a more challenging pass over the head of the low post defender to complete the post entry pass.

Furthermore, when fronting the post, the low post defender can execute the fronting stance on the high side (towards the half court) or on the low side (towards the baseline) of the offensive low post player.

The high or low side front could be determined by the location of the ball and/or by the skill sets and vulnerabilities of the offensive low post player.

As an example, if the ball is on the right side wing and/or the offensive low post player prefers to score with their right hand, then the low post defender could establish a low side front.

In that case, the low post defender would place their left side leg and left side extended arm between the offensive low post player and the perimeter player with the ball.

When that occurs, the low post defender is essentially influencing the offensive low post player to catch the ball with their left hand and try to score from the middle area.

From there, if the offensive low post player does attempt to score from the middle, then it might be tougher for that player to score with their non-dominant hand.

Low post double team

The low post double team is a defensive tactic in which the low post offensive player will receive simultaneous defensive pressure from the primary low post defender as well as a secondary defender.

General weakness to consider

The low post double team usually occurs after the offensive low post player receives the ball and because of that, it is generally vulnerable to an offensive player without the ball being left open, at least momentarily.

From that point, the low post player with the ball could pass it to the open offensive player who can then score or make plays for other teammates.

However, it should also be noted that this particular weakness could be diminished to a degree by establishing certain defensive rotations, especially with help defense from the weak side.

General techniques to double team the low post

Generally speaking, before establishing a low post double team, the offensive low post player should first receive the ball and dribble it at least one time.

After that, a secondary defender, preferably from the weak side of the court should move towards the offensive low post player and lock their feet together with the primary defender.

This basically prevents the low post player from being able to execute an escape dribble away from the double team action.

From that point, the primary and secondary defenders should use high hands without fouling against the offensive low post player.

The purpose of the high hands are to hinder the vision of the offensive low post player and increase the difficulty of that same post player to see possible passing options out of the double team.

From that point, the offensive low post player will usually execute one of three actions : turn the ball over, take a bad shot, or pass the ball to another teammate near the perimeter.

If the offensive low post player turns the ball over or takes a bad shot because of the double team, then this would be a beneficial outcome for the defensive team.

Moreover, even if the offensive low post player is able to pass the ball to another teammate, this could still be advantageous for the defensive team, especially if the offensive team prefers to score points via its low post players.

Which basketball offensive strategies are suitable for low post players

The 3 out 2 in motion offense is a basketball offensive strategy that seeks to create multiple scoring opportunities through the use of set plays as well as offensive actions such as basketball screens, basketball cuts, continuity patterns and pick and roll options among others.

The 4 out 1 in motion offense is a basketball offensive strategy that creates scoring opportunities via a variety of sequences such as basketball cuts, basketball screens, and dribble drive action.

The box offense is a basketball offensive strategy that utilizes quick hitting set plays with various basketball screens to create scoring opportunities near the basket or from the perimeter, particularly for the team’s best players.

The Hawk offense, also known as the Hawk set, is a unique basketball offensive strategy that utilizes high post action, a stack alignment, and various basketball screens to create scoring opportunities from the perimeter or near the basket for one or more players on the offensive team.

The Princeton offense is a basketball offensive strategy which utilizes the fundamental skills of cutting, dribbling, passing, screening, and shooting as well as three unique series of actions known as Chin, Low and Point to create scoring opportunities near the basket or from the perimeter.

The stack offense is a basketball offensive strategy that begins with a stack formation which also includes a variety of basketball screens to produce multiple scoring options for the offensive team’s best players.

The triangle offense is a basketball offensive strategy in which three players form a sideline triangle on one side of the court to create scoring opportunities via the use of various actions such as ball movement, basketball cuts, and basketball screens, primarily based on the reactions of the defense.

What Is the Post in Basketball? (High & Low Post Explained)

Whether you’re watching basketball on TV or playing in real life, you often hear players or coaches refer to a certain area on the court as the ‘post’. It’s one of the most physically-demanding areas and is where a majority of the fouls occur during a game.

So, what is the post in basketball?

The post, also known as the ‘paint’ area, is where the center and power forward spend a majority of their time on offense and defense. It’s divided into the low post, located near the basket, and the high-post, located near the free-throw line. Offensive players ‘post up’ when asking for the ball.

The post is one of the most difficult areas to play in basketball. It’s where offensive players receive the most contact from defenders, it’s often the most crowded area on the court, and is where most of the mistakes happen throughout the game.

Mastering the post takes hard work, determination, effort, and skill. With the right guidance and proper understanding of what the post is, anyone can prove they’re dominant at posting up.

As important as the post is in basketball today, there’s a lot of confusion regarding why it’s called the ‘post’ and where the term comes from.

Believe it or not, it actually comes from the term ‘posting up,’ which is what offensive players do when calling for the ball in the post.

In basketball, the center or power forward ‘post up’ at either the low-post or high-post, depending on what play is called. Some believe they call it the ‘post’ because there are essentially four ‘posts’ to the paint area (the four corners) that dictate the location of the low-post or high-post.

‘Posting up’ is also slang used in the United States. Most people use it when claiming an area as theirs.

For example, when a personal trainer is getting set up with a client at the gym, they might tell the client to, “Go ahead and post up over there by the free weights.”

People also use the term ‘posting up’ when making plans with friends or family.

For example, you might say, “Let’s post up at the park and have a picnic,” or, “How does posting up at Eric’s house before heading to the game sound?”

The low post is an area on the court located at the bottom of the key on both sides of the basket. To many, it’s the area underneath the basket, inside the paint area, and by the baseline.

When you picture power forwards and centers lining up underneath the basket, they’re lining up in the low post.

If you’re using the ‘four posts’ analogy, the power forward and center line up at the first two ‘posts.’

In fact, you might see a wide range of different players line up in the post area — especially as the play proceeds.

With the amount of size we’re seeing in point guards, shooting guards, and small forwards today, they’re becoming more comfortable with playing in the low post.

Securing the low post is one of the main priorities for the offense. They’re trying to secure the ball down low because that’s where the high-percentage shots are — layups, dunks, and hook shots.

Post players must also crash the offensive boards when a teammate misses, opening the door for second-chance opportunities.

The low post doesn’t only refer to the offensive side of the ball. On defense, the post defenders are responsible for blocking shots, staying physical without fouling, and boxing out to avoid giving up second-chance points.

In basketball, games are often won and lost in the low post.

Where the low post refers to the paint area near the baseline, the high post refers to the paint area near the free throw line — at the top of the key.

It’s still considered part of the post and is on both sides of the basket, but the high post is further away from the basket than the low post.

When referring to the ‘four posts’ analogy, the two posts located in this area are the corners (or elbows) of the key or free throw line.

The elbow is one of the most common areas on the court to shoot a mid-range jump shot. It’s also one of the main areas on the court coaches focus on in practice.

Big men also utilize the high post when luring their defender away from the basket, freeing up a lane to the rim.

Much like the low post, the high post is valuable to both the offense and defense. On offense, the high post is where a majority of power forwards and centers line up before setting a pick or setting up a play.

Coming off a set pick, the ball handler takes a lot of shots from the high post. If the player setting the pick doesn’t roll towards the basket afterwards, they often pop out to the high post area and wait for the ball.

Much like they do in the low post, big men also ‘post-up’ in the high-post. Instead of hook shots, layups, and dunks, they often perform fadeaways and unbalanced shots.

Defending the high post is one of the easiest ways to frustrate your opponent. When they can’t find success in the high post, it limits what they can do and makes them more one-dimensional when in the post.

This makes it easier on your entire defense.

When most players are on offense, their body is always facing the basket. It’s the only way they can keep an eye on everything that’s happening in front of them and ensures they’re in the right position when running a play.

For players posting up, it’s the opposite.

Instead of their body facing toward the basket, players posting up have their body facing away from the basket. With their body facing towards their teammate, the post-up player signals to the rest of the team when they’re ready to receive the ball.

They also might signal for a pick or another play.

Posting up is a player’s way of gaining position in either the low post or high post. Similar to boxing out when creating space for rebounding the ball, posting up creates the space necessary for the player to make their next move.

Of course, physicality plays an important role here.

Once in position, the post-up player has a wide range of options. First, they can continue backing down their opponent if they want to get closer to the basket.

When backing down an opponent, use your butt and back to gradually move towards the basket. Watch out for charging calls, which are often called when posting up a smaller player.

If the post-up player likes their current positioning, they can decide to shoot the ball instead of further backing down their defender.

With so many different shots to choose from in the low and high post, many post players practice a combination of different shots.

Let’s take a look at some of the most effective post shots:

1. Up and Under – when the offensive player performs a shot-fake (the up) underneath the basket, that way the defender jumps. When the defender is in the air, the offensive player can change their position (the under) for an open shot.
2. Hook Shot – when the offensive player has their body between the ball and basket, they can shoot it with the hand away from the basket to create more space for the shot. It’s a move perfected by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
3. Turn-Around Fadeaway – when you think of Kobe Bryant or Michael Jordan in the post, this is the move you think of. It’s when the offensive player has his back turned to the basket, is backing down the defender, and suddenly turns around for a fadeaway jump shot in the post.
4. Layup & Dunk – the most basic forms of post shots, but also the highest-percentage shots in all of basketball. Layups and dunks happen underneath the basket.
5. Jump Shot – if the offensive player has enough room when they receive the ball in the post, they might not need any special kind of shot to score. A simple jump shot is all that’s needed sometimes.

In the event a player isn’t ready for a shot and isn’t in position to back down their opponent any further, the post player has a variety of moves they can utilize.

These moves are an excellent way of creating space where space is limited. Let’s take a look at some of the most effective post moves in basketball:

1. Drop Step – when the offensive player receives the ball in the low post, they often try to dribble or back down towards the middle of the basket. If the defender is blocking this from happening, quickly change direction and spinning the opposite way is an effective move for layups and dunks.
2. Triple Threat – in the triple threat position, the offensive player faces up with the defender after receiving the ball in the post. They must get in the proper position to either pass, shoot, or dribble, and then make the right decision.
3. Spin Move – this is a highly-effective move in the post. Faster players should utilize a quick spin move, while big men should utilize a power spin move.
4. Sikma Move – made famous by Jack Sikma, this move is a catch and shoot type of play from the post. Immediately after receiving the ball, you turn towards the opponent and shoot. The shot, however, is often done from behind the head to create more space.
5. Dream Shake – the move made famous by Hakeem Olajuwon. When backing down on the baseline, the offensive player fakes a layup and then goes up for the hook shot.

When building skill with an array of post moves, it’s important to scout your opponent prior to playing. By understanding their weaknesses and strengths, you can formulate a game plan that works in your favor.

Post players should also understand when to utilize those moves. For example, when your spin move is working well, it’s often a good idea to throw something else at the defense the next time down the court.

Since they’re expecting another spin move, you can catch the defense off-guard.

When most people imagine a post player, they imagine someone tall and big. While these two characteristics are common in post players, just being tall or big isn’t enough to be effective in the post.

What’s most important is physicality and the player’s ability to stand their ground when getting pushed around.

Post players are the ones that run from one baseline to the next baseline consistently, whether or not they touch the ball.

They don’t receive the most praise, but they’re often the hardest workers and rarely get a chance to breathe.

Since most post players play with their backs to the basket, building confidence often starts there. If you’re not comfortable in this position, you won’t succeed as a post player.

It requires a certain feel for the game that only a few players have and that’s why size doesn’t necessarily matter — not as much as instinct.

Earlier, we talked about some of the shots and moves post players should master on offense.

Now, let’s take a look at some of the specific offensive skills post players should spend the most time working on in the post:

1. Positioning – knowing how to gain your position and battle defenders for your spot on the floor is essential when playing in the post. Unless you establish position, the defender wins everytime.
2. Counters – not every move works the first time. That’s why every one of your moves should have a counter move. When the first move doesn’t work, the counter move should.
3. Intelligence – it doesn’t matter what position you play, intelligence is extremely important. Studying the game and working with your skills coach to improve your vision and feel for the game helps you in a variety of areas.
4. Footwork – offensive players in the post need to learn how to utilize their pivots and footwork. It’s key to finding the right position in the post.
5. Rebounding – anytime you’re in the post, you must prepare to rebound the ball. Even in the high post, long rebounds are much more common in today’s game of basketball.

Finally, let’s take a look at some of our most prominent tips when building confidence and playing your best in the post areas:

1. Understand your opponent. Players head to the post area for different reasons. Some do it to score, some do it to pass, screen, drive cut, and even rebound. Once you know their tendencies, exploit them.
2. When defending the post, it’s essential you beat the offensive player to the spot on the floor. This gives you the best opportunity to break up the pass and create chaos.
3. If the offensive player receives the ball, you must stay active. Use your strength, but don’t hesitate to utilize your speed and agility.
4. Never give the offensive player a break down low. Even when the ball is at half-court, post players need to be hard-at-work down low.

Finding success in the post is vital to any team’s success — both on offense and defense. It’s no wonder why coaches spend so much time perfecting this area of the court!

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How to get results in basketball

"Any experienced basketball player will tell you that there is a huge difference between learning and applying technique!"

Online basketball expert, national level player

Any experienced basketball player will tell you that there is a huge difference between learning and applying technique! It's only natural that beginners (or those who are returning to play after a long break) get caught up in the game on the court - all you hear is "rush. ..to the rim...lead...use the whole court". All your strength is focused on not making mistakes, in order to know that you do not let your team down. What exactly are you doing? Positions? rebounds? Blocks? Interceptions? This is really important, but there are other great ways to add value to the team. Take a break from your own achievements - this will allow you to become a more valuable player. This article does not contain obvious advice on keeping fit, working on speed, dribbling, serving, etc. But here you will find 5 ways to become more efficient from the very next game. You are much closer to success than you think!

The main reason basketball players lose passes and miss comfortable rebounds is because their hands aren't ready. This seems obvious, but still deserves special attention. Your hands should always be ready to receive the pass, and your palms are directed towards the ball - the server will perceive them as a target.

Here are a few exercises you can do during your warm-up to prepare for the game:

The correct execution of passes gives confidence on the site. However, there are a few things to keep in mind here.

The basics of technique play a huge role for beginners. Practice a 2-handed chest pass and a bounce pass. After that, you can move on to other methods.

Don't pass just for the sake of passing. Determine who can take the pass, who can't, (identify strong offensive players, weak defenders) and go for it!

IMPORTANT: DO NOT KEEP THE BALL - make passes and passes will be made to you.

Low, wide stance: There are only 2 cases where you should deviate from this rule - this is rebounding and covering the ball. In any other situation, it is important that the stance is low: straight back, bent knees, feet shoulder-width apart, arms extended forward. In this position, you are firmly on your feet and ready to respond to passes. It is very important to be between the defender and the ring.

This is the main way to participate in offense without the ball! If you are a beginner basketball player, then you will most likely score infrequently. Perform screenings to:

1. give partners the opportunity to open up
2. open yourself

Shield the dribbler, shield your opponents without the ball (to help your teammates) and keep moving. The ball will find its way to you.

1. This allows you to strengthen the attack - so it will be more difficult for defenders to keep track of all opponents;
2. You will be in a better position to shoot/pass/dribble to the basket when you receive the ball.

Do not forget that your hands should always be ready.

Try to consciously change positions (moving quickly between two points on the court) so that you get used to playing from different points. A conscious change of position will bring you the location of your team, but the enemy defender will clearly dislike you!

This is certainly not a complete list of tips, but rest assured that if you follow them, your next game will be better than the last!