Basics for the H.S. post player.

My staff and I strongly believe in developing the individual player, particularly the post man. Whereas the college coach can recruit players with post moves, the high school coach has to start from scratch--and it can be a time killer.

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That is why we extend our teaching program to the off-season. During this time, we also work hard on our strength training and a basketball specific plyometric routine three times a week.

We use a "believe it to see it" approach with our post neophytes--making them understand what we are trying to accomplish. We are constantly asking them to tell us what they are doing.

In our off-season program, we teach the players how to receive the ball on the post (body positioning, balance, stance, target, feel for the defense, and being strong with the ball).

Following are the things we work on in the four major areas of post-player development. Note: Players are made from March to November and teams are made from November to March.

MENTAL APPROACH

 1. Take pride in being tough both mentally and physically.
 2. Respect your opponent, but fear no one.
 3. Be aggressive (a mind set).
 4. "Think" the game, read the situation.
 5. Visualize everything you attempt to do. ("Believe it before you can
    see it, not see it to believe it.")
 6. Work hard in the off-season in order to earn the right to be
    successful.
 7. Never get out hustled!
 8. Consider yourself a blue-collar worker.
 9. Develop positive and consistent daily habits.
10. Take pride in being a complete player.

PHYSICAL APPROACH

 1. Work hard on your body positioning.
 2. Maintain a balanced athletic position.
 3. Play "big" (wide base), with head up, knees bent, and target hand
    up.
 4. Catch ball and bring it to the chin.
 5. Read the defense.
 6. Be strong inside.
 7. Move quickly but under control.
 8. Keep your hands up and elbows out.
 9. Learn how to move from side to side and inside-out.
10. Repetition makes perfect.

OFFENSE

 1. Work for high-percentage shots.
 2. A strong inside game will open up the perimeter (inside-out) for
    you.
 3. You'll be fouled a lot when you play inside, so work on your foul
    shooting.
 4. Learn how to get open with footwork, pivots, weight-shifts, etc.
 5. Think one or two passes ahead.
 6. Restrict your dribbling in the paint.
 7. Don't set up too far under the basket--it will hurt your rebounding.
 8. Think block out on every shot.
 9. Follow up missed shots.
10. Learn exactly how your man is playing you.

DEFENSE

 1. Don't let your man go where he wants.
 2. Do not reach on defense (no silly fouls).
 3. Front the post when you're on the ball side.
 4. Play the help-side away from the ball.
 5. Try to make your man go where he does not want to go.
 6. Block out on every shot, allow no second shots.
 7. Be willing to take a charge.
 8. Play with your hands up, be ready to switch when necessary.
 9. Rebounding is mostly a matter of attitude and desire.
10. Communicate with your teammates.

OFFENSIVE FOOTWORK

The following drills are performed alone both at the blocks and the elbows of the lane. We will also do them against defensive opponents, but not every day.

All of the moves are performed from a starting position with the back to the basket. We will start with our low foot on the blocks.

If positioned at the block, we will start with our left foot on the block. If starting from the high post, we will start with our outside foot at the edge of the elbow.

With your back to the basket:

1. Pivot toward the basket and shoot a bank shot.

2. Drop step with your lower foot and take one dribble toward the hoop for a power layup.

3. Turn toward the hoop and take one dribble toward the basket with the outside hand and shoot a jump shot.

4. Turn toward the hoop and take one hard dribble to the middle of the key and into a two-foot jump stop and shot.

5. Turn toward the hoop and take one dribble to the middle of the key and come to a two-foot jump stop. Now, using either foot as the pivot foot, give a pump fake and then cross one leg over the other toward the hoop for the layup. After two turns, cross the other leg and repeat the drill.

6. Turn toward the hoop and take one dribble to the middle of the key into a two-foot jump stop. Now, using either foot as the pivot foot, give a pump fake and reverse-pivot away from the defense and shoot a jump hook.

7. Turn toward the hoop and take one hard dribble toward the hoop and then push back with your shooting foot and shoot. Since stepping back will throw you off-balance, you have to step back and out for the shot.

8. Turn and face the hoop, take one hard dribble toward the basket, come to a stop and maintain your dribble, then push back with the shooting foot, give a head fake and continue dribbling to the hoop for the layup.

All of these moves are made both from the blocks and the elbows of the lane. The player then goes to the other side of the court and repeats all the moves.

BY JAMES ROWE

Head Basketball Coach

Woodinville (WA) H.S.