Post Drills

Фото: FIBA Assist Magazine

Don Showalter, head coach at Mid Praire high school, has been a successful American high school coach since 1974. He was selected head coach of the USA Men’s Under 16 National Team in 2009, going undefeated and winning the gold medal at the FIBA America’s Championship in Argentina, and qualifying for the 2010 FIBA Under 17 World Championship in Hamburg, Germany.

The following is a set of post drills we use at each practice to help develop our post players. We have found that it takes longer and we need to spend more time developing the post players than perimeter players. The post players are often less athletic and seem to have more footwork problems. Therefore, much more time needs to be spent working on special drills with them. I have found that it is important to have all players work on these post drills because perimeter players will often find themselves in the post area and must know how to score with their back to the basket.

HAWK DRILLS

This half-court drills use all of your players and has them work on passing, post moves, and relocating to different spots to shoot and pass.

Two-Player Passing Series

Start with two lines of players, with one stationed near the top of the key and the other group lined up at the baseline corner behind the three-point line. “C” is a coach who is playing stationary defense.

Pass And Shoot: 1 penetrates to the freethrow line, while 2 starts out in the corner and makes a quick cut to the wing area behind the three-point line (if the player doesn’t have three-point range, have him step in for a medium-range jumper). 1 passes to 2, who shoots a jump shot. The shooter rebounds and the players switch lanes (diagr. 1).

Penetrate and Post: 1 penetrates and passes to 2. After making the pass, 1 cuts to the block and posts up in front of the coach who’s playing defense. 2 makes an entry pass back to 1, who executes a post-up shot against the defending coach. The shooter rebounds and the players switch lanes (diagr. 2).

Relocate The Passing Angle: This drill is the same as the previous drill, but, after receiving the initial pass, the wing dribbles toward the baseline for a better passing angle into the post. 1 passes to 2 and breaks down low to post up on the low block. 2 takes a few hard, quick dribbles to the baseline and makes an entry pass to 1. 1 executes a post-up move against the defending coach. The shooter rebounds and the players switch lanes (diagr. 3).

Post-Wing Kickout: 1 passes to 2 and breaks down low to post up on the low block. 2 takes a few hard, quick dribbles to the baseline and makes an entry pass to 1. 1 fakes a post-up shot and passes the ball back out to 2 on the wing, who takes the pass for a quick catch-and-shoot jump shot. The shooter rebounds and the players switch lanes (diagr. 4).

RE-POST

This drill is executed just like the previous drill except that when the post player passes the ball back out, he continues to fight for better post position against the defending coach. 2 throws an entry pass back to 1, who then makes a post-up move and takes a shot. The shooter rebounds and the players switch lanes (diagr. 5).

POST SEAL DRILL

This drill is a great way for your post players to work on getting the best inside post positioning. 1 passes to 2 in the corner, cuts toward the basket, and gains positioning behind the defending coach. 2 fakes as if to shoot and then lobs the ball over the defending coach’s head to 1, who seals the defender, secures the ball, and puts up a quick shot. The shooter rebounds and the players switch lanes (diagr. 6).

HOOK LAY-IN DRILL

The post player takes a drop step inside and shoots a baby hook lay-in. The player will then rebound his shot, toss the ball out, and run towards the other big block, landing on both feet in a jump stop (diagr. 7). He then immediately drop steps inside, shoots a baby hook lay-in, rebounds his shot, tosses the ball out, and repeats the drill. This drill continues for thirty seconds. Increase the time as the player progresses.

POWER PICK-UP DRILL

Objectives:

1. To drill drop steps.
2. To drill power lay-up
3. To drill the pump fake.

Line up 5 as the shooter, with 4 as a helper. Two balls are used; one starts at each block.

The post player will go from block to block, picking up the ball, and quickly taking a drop-step power lay-up (diagr. 8).

POWER LAY-UP DRILL

Objectives:

1. To drill drop steps.
2. To drill power lay-up
3. To drill the pump fake.
4. Improve physical conditioning and get to the basket when tired.

Line up 5 as the shooter, with 4 as a helper. Two balls are used; one ball starts at each block (diagr. 9).

The post player will go from block to block picking up the ball, and quickly taking a drop-step power lay-up. Move the location of the ball up the lane.

BAD PASS DRILL

Objectives:

1. Catch, chin, and take a look.
2. Lose position to gain possession.

The coach will make the post player move to catch an entry pass. Make passes difficult for the player to catch (diagr. 10).

HALF COURT CATCH AND FINISH DRILL

Objectives:

1. Conditioning
2. Outlet pass
3. Catch and finish

The post player throws the ball off the backboard, catches it, and outlets the ball. He then runs as fast as he can, touches the half-court line, and then fills the lane as he runs to the basket. He will receive a pass and finish the shot at the basket (diagr. 11).

TOUCHES DRILL

Quick finish with no steps. The coach will make a pass to either post (diagr. 12).

RELOCATION DRILL

Relocation of post player. The post circles opposite of penetration.

Emphasize a quick finish and footwork (diagr. 13 and 14).

DEAD BALL FLASH DRILL

The post player will flash to an opening when penetration is stopped (dead zones) (diagr. 15).