That Basketball Life

In our third discussion of post movement we are focusing on the high/low set and how the post players will move when we line up in this set.  Remember that this is just a basic template that we like to show our youth players so they can learn our system.  As the season goes on and their familiarity with each other grows, we encourage creativity in their movements.  As the season goes on the only rules that apply will be the following: Never have our 2 bigs line up within 5 feet of each other.  Interior spacing is important.  We like to maintain 10-12 feet of space on the interior. If you're not open then move and let the next man fill in.  We teach the 2 second rule.  If you don't get it in 2 seconds then move and replace. Always try to make yourself available especially if a teammate is in trouble. Now on to high/low interior movement.

In our second discussion of post movement we are focusing on the 1-4 low set and how the post players will move when we line up in this set.  Remember that this is just a basic template that we like to show our youth players so they can learn our system.  As the season goes on and their familiarity with each other grows, we encourage creativity in their movements.  As the season goes on the only rules that apply will be the following: Never have our 2 bigs line up within 5 feet of each other.  Interior spacing is important.  We like to maintain 10-12 feet of space on the interior. If you're not open then move and let the next man fill in.  We teach the 2 second rule.  If you don't get it in 2 seconds then move and replace. Always try to make yourself available especially if a teammate is in trouble. Now on to 1-4 Low interior movement.

In our first discussion of post movement we are focusing on the 1-4 high set and how the post players will move when we line up in this set.  Remember that this is just a basic template that we like to show our youth players so they can learn our system.  As the season goes on and their familiarity with each other grows, we encourage creativity in their movements.  As the season goes on the only rules that apply will be the following: Never have our 2 bigs line up within 5 feet of each other.  Interior spacing is important.  We like to maintain 10-12 feet of space on the interior. If you're not open then move and let the next man fill in.  We teach the 2 second rule.  If you don't get it in 2 seconds then move and replace. Always try to make yourself available especially if a teammate is in trouble. Now on to 1-4 High interior movement.

I'd like to spend a bit of time discussing different post rotations.  Post rotations are how the post players will be lining up and moving during an offensive set.  Most of the offenses I like to run consist of 2 post players and I generally like to have the 2 players occupy the high post and the low post at any point in time.  I also like to have the high post be a safety valve when the perimeter players require it or to be that 4th player on the perimeter when the team is facing an odd man zone (ie. 1-2-2/3-2/1-3-1) and the offense needs to line up on the gaps accordingly. 

In this installment we are covering what our players should look for when the ball is entered on the low block.  Knowing their options before they even step on the floor will help slow things down in players mind.

When running your offense it is always a good idea for your players to know exactly where their options are going to be when they catch the ball in certain spots on the floor.  Today we cover what our offense should be doing when we get the ball in the high post.

Below is a nice video featuring Kirby Schepp explaining various drills that he uses to develop his big men.  This video has great drills and coach Shepp does a nice job adding layers to the drills.  To me this is a must watch.

Good post play is becoming a lost art.  In today's game even big men prefer to shoot from the outside as opposed to taking advantage of their size in the paint.  In my eyes, as a coach, there is always room for post play in an offense regardless of how good an outside shooting team you may have.  As a player, it never hurts to add new dimensions to your game and learning how to play with your back to the basket can always come in handy. In essence, a drop step is the simplest and one of the most effective post moves a player could use. To properly play with your back to the basket a player needs to be able to feel what the defender is doing behind him.  Is he fronting him top side or from the baseline?  Is he playing off of him or fronting him completely.  What the defender does will determine what type of move you will make when you receive the ball with your back to the basket.

Below is a nice sequence of shots to follow that you can practice in order to improve your game around the rim.  Keep in mind that this sequence should not be ignored by perimeter players.  It should be followed by all basketball players who want to improve their game.  In today's game everyone seems to love the long range shot and few people are efficient at finishing from closer to the basket.