Here are some basketball post player tips for you…
Sadly, the true definition of a “post-player” in basketball is slowly dying. In the old-school era of basketball, post players were often the team’s top scorer and spent all of their time in the paint.
As the “three-seconds” rule came into effect and the evolution of more skilled guards slowly took over, the post game deteriorated. However, you cannot possibly attribute the lost art of the post game to anyone quite as much as the European influence on the game of basketball (particularly the NBA).
The NBA witnessed an enormous explosion of European talent which arrived in the league from the 1990’s to the early 2000’s. Some players, such as Dirk Nowitzki, Peja Stojakovic, and Mehmet Okur have found a lot of success in the NBA, while others like Nikoloz Tskitishvili and Darko Millicic have been major busts. Yet, all these players have one major thing in common. They’re “post players” who can shoot from the outside.
The European big-man consequently pushed the rest of the league’s power forwards and centers to the outside, thereby creating a more skilled but less dominant inside presence. However, the old-school definition of the post player has not died altogether. You still can dominate from the inside as much as you can from the outside.
Basketball Post Player Tips: Back to the Basket
Basketball post players are now separated into two different categories – those who “face-up” and those who keep their back to the basket. Back to the basket post players are generally more physical and aggressive, while “face-up” post players have the ability to knock down a shot if not guarded closely. While you can dominate at one or the other, the best option is to have a nice feel of both.
It’s easier to face-up than it is to work with your back to the basket. Thus, a dedicated big-man should spend more time working on this aspect of his or her game. When you have your back to the basket, you may not be able to see the hoop as well, but your options to score are much greater than that of a “face-up” player. For example, you could drop step, fade away, go up-and-under, or use the nearly extinct hook-shot.
All of the above post moves are nearly “un-guardable” is executed correctly. Thus, it’s important to practice these moves a lot. Back to the basket post players have to “read” the defense and ultimately make a decision as to what move they will use. So, with that in mind – practice with a defender and outlet passer as much as possible.
Basketball Post Player Tips: Face-Up
Now it’s time to expand your game into the options you can use when catching the ball and facing up square with the basket. From this position, a post player can see the whole floor. If another defender rushes over to double team you, a teammate should cut and receive a pass for a wide open layup. If the your defender sags off too much, BOOM!, you rise up for the open jumper. What if the defense is too tight? Put the ball on the deck and take a hard jab step to the basket.
You have a ton of options when facing up to the basket; however none of them are really that effective unless you can shoot the mid-range or three-point shot.
Basketball Post Player Tips: Shooting
So if you really want to expand your offensive post game, a good player must have the ability to play with his or her back to the basket while also facing up from time to time. As previously mentioned, if you cannot shoot, then the face-up game is rather ineffective. Why? The opposing defender will not guard you tight if your shot lacks consistency.
Consequently, it’s important to get into the gym and shoot the basketball. However, undisciplined shooting will get you nowhere. Take shots you might take in a game (the elbows, top of the key, and top of the three-point line are especially common among post players who can shoot). High repetition is important, but only if you shoot with the proper fundamentals. Set goals for makes and shoot with a passes as much as possible.
Basketball Post Player Tips: Free-Throws
Post players tend to get fouled a lot, since they do a vast majority of their work in the paint, or the physical area of the basketball court. Teams will love to foul a post player late in a close game, especially if he or she cannot shoot. Thus, solid free-throw shooting is vital. Work on your free-throws every day. They’re very important and can be the difference between a win and a loss.
Basketball Post Player Tips: The Little Things
Rebounding, blocking, stealing, and passing may seem like distant seconds to scoring, however countless NBA players have made a long, and profitable career out of doing “the little things.” Hustle guys or role players, as they are commonly referred to, our needed on every good team. The best thing about statistics like rebounding, blocking, and stealing is that they generally are much more a result of effort rather than skill. Athleticism is just an added luxury.
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