EFFECTIVE OFFENSIVE POST PLAY INVOLVES “CREATING SPACE” It

EFFECTIVE OFFENSIVE POST PLAY INVOLVES “CREATING SPACE” It is a misconception, when shooting in the low post area, the player should shoot over the opponent. That works well if you’re seven feet tall, but what about those who are at the short end of the height mismatch? How do they get an open shot? LOCATION FOR INITIATING MOVES The answer lies in “creating space” from the defender. We’re going to assume the taller defender is not going to front his opponent and the ball can be caught at the mid post. The mid post is the most effective starting place for post moves. Too low and there is no baseline option. If a player is straddling a point any lower than the first line above the block, he is too low. Pivoting baseline to face the basket from the mid post provides a perfect angle for the bank shot: the forty-five degree angle. The mid post location is also good for stepping into the key for the hook shot, or making a drive toward the hoop. CREATING SPACE No offensive arsenal, from any location on the floor, is effective without the threat of penetration. Even the greatest offensive player in history, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, was a constant threat to wheel around a defender for the short hook shot. This threat caused defenders to give him space by backing off. Any player who played Kareem tight, would immediately find Kareem closer to the basket than he was. The threat of the drive creates space. Therefore, we must teach our post, when posting up with the defender behind, to read the defense and make baseline drop step, baseline spin move, or hook shot across the key if possible. Teach driving first. The drive creates space for the shot, but only if the player has learned to take the long first step. The first step of the hook shot (should be the only step at high school and college level because of narrow lane; no dribble is needed) should be almost half way across the key, parallel to the baseline, and the lead foot pointed perpendicular to the opposite sideline. The drop step should also be long. The spin move should be quick with the player spinning and, literally, falling toward the basket. This creates instant space, especially if the defender was pushing. Once the driving threat is there, driving fakes create space; a quick ball fake toward the middle or baseline will move, or freeze the defender. Defenders will give “drivers” space, not wanting to get beat and, in some cases, to take the charge should they drive. The offensive player reads the space and pivots away from the defender (either down the lane to the forty-five degree angle, or up the lane). If the defender is playing the baseline side, the offensive player pivots up the key to create more space. If the defender is playing the high-side, he pivots down the lane to create more space. Once the pivot has been made, the options are: Shoot the jump shot or fake the jump shot and drive with the long first step. E-mail me with questions and with anything you would like to see me cover on the next post page. Balance, Footwork and Speed Helping an underdeveloped tall player develop into an asset to the team requires a carefully thought-through plan, based on logical sequencing of activities. In other words, teaching must be accumulative. We begin at the very basic level of development: balance, footwork, and maneuvering speed—in that order. BALANCE: Balance is the basis for initiating all basketball moves; lack of balance makes a player slow to react, less quick than he should be, and limits jump timing and elevation. The ingredient for proper balance are: 1. Feet a little wider than the shoulders 2. Weight equally distributed between the two feet 3. About 70% of the weight on the balls of the feet 4. Back as vertical as possible with lower back arched in 5. Head directly above the midpoint between the two feet and chin up 6. Elbows away from the body and hands just below shoulder height 7. Low center of gravity by bending knees close to ninety degrees, but not too low Activity 1—Stationary Balance Player is placed in balanced position. Coach makes certain all seven points (above) are correct. Player holds position for about one minute. Coach asks player to shake his hand and attempts to push and pull player off balance. Coach walks around player, pushing the shoulders, back, and chest to test the player’s balance. The player’s legs will become fatigued. Do this activity every day, increasing the amount of time player stays in balanced position. Player must learn to keep center of gravity down for an entire game so don’t think you’re overworking. Activity 2—Moving Balance Have player do Mikan Drill. Balance while moving will develop as player loses balance and regains balance. The only way to improve balance is to lose it and regain it quickly and properly. FOOTWORK Pete Newell says, on the average, a player, who plays an entire game, will handle the basketball four minutes, or one-tenth a college game. However, he will use footwork all the time. Footwork is more important than ball handling and shooting. In fact, without proper footwork, it is impossible to become an effective player. Activity 1—Jump Stops Now that player is learning balance (mastery is not required before moving into footwork), he uses it in the jump stop. Player comes across the key, to the mid-post area and comes to a jump stop with both feet landing simultaneously. The two-footed jump stop provides two, potential pivot feet. Coach checks all seven balance points (above). Activity 2—Pivoting Proper pivoting prevents traveling calls, turns the body to block a defender off the boards, and helps to protect the basketball. Reverse Pivot—Player comes across the key and comes to jump stop. The player swings the non-pivot foot back and turns one-hundred and eight degrees to face the basket. Balance is maintained by keeping a straight back, chin up, and center of gravity low. Front Pivot—The player swings the non-pivot foot toward the front and turns one- hundred and eighty degrees to face the basket. Activity 3—Spinning The spin is a quick, rotating move that instantly releases the defensive physical pressure and projects the offensive player toward the basket. To execute the spin, the player rolls off the defender who is pushing from behind. He literally falls toward the basket, pivoting on the heel of his foot closet to the baseline (gives him another foot of distance) losing balance and then regains it to make the lay-up. Player comes across the key to a jump stop. Coach leans against player’s back, attempting to push him away from the basket. Without the basketball, he spins baseline, regains balance, and ends up slightly to the side of the basket (not under the board) in balance position. MANEUVERING SPEED Effective post play requires quick execution. The ability to move at high speed, yet under control, must be developed. There is a difference between speed and maneuvering speed. A player may be able to run without the ball quickly but, when asked to make an offensive move at high speed, may trip over his own feet or, in the least, be off balance. Activity 1—Around the key cutting, receiving, pivoting Player begins at one low post, cuts across the key, receives an imaginary pass, and pivots toward the basket. Player then does the same moving from low to high post. Finally, player moves from high to original low post area. Activity 2—Defensive Sliding and Catch-Up Against and imaginary dribbler, players defensive slides by changing directions often. Every other pivot or so, player is beat by a cross over dribble, sprints to catch the offensive player, cuts that player off, regains balance, and assumes defensive sliding. At least two catch up sprints should occur in the backcourt. When reaching half-court, the player sprints to the opposite end line. Add a real offensive player without the ball, progressing to a dribbler with the ball. .

Load more