As a post player, your role is to control the paint, dominate inside, and be a key force in your teamโs offense. While size can be an advantage, technique and fundamentals are what truly set great post players apart.
Here are three essential tips to help post players improve their offensive impact and become unstoppable inside the key.
1. Know Your Distance
Your positioning on the court can make or break your effectiveness as a post player. Before catching the ball, always be aware of how far you are from the basket. This awareness will help you make quick decisions on which move to execute.
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Close to the hoop? Use a jump hook (see tip #2) for quick, high-percentage points.
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Pushed away from the key? Post up to regain position or use a reverse pivot to attack the basket head-on.
Developing a strong sense of your court positioning will improve your reaction time, making you a more efficient and confident player.
2. Master the Jump Hook
The jump hook is a must-have move for post players, especially when facing taller defenders. This shot is quick, difficult to block, and highly effective in the paint.
How to Perform a Jump Hook:
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Pivot Position: Start with your back to the basket and pivot so your body is perpendicular to the hoop.
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Jump Off Both Feet: This provides balance and power.
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Extend Your Shooting Arm: Keep your arm vertical, shooting the ball above your shoulder.
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Protect the Ball: Use your non-shooting arm to shield the ball from defenders.
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Use Both Hands: Develop your jump hook with both your right and left hand for versatility.
Mastering this move will make you a scoring threat regardless of your defenderโs height.
3. Embrace Contact
While being tall helps, physicality and toughness are just as important for a dominant post player. Basketball is a contact sport, and learning how to use your body effectively will give you a major advantage.
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Use Your Lower Body: Initiate contact with your hips and legs to establish position.
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Avoid Fouls: Refrain from extending your arms to push off defendersโit often leads to offensive fouls.
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Absorb Pressure: Learn to finish through contact rather than avoiding it. Strong post players thrive in physical situations.
By embracing contact and playing with controlled aggression, you can put defenders in foul trouble and create scoring opportunities for yourself and your team.
Become an Unstoppable Post Player
Post players who master positioning, fundamental moves like the jump hook, and physical play become invaluable assets to their teams. Train hard. Play smart. Control the paint.
