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Defending the Post Area

Post Fundamentals

"It’s not how tall you are, it’s how tall you play that counts."

Being able to defend the post is crucial in basketball. Post defense is not just limited to the tallest players on a team; on the contrary, smaller players can expect to be posted up. Therefore, it is important that all players are skilled in the fundamentals of defending the post area.

Mental Preparation: Analyzing Post Deployment

Low post: usually a shooter/scorer.
Medium post: probably a triple threat player.
High post: normally a screener or passer.

More often than not, coaches meet the challenge of how best to defend the high, medium, and low post areas in one of two ways. The most commonly used approach is to teach the defender to play behind or to the side of the offensive player, allowing the pass, and depending on fellow defenders for help that may or may not come. In defending the post with the ball, the defender is more prone to fouling. However, this makes little sense with today’s hot shot players.

A more aggressive approach is to front and deny the pass into the post. Today’s interchangeable offenses, which often find all five offensive players moving in and out of the post area at any given time, make it necessary for each defender, not just the center, to learn how to pressure deny the pass into all three post areas. The defender assigned to guard the post player will find the mission far easier to accomplish if both attitude and action are directed to the following positives:

• Assume an attitude of invincibility around the basket by taking charge with aggressive action.
• Intimidate the offensive post by "standing ground" between him and the potential passer. The defenders major mission in guarding the post is to keep the ball from the opponent’s hands.
• Keep in touch, literally, with the offensive opponent at all times, allowing no daylight between offense and defense. Work for a "soft touch" and leave wrestling to the wrestlers.
• React quickly to a successful deflection, hustling and denying the opponent a chance to score off the loose ball. The defender’s hard work should result in a turnover, not a turnaround for the offense.

Scout the opponents if possible. Inform and instruct players how to defend the post. This will vary from player to player and game to game. Be very attentive of post play during the game.

Various Methods of Offensive Post Deployment

Defending Post Without Ball

• Beat the offensive post to the "spot." Force the opponent to adjust and set up out of their normal set up position. If the post wants to set up with back to basket in a low position, push high. If the offensive post likes to set up high, force low. Front and deny the passing lane against a good scoring post player. When playing behind the post, place leg between opponent's feet for leverage, and push away from basket.
• Play with agility rather than strength. Be active when defending against a post player. Do not stand flat-footed. Defensive post must adjust position on every pass. Must vary defensive techniques. The offense will eventually adjust if only one defensive technique is employed during the game.
• Play mentally tough. A good defensive post cannot be easily discouraged. Do not allow any direct cut to ball or basket. Disrupt or prevent any on ball post screens, and communicate on off ball screens.
• Play with finesse. Stay low in an "ear on chest" pass denial position. Do not lean on, wrestle or hug the post. On pass into the low post area, do not go for steal unless backside help is available. When defending against the lob pass, go to full chest (face), staying tight with both hands up high.

Basic Techniques Use to Defend the Low Post.

Top Denial Position - If/when ball is above the free throw line extended, post defender assumes a topside post pass denial position ( Illustrated details ).

Post Front Position - If/when ball is on the wing, post defender assumes a post front position (Illustrated Details ).

Base Denial Position - If/when ball is in the corner, post defender assumes a baseline pass denial position ( Illustrated Details ).

Supplemental Techniques of Defending the Post.

Play Behind Post - Play behind against a good offensive rebounder, non-player, when double-teaming or when post is pushed off the lane ( Illustrated Details ).

Post Face Position - Deploy to completely deny the post the ball or when post does not like physical contact ( Illustrated Details ).

Methods for Changing Defensive Post Position

Giving Support To Post.

Defending the High Post Area

SOS Post Disruptions

© 2003 Ernie Woods, HoopTactics