Post Entry Pass

A post entry pass in basketball is the deliberate pass delivered from the perimeter to a post player who has established position in the low post, mid-post, or high post areas, initiating post-up offensive actions that create scoring opportunities through post moves, drawing double teams, or kicking out to open shooters. The post entry pass represents one of basketball's fundamental offensive actions, requiring precise timing, passing angles, touch, and recognition of defensive positioning. Successful post entry passing creates efficient scoring opportunities in high-percentage areas while collapsing defenses and generating open perimeter shots. The ability to consistently deliver accurate post entries separates skilled passers from those who struggle to utilize post players effectively. The fundamental mechanics of post entry passes involve delivering the ball to the post player's target hand, typically the hand furthest from the defender or the hand on the baseline side when posting on the block. The pass must arrive with enough velocity to get past defensive hands but soft enough for the post player to control without fumbling. Bounce passes often work well for post entries because they're harder for defenders to deflect and arrive at a comfortable catching height. However, skip passes, lob passes, and direct passes can all be effective depending on defensive positioning and post player location. Timing of the post entry pass critically affects its success. Passers must recognize the brief windows when post players have established position and are ready to receive the ball. These windows often last only a second or two before defenders adjust or help defense rotates. Delayed entry passes allow defenders to front post players or establish better defensive position. Too-early passes arrive before post players have sealed their defenders, resulting in turnovers or deflections. Developing feel for optimal entry timing requires repetition and communication between passers and post players. Post positioning and sealing determine whether entry passes can be delivered successfully. Post players must establish deep position using legal techniques, seal defenders on their back, and present clear passing targets with their hands. The post player's responsibility includes creating passing angles through positioning and calling for the ball when they have established advantage. Poor positioning, weak seals, or failure to show targets makes delivering entry passes nearly impossible even for skilled passers. The entry pass succeeds through collaboration between passer and post player. Defensive fronting specifically aims to prevent post entry passes by positioning defenders between the post player and the passer. When defenders front, entry passes become extremely difficult as defenders can deflect or intercept passes attempting to reach the post. Offenses counter fronting through lob passes over the defense, passes from different angles that create passing windows, or ball reversal to change the passing angle. The chess match between fronting defense and entry passing creates one of basketball's fundamental tactical battles. Passing angles and floor spacing influence entry pass feasibility and effectiveness. Entries from certain angles are more difficult to defend than others. Wing entries to the low post create natural passing lanes, while entries from the top of the key often face more defensive traffic. Spacing other offensive players appropriately prevents defenders from sagging into passing lanes or providing easy help after entries. Good offensive spacing creates isolation situations for post players after successful entries. Reading defensive position determines what type of entry pass to throw. Against defenders playing behind, direct bounce passes or chest passes work effectively. Against fronting defenders, lob passes or skip passes from different angles become necessary. Against three-quarter defense, passers must recognize whether to throw over the top, bounce it by the defender, or wait for better positioning. This reading and adjustment represents an advanced passing skill that distinguishes elite passers. Fakes and deception enhance entry pass success. Passers can use shot fakes, drive fakes, or pass fakes to other targets to manipulate defensive positioning before delivering the entry. These fakes might cause defenders to front less aggressively, turn their head, or commit to helping on other actions. The brief defensive distraction created by effective fakes opens windows for entry passes that otherwise wouldn't exist. Combining fakes with entry passing requires coordination and basketball IQ. Post entry pass turnovers represent a significant concern that affects whether teams utilize post players. Entries face the risk of deflections, steals, or interceptions from various defensive sources including the primary defender, weak side help, and aggressive denials. Teams that turn the ball over frequently on entry passes may abandon post play entirely despite having capable post players. Reducing entry turnovers through better timing, angles, and execution remains a constant coaching emphasis. Double team triggers often activate after successful post entries, as defenses send help to prevent post scores. Sophisticated offensive systems anticipate these doubles and position shooters to receive kick-out passes from the post. The post entry becomes the first action in a sequence designed to create open threes rather than just a post scoring opportunity. This sequential approach to post entries creates decision-making challenges for defenses about whether and when to double team. High post entries create different opportunities than low post entries. High post entries allow post players to face the basket more easily, make plays as facilitators, and initiate actions like hand-offs, high-low passes, or drives. The angles and defensive positioning differ in the high post, often making entries easier to complete but creating different offensive opportunities afterward. Teams use high post entries to initiate offense rather than just score in the post. Entry passes from the baseline or under the basket create unique challenges and opportunities. These unusual angle entries can bypass fronting defenses and find post players from directions defenders don't anticipate. However, these passes require precise accuracy and touch to avoid turnovers. Teams sometimes execute baseline entries off of backdoor cuts or after offensive rebounds to exploit defensive positioning. Post entry passing drills form a staple of offensive practice sessions. Teams practice entries from various positions, against different defensive looks, and with communication between passers and post players. Repetition develops the timing, accuracy, and reading skills necessary for consistent entries. Many teams dedicate significant practice time to post entry work because its success affects so many offensive possessions. Veteran post players develop techniques for making themselves easy to pass to despite defensive pressure. They use subtle positioning adjustments, clear target hands, vocal communication, and understanding of when they have enough space to receive entries. These refined techniques develop through years of experience and make passing to veteran post players significantly easier than feeding young, less experienced post players. Ball reversal often precedes successful post entries because it shifts defensive positioning and creates new passing angles. After reversing the ball, defenders must adjust their positioning, creating brief windows where entries become easier. Offenses that incorporate ball reversal into their post entry sequences generate higher success rates than those attempting entries from stagnant positions. The movement and defensive adjustment created by reversals opens passing windows. Skip passes directly to the post represent an advanced entry passing technique. Rather than entering from the nearest perimeter player, skip passes from across the court can catch defenses in rotation and create clean entry angles. These passes require excellent passing skill due to the distance and defensive traffic involved but can be highly effective when executed properly. Post player size and catch radius affect entry pass difficulty. Larger post players with long arms present bigger targets and can catch passes despite imperfect delivery. Smaller post players require more precise entry passes delivered exactly to their target hands. Passers must adjust their entry precision based on who they're passing to and their catch ability. Offensive rebounding positioning after entry passes creates secondary opportunities. When entries are made, perimeter players can crash for offensive rebounds anticipating missed post shots. This coordination between entry passing and rebounding positions maximizes offensive efficiency from post possessions whether the initial shot goes in or not. Modern basketball has seen decreased emphasis on post entry passes as offenses have shifted toward perimeter-oriented, spacing-heavy systems. However, post entries remain valuable particularly against smaller defensive lineups, in late-game situations, and for teams with skilled post players. The strategic evolution hasn't eliminated post entry passes but has made them more situational and specialized rather than foundational to every offensive possession.