Post Move

A post move in basketball refers to the offensive techniques and maneuvers executed by players positioned in the low post or high post areas, typically with their back to the basket, designed to create scoring opportunities through footwork, positioning, fakes, and finishing skills against post defenders. Post moves represent some of basketball's most fundamental yet sophisticated offensive techniques, combining physicality, finesse, footwork, and touch to score efficiently in crowded spaces near the basket. The art of post play has evolved throughout basketball history, adapting to changing defensive strategies, rule modifications, and the emergence of more versatile offensive systems, yet it remains a crucial skill set that provides reliable scoring and creates strategic advantages. The foundational position for executing post moves involves establishing deep post position, typically on either block near the basket. Players work to seal their defenders on their back using body positioning, footwork, and physicality within legal limits. This positioning battle before receiving the entry pass often determines whether post moves will succeed. Effective post players use their body, particularly their lower body and backside, to maintain space between themselves and defenders while keeping defenders pinned behind them. The ability to establish and maintain this position against resistance separates skilled post players from those easily defended. Drop step moves represent one of the most fundamental and effective post techniques. After receiving the entry pass, the post player pivots, dropping one foot toward the baseline or middle while turning their shoulders toward the basket. This move creates space from the defender and positions the offensive player for a close-range shot or layup. The drop step can be executed toward either the baseline or the middle, depending on defensive positioning and the player's positioning relative to the basket. Mastering the drop step in both directions makes post players difficult to defend, as they can attack regardless of how defenders position themselves. Jump hooks represent classic post moves that combine protection, touch, and shooting over defenders. The jump hook involves the post player stepping away from the defender, jumping off one foot while facing sideways to the basket, and shooting with one hand in a sweeping arc motion. This technique keeps the ball away from shot-blockers while creating a high release point that's difficult to contest. Great post players develop jump hooks with both hands, allowing them to attack from either side of the basket. The jump hook's effectiveness comes from its combination of distance from the defender and high release point. Up-and-under moves exemplify the use of fakes and counter-moves in post play. The offensive player makes an initial move such as a shot fake or pump fake, reads the defender's reaction, and then counters underneath or around the defender's attempt to contest. If the defender jumps to block the initial fake, the post player ducks under and finishes with a layup or short shot. If the defender doesn't bite on the fake, the post player can complete their initial shooting motion. This two-part sequence demonstrates the chess-match nature of post play, where success often depends on reading and reacting to defensive responses. Face-up moves from the post involve the offensive player catching the entry pass and immediately turning to face the basket, creating a threat to drive, shoot, or pass. This face-up approach combines post positioning with perimeter skills, particularly effective for versatile forwards who can shoot mid-range jumpers or attack closeouts. The face-up game expands the post player's options beyond traditional back-to-basket moves, creating decision-making challenges for defenders who must respect both the drive and shot. Spin moves in the post involve the offensive player pivoting completely around using the defender's positioning against them. After receiving the entry pass, the post player begins a drop step in one direction, then spins back the opposite way when the defender reacts, creating space for a shot. The spin move's effectiveness relies on proper footwork, maintaining dribble if needed, and timing the spin to exploit defensive overreaction. Excessive spinning can lead to travels or offensive fouls if executed improperly, requiring precision and practice. Shimmy and shake moves use subtle shoulder and body fakes to create small amounts of space before shooting. These moves are less dramatic than spins or drop steps but highly effective when post players have established deep position. Quick shoulder fakes, ball fakes, and head fakes cause defenders to commit their weight or positioning, allowing the offensive player to counter into open shooting space. These subtle moves often separate elite post scorers from average ones, as they require exceptional body control and understanding of defensive reactions. Power moves emphasize physicality and strength over finesse, using body positioning and force to score through contact. These moves involve the post player gathering the ball, establishing position with their body, and powering up through defenders to finish at the rim. Power post play typically draws fouls as defenders struggle to stop the physical drive to the basket. Players who excel at power moves combine strength with the ability to finish through contact and convert and-one opportunities. Countermoves and reading defensive help represent advanced post-play concepts. Skilled post players recognize when help defense is coming and adjust their moves accordingly, either scoring quickly before help arrives, passing to open teammates when help commits, or countering into space vacated by helping defenders. This recognition and adjustment ability transforms post play from purely individual scoring into a component of team offense that creates advantages throughout the halfcourt set. Footwork fundamentals underpin all effective post moves. Precise pivot foot discipline, explosive first steps, proper positioning of feet for balance and power, and understanding of legal and illegal movements all determine post-move execution quality. Post players must develop ambidextrous footwork, comfortable using either foot as the pivot and executing moves in either direction. This bilateral skill development requires extensive practice and attention to technical details. Finishing skills and touch determine whether post moves result in scores. Post players must develop soft touch on close-range shots, ability to use the glass from various angles, and the feel for banking shots off the backboard. Finishing through contact, adjusting shots around length, and converting and-ones all require practiced touch combined with strength and body control. The best post players make difficult finishes look routine through superior touch and finishing technique. Entry pass reception represents a critical but often overlooked component of successful post moves. Post players must present good targets with their hands, call for the ball at optimal moments, and secure entry passes despite defensive pressure. Poor reception or inability to catch difficult passes limits post-move opportunities regardless of footwork or finishing skills. Teaching post players to receive entry passes under various conditions and defensive pressure enables them to execute their moves. Defensive strategies specifically designed to counter post moves include fronting, denying entry passes, double-teaming after catches, and forcing baseline drives into help defense. As post players develop their move repertoires, defenses adapt with increasingly sophisticated counters. This ongoing tactical evolution between post offense and post defense has shaped basketball strategy development throughout the game's history. Modern basketball's evolution has changed how post moves fit into offensive systems. While traditional low-post play has decreased due to spacing and three-point emphasis, post moves remain valuable in specific situations and for particular player types. Versatile big men now combine post moves with face-up games, three-point shooting, and passing, creating more complete offensive packages. The post game has adapted rather than disappeared, incorporating modern spacing principles while maintaining traditional effectiveness. Practice and skill development for post moves requires repetitive drilling of footwork patterns, finishing techniques, and reading defensive reactions. Post players work extensively on moves from both blocks, using either hand, and against various defensive looks. Film study helps players understand defensive tendencies and improve their reading and countering skills. The commitment to developing comprehensive post games separates players who can score reliably in the post from those with limited move repertoires. Body control and physical conditioning enable effective post-move execution. Post play demands strength to establish position, balance to execute moves under contact, and flexibility to contort the body for finishes. Core strength particularly impacts post effectiveness, as it provides stability for moves and finishing through contact. Post players invest significant training time in developing the physical attributes necessary for high-level post play. Basketball IQ and decision-making separate great post players from merely skilled ones. Knowing which moves work in specific situations, reading defensive positioning and help, and understanding when to score versus pass all require developed basketball intelligence. The best post players make optimal decisions quickly, processing defensive information and executing appropriate counters instinctively through experience and study.