Post Scoring

Post scoring in basketball refers to offensive techniques and strategies employed by players who operate with their backs to the basket in the low post, mid-post, or high post areas, using a variety of moves to create and convert scoring opportunities close to the rim. This traditional form of basketball offense has been fundamental to the game since its inception, featuring prominently in the playing styles of many of the sport's greatest players including Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Hakeem Olajuwon, Shaquille O'Neal, Tim Duncan, and Kobe Bryant. Post scoring encompasses a diverse array of skills including footwork, body positioning, shot creation, finishing ability, and decision-making, making it one of basketball's most technically demanding and strategically significant offensive skill sets. The fundamental principle underlying effective post scoring is establishing and maintaining advantageous positioning close to the basket before receiving the ball. Post scorers must first win the position battle against their defender, using strength, footwork, and leverage to secure deep position in the painted area. Once positioned favorably, they call for the ball using hand targets or verbal communication, receiving entry passes from perimeter teammates. The combination of proximity to the basket and positional advantage creates high-percentage scoring opportunities that force defenses to commit extra resources to prevent easy baskets. The technical components of post scoring include an extensive repertoire of moves designed to create separation from defenders and generate clean looks at the basket. The drop step, one of the most fundamental post moves, involves the offensive player taking a long step toward the basket while simultaneously pivoting to face the rim, creating space and a direct path to the basket. The jump hook, popularized by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's unstoppable skyhook, allows post scorers to shoot over taller defenders by releasing the ball at the apex of their jump with a sweeping arm motion. The up-and-under counters overaggressive defenders who bite on shot fakes, allowing the post scorer to fake a shot, wait for the defender to leave their feet, then step through for an easy finish. Footwork mastery separates elite post scorers from average ones, as proper foot placement and movement create the angles and spacing necessary for successful shot attempts. Post players must develop proficiency with both their right and left pivot feet, allowing them to attack either direction regardless of which foot is planted. The ability to execute quick, decisive footwork while maintaining balance and power enables post scorers to create separation in the limited space available in the paint. Hakeem Olajuwon's Dream Shake exemplified elite post footwork, combining multiple fakes, pivots, and directional changes into seamless sequences that left defenders helpless. Reading the defense represents a crucial cognitive aspect of post scoring, as effective post players must quickly assess how defenders position themselves and select appropriate counters. If the defender plays behind with pressure, a quick drop step might create an easy basket. If the defender fronts aggressively, a lob pass might be available. If the defender overplays one shoulder, attacking the opposite side creates advantages. This constant cat-and-mouse game requires pattern recognition and decision-making speed developed through thousands of repetitions against various defensive approaches. Physical strength and body control are essential for post scoring success, as players must create and maintain positioning against defensive pressure while executing technical moves. Post scorers use their bodies to shield the ball from defenders, absorb contact while shooting, and maintain balance throughout their movements. Players like Shaquille O'Neal dominated through overwhelming physical advantages, using their strength to simply power through defenders for dunks and layups. Other players like Tim Duncan succeeded through precise technique and fundamental soundness rather than pure physicality, demonstrating that post scoring success can be achieved through different pathways. The mid-range game complements low-post scoring, giving post players additional options when defenses collapse or deny deep position. Post players who can hit turnaround jumpers, fadeaways, and face-up shots from the mid-post area become nearly impossible to defend, as defenders must respect both the drive to the basket and the jump shot. Kobe Bryant, despite being a wing player, developed an elite post game that featured exceptional footwork and a deadly turnaround fadeaway, showing how post scoring skills can be valuable for players at any position. Passing out of the post transforms good post players into great ones, as the ability to read double teams and find open teammates prevents defenses from simply sending help without consequence. When post scorers attract double teams, they must quickly identify which teammate the help defender left and deliver accurate passes for open shots. Post players with excellent court vision like Nikola Jokic and Chris Webber made their teams significantly more dangerous by serving as offensive hubs who could score or facilitate depending on how defenses reacted. The evolution of basketball toward perimeter-oriented play has reduced the frequency of traditional post scoring compared to previous eras, but the skill remains valuable for several reasons. Post scoring provides shot diversity that prevents defenses from focusing exclusively on perimeter defense, creates foul-drawing opportunities that put opponents in foul trouble and generate free throws, and offers reliable offense in late-game situations when defenses are locked in and perimeter shots become difficult. Teams with credible post scoring threats maintain offensive advantages that purely perimeter teams lack. Defensive strategies for containing post scoring have evolved alongside offensive techniques. Common approaches include fronting to deny entry passes, playing three-quarter denial to prevent easy catches while maintaining lob awareness, sending double teams from the weak side when the post player catches the ball, and using help defenders to dig down and strip the ball when post players dribble. Each defensive approach has vulnerabilities that skilled post scorers exploit, creating an ongoing tactical battle between offense and defense. The pick-and-roll revolution in modern basketball has created new contexts for post scoring, with big men who set ball screens often receiving the ball in post position as they roll to the basket or seal their defenders after screens. This screening-into-post-scoring sequence has become a staple of contemporary offense, with players like Anthony Davis and Karl-Anthony Towns excelling at converting these opportunities. The combination of traditional post moves with modern pick-and-roll actions demonstrates how post scoring has adapted rather than disappeared as basketball has evolved. Post scoring from the high post expands the concept beyond traditional low-post play, with players operating around the free-throw line extended. High-post scoring creates different spacing dynamics and passing angles, allowing post scorers to face up and drive or shoot from mid-range. Players like Dirk Nowitzki operated extensively from the high post, using their shooting ability to draw defenders away from the basket and create driving lanes. This versatility in post positioning prevents defenses from loading up in any one area. Foul drawing is an inherent advantage of post scoring, as the physical nature of post play and proximity to the basket lead to significant contact that officials often call as defensive fouls. Post scorers who master the art of creating contact and demonstrating that contact to officials get to the free-throw line at high rates, providing efficient scoring and putting opposing big men in foul trouble. This foul-drawing ability extends post scorers' value beyond their field goal percentage, as free throws earned contribute significantly to their overall offensive impact. Conditioning and durability challenges accompany post scoring, as the physical demands of battling for position and absorbing contact throughout games take significant tolls on players' bodies. Post players must develop strength to compete in the paint while maintaining the conditioning necessary to perform late in games and across entire seasons. The repetitive physical stress on joints, particularly knees and backs, makes injury prevention and management crucial for post players' longevity. Coaching and skill development for post scoring require specialized instruction, as the techniques differ substantially from perimeter skills. Many teams employ post play coaches who work specifically with big men on footwork, moves, and positioning. Film study helps players recognize defensive tendencies and develop counters for specific opponents. Repetition through drills that simulate game conditions builds the muscle memory necessary for executing moves under pressure and contact. The psychological demands of post scoring include patience to work for good position, confidence to demand the ball and attack aggressively, and resilience to continue fighting for position even when passes don't come or shots don't fall. Post players must maintain aggression throughout games despite the physical and mental fatigue that accumulates from constant battling. The mental toughness required for effective post scoring often separates players with similar physical tools, as the position demands unwavering belief and persistent effort.