Basketball Post Moves: 7 Post Moves for Basketball Players

The post is in the area of the basketball court from the free-throw line to the baseline. This area, usually painted a solid color, is known as the paint or the key. There are two post positions here for players: one below the free-throw line and the other close to the basket. The upper area, near the free-throw line, is the high post or upper post, and the area near the basket is known as the low post.

When an offensive player, such as a power forward or a center, gets into position near the basket, they are “posting up.” Post moves are the plays and moves that are possible inside and around the post. After receiving the ball, a post player conducts a post move with the aim of scoring a basket. Post moves include jump shots, jump hooks, fadeaways, and more.

Post moves offer players opportunities for scoring. To improve your post game, practice performing and defending different post moves in scrimmages. Incorporate basketball drills in the post position and practice fundamentals like power dribbles and proper footwork. Mix up your shooting drills to learn how to execute jump shots and fadeaways. Most importantly, practice these moves with a defender.

There are many basketball post moves available to players in the post area. In all the moves, the offensive player will post up before receiving the basketball. Some common post moves include:

1. 1. Baseline jump shot: Many of the greatest basketball players use the baseline jump shot. After receiving the basketball, the player makes a quick shoulder fake, then takes a step and pivots in the other direction, often toward the baseline. Then the player jumps and shoots. The combination of the fake out with the pivot is often enough to give the shooter time and space to make a clean jump shot. Sometimes, players add a fadeaway to give the offensive player a better shot.
2. 2. Fadeaway: The fadeaway is a classic way to score in the post position. When you get the ball, dribble in toward the basket, backing your defender down. Use a shoulder fake to make it appear that you’re going to turn inside to shoot, and then, pivot back the other way and jump. The trick to the fadeaway is that some of your turn and squaring up happens in the air, and you are leaning away from the basket as you shoot. It’s a challenging shot, but very valuable when perfected.
3. 3. Jump hook shot: This post move works best in the low post position. After receiving the pass, make a shoulder fake, then dribble out to create some distance between you and the defender. Then, facing the sideline, bring the ball up along the outside of your body, turning slightly as you rise for a jump. As you lift the ball higher, the inside hand comes off the ball to defend, while the outside shooting arm extends as you jump. Then, flick your wrist to send the ball to the basket with a hook shot.
4. 4. Drop step: This simple low post move can be highly effective but requires a careful reading of the opponent’s feet. After receiving the ball in the low post, dribble to get close up with your defender. If you are already being closely defended when you receive the ball, make sure to do a jump stop so that either foot can be your pivot foot. Then, with your feet close to the defender’s feet, do a drop step, wrapping your foot around the leg and foot of the defender. This move will allow you to pivot around the defender, sealing them off from the basket and using your body to guard the basketball, so you can make a clean shot.
5. 5. Baseline fake and step through: In this move, the shot is taken with a layup, not a jump shot. First, receive the ball in a low, wide stance. Then, shoulder fake to the outside before pivoting toward the baseline. Next, give a shot fake and power dribble toward the center of the post, setting up as if you were going to perform a jump shot. Instead, do a shot fake and use your outside foot to step through and past the defender for a layup.
6. 6. Quick spin: This spin move is a great way to get around your defender. It’s especially useful if the defender is covering you closely, and you can use it as a counter move if the defenders are expecting a different offense. Unlike other post moves, which benefit from a pause before going into the move, this one occurs immediately after receiving the pass: Whichever side has a higher likelihood of success, do a quick spin in the direction of the basket. If you need to dribble, you can do so, but if you are close enough you can take the shot right away. The key is to take advantage of your post defender’s proximity to quickly spin around their weaker side and score.
7. 7. Dream shake: This technique is a great way to mix up your defender. Receive the pass in a low, wide stance, shimmy your shoulders to one side, then pivot all the way around to face the basket. You can also do a shot fake, then pivot toward the basket, then pivot away. When you turn back toward the basket, your defender will expect you to shoot, and the quick reverse pivot means you can take a step back and shoot with additional space.

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