Playing in the post can be rough and physical in basketball. If you play the forward or center position and want to excel you have to be able to score while you get bumped around in the lane. This article covers three very effective drills that will prepare you for the physical play in the post and help you become an effective scorer down low.

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Three Low Post Drills to Help Players Become More Physical-hoopskills.com
Three Low Post Drills to Help Players
Become More Physical
-by Coach Brian Schofield
http://www.hoopskills.com
Playing in the post can be rough and physical. If you
play the forward or center position and want to
excel you have to be able to score while you get
bumped around in the lane. This article covers
three very effective drills that will prepare you for
the physical play in the post and help you become
an effective scorer down low.
2 Man Rebound & Post-Up Drill
Posting up is the term used when an offensive
player tries to solidify position close to the basket. A
great drill that practices this fundamental is the 2
man rebound & post-up drill. It takes two players
starting out side by side on the dotted line near the center of the basket. A player
will take a shot from either wing that is intentionally missed.
As the shot goes up both players will fight for positioning. Whoever gets the
rebound will immediately make a solid outlet pass to the wing player who shot the
ball and then post-up near the basket.
The ball is then passed to that player where he attempts to score. This drill is very
physical and demanding. Have the two posts rotate out to rest and try not to pit
the same ones up against each other consecutively. When this happens it gets
more and more physical and less productive.
Roll and Finish
Big players tend to draw a lot of attention down low and are often yelled at to "go
strong". What does that mean? First let's cover what it doesn't mean. It doesn't
mean to float up a shot or a runner at the basket. It doesn't mean to shoot a fade-

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Three Low Post Drills to Help Players Become More Physical-hoopskills.com
away or to shy away from contact. It means to get the ball, gather yourself and
then go right up for the lay-up.
In college, we all did a drill called roll and finish or roll and flush for the players who
could dunk. We would form two lines at the top of the key on either side and roll
the ball down the key toward the basket. Each of us would go after the ball very
hard and once we got it we would maintain a nice low base and then explode up
for a power lay-up or dunk. Each of us would run through the drill once alone
before the next person in line would follow us down the lane to contest the shot.
They weren't trying to block the shot, but to only be the defensive presence. The
drill can be modified if you want by adding a pump fake or a quick drop-step. The
drill will teach players to finish strong around the basket, maintain a nice solid
base, not shy away from contact and how to finish when someone does come in
contact with you. It is a great drill if it is performed correctly.
Jungle in the Paint
This is a drill that I love to instill when I think my players aren't being tough or
aggressive in the post. It involves 3 players. It can be any 3 players and doesn't
have to be only post players. Have the 3 players form a half-circle surrounding the
hoop and shoot the ball. Players get 1 point for a rebound and 2 points if they are
able to put the ball back in to the hoop. First one to 11 wins.
I love this drill because it is very physical and guys will get hammered. The good
thing is, they will get comfortable with that feeling. They will learn how to finish
strong around the basket and how to make shots while being fouled. I don't allow
dribbling but I've seen other coaches allow one dribble. The reason I don't is
because I believe that big players that dribble by the basket are asking for trouble.
Players should be able to gather themselves without having to dribble to do it.
Don't let the defense foul like crazy but allow some physical play and don't let
offense call fouls.