What is the high post in basketball?
The high post is a specific area on the basketball court which begins from one edge of the free throw line to the other edge in addition to the area that is between the free throw line and the top of the three-point line.
Furthermore, the edges of the free throw line are typically known as the high post elbows or simply, the elbow areas of the court.
How to comprehend the player roles and diagrams on this page
In relation to any diagrams below, each of the offensive players are generally represented by the standard basketball positions in number format, unless otherwise noted.
In essence, 1 is the point guard; 2 is the shooting guard; 3 is the small forward; 4 is the power forward; 5 is the center.
Furthermore, in terms of a brief legend for the diagrams:
- Black Dot or Small Circle: The black dot or small circle represents the basketball.
- Solid Arrow: The solid arrow indicates movement or a cut on the basketball court.
- Dotted Arrow: The dotted arrow represents a basketball pass.
- Wavy Arrow: The wavy arrow indicates dribbling.
- T-Shaped Symbol: The T-shaped symbol signifies a screen, also known as a pick.
- Double pipe symbol: The double pipe symbol denotes handoff action.
What are examples of high post offense?
A player could receive possession of the ball while filling the high post area. Afterwards, various scoring opportunities could be produced near the basket or around perimeter areas of the court.
1-4 high example
Within an initial 1-4 high set, a player could pass the ball into the high post, potentially receive it again via a handoff, and score at the rim.
Afterwards, a high post player could execute a dribble handoff with another player on one side of the court while a stagger screen occurs on the opposite side.
The example diagrams below illustrate this concept.
Part 1: Handoff
To begin, 5 receives the ball from 1 while located at the right side high post elbow area. Next, 1 follows that pass and looks to receive the ball again from 5 via the handoff.
If 1 gains possession of the ball again, then 1 can attack the rim by dribbling towards the basket looking to score via a high percentage layup.
Otherwise, if 1 does not receive the ball via the handoff, then 1 can continue the cut towards the right side low post area, represented by the gray arrow.
Part 2: DHO and stagger screen
Continuing on, 5 performs a dribble handoff, also known as a DHO, with 3 near the right side wing area.
Also, as that DHO action is happening, 1 cuts up toward the left side wing area via the stagger screen set by 2 and 4.
Afterwards, 1 could receive the ball from 3 and take the three-point shot, assuming that is open.
Horns example
Within horns offense, a player could receive the ball in the high post while another player cuts to the basket via screening action.
Furthermore, a flex screen could occur or the high post player could execute dribble handoff action, leading to additional scoring opportunities.
The example diagrams below demonstrate these concepts.
Part 1: Wide pin down and curl cut
To start, 4 receives the ball from 1 at the left side high post elbow area. From there, 2 executes a curl cut to the basket by way of a wide pin down screen set by 1.
After that, 2 could receive the ball from 4, which could lead to a high percentage field goal near the basket.
Otherwise, if 2 does not receive the ball, then 2 can continue through to the right side low post area.
Part 2: Flex and dribble handoff
Next, 3 can cut to the basket via the flex screen set by 2 and receive the ball from 4, which could lead to another scoring opportunity around the basket.
However, if 3 is not open, then 3 continues through to the left side corner. Following that, 4 performs a dribble handoff with 1 and while that occurs, 2 cuts toward the right side wing area via the down screen set by 5.
From there, 2 could receive the ball from 1 and take the three-point shot if that is open. Nonetheless, if 2 is not open after the screen the screener action, then 1 has the option to dribble drive from the top and make a play if necessary, indicated by the gray wavy arrow.
Princeton point series example
Within the Princeton offense point series, a player could receive the ball in the high post. Afterwards, another player could reject a screen, cut to the basket, and receive the ball from the high post player.
Furthermore, another player could backdoor cut and receive the ball from the high post player, leading to an alternative scoring option.
The example diagrams below illustrate these concepts in more detail.
Part 1: Cut through and flash
To begin, 1 dribbles toward the top, which is also a signal that 2 should cut through to the right side corner.
Additionally, as that happens, 5 flashes across towards the left side elbow area and receives the ball from 1 while 4 flattens to the left side corner.
Part 2: Screen away and rejection
Next, 1 cuts away from the ball to set a screen in the general vicinity of the right side high post area.
From there, 3 initially cuts toward the screen as if to utilize it but ultimately rejects it and executes a backdoor cut to the basket.
Afterwards, 3 can receive the ball from 5, which could result in a high percentage layup. Otherwise, 3 can continue the cut out towards the left side corner while 4 lifts to fill the empty left side wing.
Also, 1 can pop back to the right side slot following the screening action.
Part 3: Backdoor cut
After the previous actions, 5 can dribble towards 1, which is a signal for a backdoor cut. From there, 1 could receive the ball from 5 and score at the rim via a layup.
Alternatively, 2 or 3 could receive possession of the ball via a kick pass from 1. Following that, 2 or 3 could take the three-point jump shots, assuming those are available.