What is the low post in basketball?
The low post is a specific area on the basketball court that is slightly above the basket and just outside of the lane lines, which are borders for the lane.
What are examples of low post offense?
Low post offense consists of actions that players could execute, ultimately to get the ball to the team’s post players, ultimately to create scoring opportunities around the basket.
4 out 1 in example
Within low post offense initiated from a 4 out 1 in set, players could try to feed the post player via high low action or a post entry pass. Also, prior to that, a player in possession of the ball could pass it and cut away to initiate the action.
The example diagrams below showcase these concepts in more detail.
Part 1: Pass and cut away
To start, 1 passes the ball towards the right side wing with 3 as the recipient. Afterwards, 1 cuts away to the left side corner.
5 could potentially receive the ball via a post entry pass from 3 and attempt to quickly score via a low post move while 4 moves towards the top from the left slot.
Part 2: Reversal, high low, and post entry
If 5 did not initially receive the ball, then 3 could reverse it towards the top as 4 receives it.
Next, 5 could duck into the lane and potentially receive the ball from 4 via high low action, which may lead to a quick scoring opportunity. Otherwise, 4 reverses the ball again towards the left side wing into the hands of 2.
As that happens, 5 continues the cut out of the lane towards the left side low post area and could receive the ball from 2. Afterwards, 5 could once again attempt to score via a low post move near the basket.
Give and go example
Within low post offense featuring give and go action, a player could pass the ball to the post player and follow after it, which could lead to a quick scoring opportunity.
Furthermore, as that happens, other players could participate in screening action on the weak side, which could result in an additional scoring option.
The example diagram below demonstrates these concepts in more detail.
To start, 1 performs a dribble entry towards the right side wing. After that, 5 receives the ball from 1.
Next, 1 could execute a low side Laker cut to complete the give and go action.
Following that, 1 could receive the ball again by way of a handoff and score at the rim. Conversely, 1 could throw a kick pass towards the left side corner with 3 as the recipient, leading to a potential three-point shot opportunity.
Alternatively, instead of 1 receiving possession of the ball, 2 could cut to the top via a screen set by 4 and receive the kick pass from 5. That action may also result in a possible three-point shot.
Horns example
Within low post offense initiated from a Horns set, a player could dribble towards the wing via a screen and then pass the ball to another player who cut to the low post.
Moreover, it’s possible to execute screening action that could eventually lead to a secondary post entry opportunity.
The example diagrams below showcase these concepts in more detail.
Part 1: Pick and pop or post entry
To start, 1 dribbles toward the right side wing via a pick set by 4 who also pops to the top area. As that happens, 2 and 3 cut in towards the low post areas while 5 cuts down to the left side mid-post area.
Following that, it’s possible for 3 to receive possession of the ball via a post entry pass from 1. Afterwards, 3 could potentially attempt to score via a low post move. Otherwise, 4 receives the ball from 1.
Part 2: Double screen
Next, 3 cuts toward the left side wing area via a double screen set by 2 and 5.
From there, 3 receives the ball from 4 while 2 cuts through to the right side corner and 5 cuts back toward the left side low post area.
Part 3: Split action
Continuing on, 5 could receive the ball from 3 and attempt to score around the basket via a low post move.
Alternatively, after the post entry pass occurs, 3 could quickly execute a split cut to screen away from the ball.
However, before 4 utilizes the screen, 3 could slip to the basket and receive the ball from 5, possibly resulting in a high percentage layup at the rim.
Triangle example
Within low post offense derived from the triangle action, a wing player could receive possession of the ball and execute a post entry pass.
From there, scoring options may be possible by way of different cuts and screens.
The example diagrams below demonstrate this in more detail.
Part 1: Corner cut and post feed
To begin, 3 receives the ball from 1 who also cuts through to the strong side corner. Additionally, 2 fills the top from the left slot area.
After that, 3 feeds the post, which could result in 5 quickly scoring around the basket via a low post move.
Part 2: Back screen
Next, 4 lifts up to the high post area to set a back screen. From there, 2 uses that screen and cuts to the basket.
Following that, 2 could receive the ball from 5 and score via a layup if that is open.
Otherwise, 2 cuts away from the ball to the weak side corner and eventually lifts to the adjacent wing.
Part 3: Backdoor cut
Afterwards, 4 cuts toward the right side wing to set a screen. However, 3 rejects that screen and executes a backdoor cut towards the basket.
3 could receive the ball from 5 and score by way of a layup if that is open. Otherwise, 3 continues the cut through to the empty left side corner while 4 fills the top.
From that point, 5 looks to score via a low post move.
What is general information about the low post blocks on a basketball court?
The low post blocks can be typically viewed on a basketball court as filled rectangles that are adjacent to the lane lines and their primary purpose is to signify the general location of the low post areas.
From that point, a low post block can be utilized by players, specifically low post players, as a reference on where they should position themselves near the basket during offensive execution against a defensive team.
Generally speaking, low post players should try to position themselves outside of the lane lines above or at least slightly even with the low post block when their back is to the basket, particularly while being guarded by a low post defender.
If a low post player receives the ball above or at least slightly even with the low post block, then this will usually give the low post player the opportunity to execute a variety of low post moves towards the middle near the paint or towards the baseline of the court.
Conversely, if a low post player receives the ball below the low post block, then that same low post player will most likely find themselves either behind the basket or generally in a sub-optimal area near the basket.
If that occurs, this will more than likely become a boon for the defense as the low post player’s scoring options near the basket would probably be limited at best or non-existent at worst.
What is the general difference between the low post and high post?
In terms of general differences between the low post area and high post area; the low post is near the exterior of the lane slightly above the basket while the high post is the general area that surrounds one edge of the free throw line to the other edge, which is also known as the high post elbow.
What is general information on feeding the low post?
Feeding the low post, also referred to as a post entry pass, consists of basketball offensive action in which a perimeter player in possession of the ball throws it to a low post player for potential scoring opportunities near the basket.
Generally speaking, prior to receiving the ball via a post feed, the low post player should establish position slightly above or directly on the low post block and raise one of the hands in the air as a target to receive the ball.
Afterwards, the perimeter player in possession of the ball could throw it to the low post player, typically via an air pass if feasible. Following that, the low post player could then attempt to score via low post moves near the basket.
It should also be noted that if a perimeter on-ball defender implements an above average amount of defensive pressure, particularly with high hands against the offensive perimeter player in possession of the ball, then that same offensive perimeter player could execute a fake pass up high before executing a bounce pass to the low post player if necessary.
What are general defensive tactics that could be used against offensive low post players?
The defensive tactics known as the low post front or the double team could be used against a highly skilled offensive low post player to limit or prevent that same offensive player’s opportunities to score near the basket.
Low post front
The low post front, also referred to as fronting the post, is a defensive tactic that occurs before the low post player receives the ball and it can be used to deny an easy post entry pass.
General weakness to consider
It should be noted that the low post front could become susceptible to the post seal in which the offensive low post player executes a pivot turn to face the basket with the low post defender behind them.
Afterwards, the offensive low post player could receive the ball from a perimeter player, primarily by way of a lob pass over the top of the defender, and then score at the rim with a layup or dunk.
General techniques to front the post
Generally speaking, to front the post, the low post defender will position themselves between the offensive low post player and the perimeter player with the ball.
Additionally, the low post defender will extend an arm into the passing lane between the low post offensive player and the perimeter player.
By placing a hand in the passing lane, this will typically make it much harder for the low post player to easily receive the ball.
Also, at the same time, the perimeter player with the ball would have to throw a more challenging pass over the head of the low post defender to complete the post entry pass.
Furthermore, when fronting the post, the low post defender can execute the fronting stance on the high side (towards the half court) or on the low side (towards the baseline) of the offensive low post player.
The high or low side front could be determined by the location of the ball and/or by the skill sets and vulnerabilities of the offensive low post player.
As an example, if the ball is on the right side wing and/or the offensive low post player prefers to score with their right hand, then the low post defender could establish a low side front.
In that case, the low post defender would place their left side leg and left side extended arm between the offensive low post player and the perimeter player with the ball.
When that occurs, the low post defender is essentially influencing the offensive low post player to catch the ball with their left hand and try to score from the middle area.
From there, if the offensive low post player does attempt to score from the middle, then it might be tougher for that player to score with their non-dominant hand.
Low post double team
The low post double team is a defensive tactic in which the low post offensive player will receive simultaneous defensive pressure from the primary low post defender as well as a secondary defender.
General weakness to consider
The low post double team usually occurs after the offensive low post player receives the ball and because of that, it is generally vulnerable to an offensive player without the ball being left open, at least momentarily.
From that point, the low post player with the ball could pass it to the open offensive player who can then score or make plays for other teammates.
However, it should also be noted that this particular weakness could be diminished to a degree by establishing certain defensive rotations, especially with help defense from the weak side.
General techniques to double team the low post
Generally speaking, before establishing a low post double team, the offensive low post player should first receive the ball and dribble it at least one time.
After that, a secondary defender, preferably from the weak side of the court should move towards the offensive low post player and lock their feet together with the primary defender.
This basically prevents the low post player from being able to execute an escape dribble away from the double team action.
From that point, the primary and secondary defenders should use high hands without fouling against the offensive low post player.
The purpose of the high hands are to hinder the vision of the offensive low post player and increase the difficulty of that same post player to see possible passing options out of the double team.
From that point, the offensive low post player will usually execute one of three actions: turn the ball over, take a bad shot, or pass the ball to another teammate near the perimeter.
If the offensive low post player turns the ball over or takes a bad shot because of the double team, then this would be a beneficial outcome for the defensive team.
Moreover, even if the offensive low post player is able to pass the ball to another teammate, this could still be advantageous for the defensive team, especially if the offensive team prefers to score points via its low post players.