September 20, 2002, Newsletter Issue #76: POST PLAYER DEVELOPMENT

Tip of the Week

Post Players need to develop their strength, body balance, foot quickness, and catching ability.
One of the best drills for Post Players is called the "Mikan Drill" This drill was named after the first great big man in the game--George Mikan and may be the most basic of all big men drills. Start under the basket with the ball. Shoot a short hook shot off the glass going to the right. Turn, retrieve the ball from the net, and shoot a short hook going to the left. This will improve your agility and coordination, and help you use either hand when around the basket.
Repitition is very important. The Post Player should constantly practice "posting up", and making the appropriate move against a defense.
When you are on offense in the low post you need to make the defense play you on just one side. Keep the knees bent -make yourself a “wide” target - DO NOT stand up straight. We want the lower body low - the feet wider than the shoulders - and the upper body up - the post should show his numbers to the passer and give an aggressive target, he should present the picture of a post that wants the ball.
The offense wants to keep contact with the defense and once he has established his defensive position, pin him there and make him stay where he is. Be big and wide and always give a "target hand" so your teammate knows where to pass the ball.
When catching the ball in the low post, always come toward the ball, catching it with a little hop so that you can jump stop upon receiving the pass. This will allow you to be able to move in either direction after receiving the ball. Whenever one of our big men gets the ball, whether he has grabbed a rebound or had the ball passed to him, we want him to immediately chin the ball. This is accomplished by putting the ball under the player´s chin with his hands on either side of the ball and his elbows out. This allows the player to protect the ball, up high away from smaller players, while he decides what move to make with it.
Both for the player and the coach, a big key with big men is patience. Because of their size and the skills required, it will often take a taller youngster more time to develop then a shorter player. Those working with these taller players have to be patient and encouraging. If allowed to develop at his own pace, he may blossom into a truly outstanding player.

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