Quiz the Coach - How Can I Get Stronger In The Post?

So ya dig sports but need some help with your game? Don't understand some of the rules of football, basketball or soccer? Got a gripe about P.E. class, teammates or coaches, or anything? Why not Quiz the Coach? The Kidzworld Coach can help ya work out team problems or give ya tips and advice to improve your game - all ya gotta do is ask!

Hey Coach,
I'm 5'10 in the 7th grade and should be a dominant force in the post, but instead I am one of the best three-point shooters. Do you have any suggestions on how to get stronger in the post?
defensiveend1

Hey defensiveend1,

First of all, there's nothing wrong with a being a big guy who's a strong three-point shooter, rather than a great post player. There are lots of big guys in the NBA, like Dirk Nowitzki and Pau Gasol, who are bigger threats from behind the three-point line than in the paint. While it's important for you to become stronger in the post, make sure you continue to work on your outside shooting as well.

Post players often take longer to develop their game than guards or small forwards - especially young players, who are going through growth spurts and adjusting to changes in their body size. The keys to becoming a strong post player are repetition and patience. You must learn and master the basic post moves: the jump hook, the drop step, the turn around jump shot, the rip through (up and under) and a spin move. By practicing your footwork and fundamentals every day, performing post moves in a game situation will become automatic.

Here are a couple of drills for post players to help your footwork, agility and conditioning:
Rapid Fire Richochet:

Start off on one of the blocks and have a coach or friend stay at the top of the key.

Pass the ball to the player at the top of the key, then follow your pass and touch the ball in the player's hands.

Coach or friend richochets ball off the backboard. Player rebounds the ball, scores with a post move, passes the ball back out, follows the pass and touches the ball in the coach's hands.

Repeat this drill five times. This will help you work on conditioning, rebounding and your offensive post moves.

Tap, Catch, Score

Player has the ball in the post with both hands. Jump up touch the backboard with the ball three times.

Pass the ball out to a coach or partner at the wing.

Player sprints to the three-point line, then heads to the middle of the key, squares up for a pass, catches the ball, then scores with a power post move.

Practice this drill from both sides of the backboard.

Do you have a question on sports, P.E. class, fitness or health? Send it to the Kidzworld Coach. Keep in mind peeps, the Kidzworld Coach isn't a doctor or a professional athlete or anything like that. He's just a dude who digs sports, plays 'em and knows a lot about 'em. You should always talk to your 'rents, a doctor or your school gym teacher before starting a new sport or a new exercise.

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