Low Post Disruptions
The importance of individual post defense cannot be over emphasized. However, sound individual post defense can be augment with post traps at times to insure total disrupt of the inside post up game. Fronting, Base Go Trap, Go Top, Wing Go, Holding, 2-3 Zone, and Diamond & One combination defense, all provide strategic weapons to combat a strong post up game.
Seven Effective Ways to Disrupt a Strong Post Up Game
| Front | Go Base | Go Top | Go Wing | Hold | Zone | Diamond & One |
Post Front DisruptionFronting the post is the primary way to disrupt the low post.
Use the post front to deny a good post the ball. In fronting the post, it minimizes the number of inside post passes and, as a result, limits the number of offensive touches and shots in the low post area. Therefore, fronting the post must be given high priority during practice times.
When the ball is on the wing, the post defender assumes a post front position. Lock up the post by sitting down on the opponent's thigh, keeping one arm extended high waving in the passing lane. Hold other arm low in contact with opponent's leg. Bend knees and force the opponent back into the three-second area. Keep the back foot 12" behind the opponent's foot in order to prevent the post from sealing off the defender for a reversal pass. This will also enable the defender to box out on any outside shot attempts.
Post Lob Rotations (Right Side)
Phase 1: Trap on Lob Pass.
When wing O2 makes a lob pass into O5 posting up, defender X4, in the low Helpside I position, rotates over and double teams O5 with X5. Defender X4 should take an offensive charge whenever possible. Defender X3 drops to low Helpside I position against O4 and X1 assumes a high Helpside position ready to closeout to either O1 or O3. O2 assumes a pass denial position against O2. All players rotate simultaneously on pass.
Phase 2. Pass Out of Post Trap.
Note: All rotations occur as ball leaves passer's hands.
When O5 passes the ball out to O1, X1 closes out quickly to O1, pushing O1 toward sideline pushpoint while X3 closes out to a pass denial position against open O3. X4 rotates back to O4, X5 stays with O5, and X2 assumes a pass denial position against O2. When matched up all of the basic defensive fundamentals apply.
Skip Pass. When O5 makes a skip pass out to O3 on weakside wing, X1 closes out quickly to O1, pushing O3 to sideline check point. Defender X3 assumes a pass denial position on O4 and X2 closes out to a pass denial position on O1. X4 stays with O5 and X5 steps up to a mid I Helpside position against O2.
Post Lob Rotations (Left Side)
Phase 1: Trap on Lob Pass.
When wing O2 makes a lob pass into O5 posting up, defender X4, in the low Helpside I position, rotates over and double teams O5 with X5. Defender X4 should take an offensive charge whenever possible. Defender X3 drops to low Helpside I position against O4 and X1 assumes a high Helpside position ready to closeout to either O1 or O3. O2 assumes a pass denial position against O2. All players rotate simultaneously on pass.
Phase 2. Pass Out of Post Trap.
When O5 passes the ball out to O1, X1 closes out quickly to O1, pushing O1 toward sideline pushpoint while X3 closes out to a pass denial position against open O3. X4 rotates back to O4, X5 stays with O5, and X2 assumes a pass denial position against O2. When matched up all of the basic defensive fundamentals apply.
Skip Pass. When O5 makes a skip pass out to O3 on weakside wing, X1 closes out quickly to O1, pushing O3 to sideline check point. Defender X3 assumes a pass denial position on O4 and X2 closes out to a pass denial position on O1. X4 stays with O5 and X5 steps up to a mid I Helpside position against O2.
"Base Go"- Low Post TrapMost used post double team option.
The Go Base post trap scenario is used most often for double teaming the offensive low post. It used whenever the offensive post player is moved off the low block area or on a coach's call in the deep low post area when a 3/4 high side post pass denial is utilized or the defensive player is late in fronting the post.
Defensive player X2 crowds the passer O2 with both hands up exerting maximum pressure on the shot or pass while forcing O2 to baseline checkpoint. It is essential that the post defender turns the offensive post to the baseline on catch. The low Helpside I defender has backside "Lob Pass" responsibility, and quickly rotates along baseline to "Lock Up" the post in a hard double team on the release of the pass.
Post Trap: "Go Base" (Right Side)
Post defender X5 pushes O5 out from the block area and then assumes a high side pass denial position in attempt to deflect or disrupt any pass into the low post.
Phase 1. Hard Double Team
When wing O2 passes inside to O5 posting up, X5 pushes O5 to baseline. Defender X4, in the low Helpside I position, rotates over and double teams O5 with X5. Defender X3 drops to the low Helpside I position against O4, and X1 assumes a high Helpside I position ready to closeout to either O1 or O3. O2 assumes a pass denial position against O2. All players rotate simultaneously on pass.
Phase 2. Pass Out of Post Trap.
When O5 passes the ball out to O1, X1 closes out quickly to O1, pushing O1 toward sideline pushpoint while X3 closes out to a pass denial position against open O3. Defender X4 rotates back to O4, X5 stays with O5, and X2 assumes a pass denial position against O2. Once matched up all of the basic defensive fundamentals apply.
Skip Pass. When O5 makes a skip pass out to O3 on weakside wing, X1 closes out quickly, pushing O3 to sideline pushpoint. Defender X2 rotates over and assumes a pass denial position on O1. Defender X3 fronts post O4 while X4 assumes a low Helpside I position on O5. X5 steps up and assumes a mid Helpside I position against O2. Defenders X4 and X5 should invert when possible.
Note: All rotations occur as ball leaves passer's hands.
Post Trap: "Go Base" (Left Side)
Post defender X5 pushes O5 out from the block area and then assumes a high side pass Denial SNUGGLE position in attempt to deflect or disrupt any pass into the low post.
Phase 1. Hard Double Team
When wing O2 passes inside to O5 posting up, X5 pushes O5 to baseline. Defender X4, in the low Helpside I position, rotates over and double teams O5 with X5. Defender X3 drops to the low Helpside I position against O4, and X1 assumes a high Helpside I position ready to closeout to either O1 or O3. O2 assumes a pass denial position against O2. All players rotate simultaneously on pass.
Phase 2. Pass Out of Post Trap.
When O5 passes the ball out to O1, X1 closes out quickly to O1, pushing O1 toward sideline pushpoint while X3 closes out to a pass denial position against open O3. Defender X4 rotates back to O4, X5 stays with O5, and X2 assumes a pass denial position against O2. Once matched up all of the basic defensive fundamentals apply.
Skip Pass. When O5 makes a skip pass out to O3 on weakside wing, X1 closes out quickly, pushing O3 to sideline pushpoint. Defender X2 rotates over and assumes a pass denial position on O1. Defender X3 fronts post O4 while X4 assumes a low Helpside I position on O5. X5 steps up and assumes a mid Helpside I position against O2. Defenders X4 and X5 should invert when possible.
Note: All rotations occur as ball leaves passer's hands.
"Go Top"- Low Post TrapUsed when low post has tendency to turn into the middle.
The "Go Top" is a secondary trap rotation that can be deployed as a change up to confuse the offensive players or when the post defender is having fronting problems due to weak ball pressure being exerted on the passer or weakside clear outs. The Go Top can be very effective when the offensive post has a tendency to turn into the middle after receiving the ball. In the Go Top rotation, the high Helpside I defender releases quickly on the post pass release and double teams the post. The post defender turns the offensive post into the middle and into the double team
Post Trap: "Go Top" (Right Side)
Post defender X5 pushes O5 out from the block area and then assumes a low side pass Denial position in attempt to deflect or disrupt any pass into the low post.
Phase 1. Hard Double Team
When wing O2 passes inside to O5 posting up, X5 pushes O5 to middle. Defender X3, in the mid Helpside I position, rotates over and double teams O5 with X5. X4 maintains a ow Helpside I position against O4. Defender X1 assumes a high Helpside I position ready to closeout to either O1 or O3, and X2 assumes a pass denial position against O2. All players rotate simultaneously on pass.
Phase 2. Pass Out of Post Trap.
When O5 passes out of the trap to O1, all five players must rotate as the ball leaves the passer's hands. X1 closes out quickly to O1, pushing O1 toward sideline pushpoint while X4 closes out to open O3. X5 rotates over to O4, X3 stays with O5, and X2 assumes a pass denial position against O2.
Skip Pass. When O5 makes a skip pass out to O3, X1 closes out pushing O3 toward sideline pushpoint. Defender X4 assumes a post fronts O4. Defender X2 quickly rotates over to a pass denial position on O1. X5 stays with O5 assuming a low Helpside I position. X3 steps up into a mid Helpside I position on O2. All players rotate simultaneously on pass.
Post Trap: "Go Top" (Left Side)
Post defender X5 pushes O5 out from the block area and then assumes a low side pass Denial SNUGGLE position in attempt to deflect or disrupt any pass into the low post.
Phase 1. Hard Double Team
When wing O2 passes inside to O5 posting up, X5 pushes O5 to middle. Defender X3, in the mid Helpside I position, rotates down and double teams O5 with X5. X4 maintains a low Helpside I position against O4. Defender X1 assumes a high Helpside I position ready to closeout to either O1 or O3, and X2 assumes a pass denial position against O2.
Phase 2. Pass Out of Post Trap.
When O5 passes out of the trap to O1, all five players must rotate as the ball leaves the passer's hands. X1 closes out quickly to O1, pushing O1 toward sideline pushpoint while X4 closes out to open O3. X5 rotates over to O4, X3 stays with O5, and X2 assumes a pass denial position against O2.
Skip Pass. When O5 makes a skip pass out to O3, X1 closes out pushing O3 toward sideline pushpoint. Defender X4 assumes a post fronts O4. Defender X2 quickly rotates over to a pass denial position on O1. X5 stays with O5 assuming a low Helpside I position. X3 steps up into a mid Helpside I position on O2. Once matched up all basic defensive fundamentals apply.
Note: All closeout rotations occur as ball leaves passer's hands.
"Go Wing"- Low Post TrapThe "Go Wing" is a secondary trap rotation that can be deployed as a change up to confuse the offensive players or when the post defender is having fronting problems due to weak ball pressure being exerted on the passer or weakside clear outs. The Go Top can be very effective when the offensive wing is a poor outside shooter.
Post Trap: "Go Wing" (Right Side)
When Post defender X5 gets caught or plays behind O5 in the low post area, X5 immediately pushes O5 off the block. Wing X2 goes with the pass and double teams O5.
Phase 1. Hard Double Team.
When wing O2 passes inside to O5 posting up, X5 pushes O5 off the block. Defender X2 drops off O2 and double teams O5 with X5. X1 rotates to O2 and X3 assumes a high Helpside I position ready to closeout to either O1 or O3. X4 maintains a low Helpside I position against O4. All players rotate simultaneously on pass.
Phase 2. Pass Out of Post Trap.
When O5 passes the ball out to O1, X3 closes out quickly to O1, pushing O1 toward sideline pushpoint. X4 closes out to a pass denial position against open O3. X5 rotates to low post O4. Defender X2 stays with O5, and X1 assumes a pass denial position against O2.
Skip Pass. When O5 makes a skip pass out to O3 on weakside wing, X3 closes out quickly pushing O3 to sideline pushpoint. Defender X4 fronts post O4 and X1 rotates out to a pass denial position on O1. X5 assumes a low Helpside I position on O5 and X2 steps up into a mid Helpside I position against O2.
Note: All rotations occur as ball leaves passer's hands. Once matched up all of the basic defensive fundamentals apply.
Post Trap: "Go Wing" (Left Side)
When Post defender X5 gets caught or plays behind O5 in the low post area, X5 immediately pushes O5 off the block. Wing X2 goes with the pass and double teams O5.
Phase 1. Hard Double Team.
When wing O2 passes inside to O5 posting up, X5 pushes O5 off the block. Defender X2 drops off O2 and double teams O5 with X5. X1 rotates to O2 and X3 assumes a high Helpside I position ready to closeout to either O1 or O3. X4 maintains a low Helpside I position against O4. All players rotate simultaneously on pass.
Phase 2. Pass Out of Post Trap.
When O5 passes the ball out to O1, X3 closes out quickly to O1, pushing O1 toward sideline pushpoint. X4 closes out to a pass denial position against open O3. X5 rotates to low post O4. X2 stays with O5, and X1 assumes a pass denial position against O2.
Skip Pass. When O5 makes a skip pass out to O3 on weakside wing, X3 closes out quickly pushing O3 to sideline pushpoint. Defender X4 fronts post O4 and X1 rotates out to a pass denial position on O1. X5 assumes a low Helpside I position on O5 and X2 steps up into a mid Helpside I position against O2.
Wing Post Trap - "Yo-Yo" Option
In the case where the wing passer O2 is not an outside threat, the defender can help out on the post by sagging off and "Yo-Yoing" (dropping in and out) with the remainder of the defenders assuming pass denial positions.
Phase 1. Wing Yo-Yo. When a non-shooting wing O2 passes inside to O5 posting up, X2 has the option of sagging off and double teaming O5 or harassing O5 by "YoYoing." Defenders X1, X2, and X3 assume aggressive pass denial positions denying any kick out passes from the post.
Phase 2. Pass out of trap When O5 passes the ball out of the double team back to O2, X2 quickly closes out to O2, pushing O2 toward the baseline pushpoint. Defenders X3 and X4 assume Helpside I positions while X1 maintains a pass denial position on O1 creating "Box Pressure" by preventing a ball reversal pass to O1. When matched up all of the basic defensive fundamentals apply.
Wing "Yo-Yo" - Left Side.
Phase 1. When a non-shooting wing O2 passes inside to O5 posting up, X2 has the option of sagging off and double teaming O5. X1, X2, and X3 assume aggressive pass denial positions denying any kick out passes from the post.
Phase 2. Pass Out of Trap. When O5 passes the ball out of the double team back to O2, X2 quickly closes out to O2, pushing O2 toward the baseline pushpoint. Defenders X3 and X4 assume Helpside I positions while X1 maintains a pass denial position on O1 creating "Box Pressure" by preventing a ball reversal pass to O1. When matched up all of the basic defensive fundamentals apply.
"Hold" - Post DisruptionUsed when opponent has multiple good outside shooters.
A fifth post disruption scenario is the "Hold". The SOS Hold option is used to disrupt open three point shots caused by slow or late closeout rotations. The post defender plays straight up one-on-one post defense assuming a 3/4 pass denial position. The other four players, "stay home" to prevent any three point shots by aggressively denying the kick out pass from the post
Early in the game don't be alarmed if the opponents make their first couple of three point shots. In most cases, you want to encourage an outside attack. For every missed outside shot there is a long rebound that can trigger a fast break opportunity. However, if outside shooting becomes a problem then simply go to the Hold option.
Three Point Shot Denial - Right Side
Defender X5 assumes a 3/4 pass denial position against the post O5. When the wing, O2, passes inside to O5 posting up, defenders X1, X2 and X3 assume pass denial positions against O1, O2 and O3, and aggressive deny any kick out pass from the offensive post.
Three Point Shot Denial - Left Side.
Defender X5 assumes a 3/4 pass denial position against the post O5. When the wing, O2, passes inside to O5 posting up, defenders X1, X2 and X3 assume pass denial positions against O1, O2 and O3, and aggressive deny any kick out pass from the offensive post.
2-3 ZoneUsed to double team low post out of a zone defense.
An outstanding low post or a very tall player can be a real problem for the defense. With its inside strength, the 2-3 zone becomes a viable defense to stop or limit the effectiveness of a good or tall post player. However, some simple adjustments are required in order to create double and triple teams on the low post player.
Home - Ball in the Middle
When the ball is out front, defender X5 assumes a 3/4 pass denial position on big O5. X4 sags in providing back side support while X3 cheats into the three second area to compensate for X5 assuming a pass denial position on O5. X1 should apply ball pressure on passer.
Ball on Left Wing
Defender X2 pressures the passer. X5 fonts the post while X3 provides backside support taking away the lob pass. X4 also tries to cheat in providing baseline support. X3, X4, and X5 triple team any time O5 does receive a pass.
Ball in Left Corner
X4 pressures the passer, X5 assumes a baseline 3/4 pass denial position on O5. X3 provides backside support while X2 sags off and provides topside support on O5. Defenders X2, X3, and X5 triple team any time O5 receives a pass.
Ball on Right Wing
X1 pressures the passer. X5 fonts the post while X4 provides strong backside support taking away the lob pass. X3 also tries to cheat in providing baseline support. X3, X4, and X5 triple team any time O5 receives the ball.
Ball in Right Corner
X3 pressures the passer, X5 assumes a baseline 3/4 pass denial position on O5. X4 provides backside support while X1 sags off and provides topside support on O5. Defenders X1, X4, and X5 triple team any time O5 receives a pass.
Diamond & OneGood combination defense to double team low post.
The Diamond & One combination defense lends itself readily to double teaming a strong post player. Although the diamond and one is very effective in taking away the middle, it does give up the corner. If/when the corner does becomes a problem, switch to a Box & One alignment.
Defender X1 sags off O1 protecting against high post pass. Chaser X4 maintains a strong pass denial position on post O5. On pass from O1 to O2, X2 steps out. X5 maintains a position between basket and ball double teaming O5 with X4. X1 drops back to free throw line against high post O4. X3 drops down on weakside.
On the pass from O2 to O3 in corner, X2 follows the pass pushing O3 to baseline push point. X5 maintains a position between the ball double teaming O5 with X4. X3 drops down anticipating a weakside rebound while X1 sags back below the elbow denying any pass to high post area.
On the skip pass out to the open player O1, X1 closes out but maintaining a sagged off position protecting against high post pass. X2 and X3 return to their starting diamond positions. Defender X5 maintaining a position between ball and basket double teams O5 with chaser X4 who maintains a strong pass denial position against post O5.
Any time the post receives the ball, X4 and X5 execute a trap while the outside defenders X1, X2 and X3 anticipate the pass out of the trap and cut off the passing lanes.
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