post development book sample

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© Copyright 2009 Breakthrough Basketball, LLC http://www.breakthroughbasketball.com

How to Develop High Scoring and Highly Skilled Post Players

LEARN DON KELBICK'S UNIQUE METHODS TO DEVELOP FUNDAMENTALLY SOUND

POST PLAYERS THAT CAN SCORE, REBOUND, AND DOMINATE INSIDE

www.BreakthroughBasketball.com

Written By Don Kelbick

Copyright Notice

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical. Any unauthorized use, sharing, reproduction, or distribution is strictly prohibited. © Copyright 2009 Breakthrough Basketball, LLC

Limits/Disclaimer of Warranty

The authors and publishers of this book and the accompanying materials have used their best efforts in preparing this book. The authors and publishers make no representation or warranties with respect to the accuracy, applicability, fitness, or completeness of the contents of this book. They disclaim any warranties (expressed or implied), merchantability, or fitness for any particular purpose. The authors and publishers shall in no event be held liable for any loss or other damages, including but not limited to special, incidental, consequential, or other damages. This manual contains material protected under International and Federal Copyright Laws and Treaties. Any unauthorized reprint or use of this material is prohibited.

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Table of Contents

FOREWORD BY JEFF HAEFNER.................................................................................5

ABOUT DON KELBICK..............................................................................................6

GLOSSARY OF TERMS .............................................................................................7

INTRODUCTION - DEVELOPING AN EFFECTIVE POST PLAYER.....................................10

THE BASICS..........................................................................................................14

POSITIONING ............................................................................................................. 14

FOOTWORK ............................................................................................................... 17

THE DRIBBLE............................................................................................................. 26

PLAYING THE GAME ..............................................................................................29

GETTING OPEN ......................................................................................................... 29

SEALING .................................................................................................................... 32

MAKING YOUR MOVE ................................................................................................. 33

OFFENSIVE MOVES ................................................................................................... 34

DEVELOPING YOUR POST PLAYER .........................................................................37

WHO SHOULD YOU TEACH?...................................................................................... 37

HOW TO START ......................................................................................................... 37

HOW TO FIT POST DEVELOPMENT INTO YOUR PRACTICE PLAN................................ 39

DEFENSE AND REBOUNDING ..................................................................................40

DEFENDING ............................................................................................................... 40

1 BALL POSITIONING DRILL.......................................................................... 45

2 BALL POST DRILL .................................................................................... 46

2 MAN SHOT BLOCKER DRILL ...................................................................... 48

REBOUNDING ............................................................................................................ 49

POST DEVELOPMENT DRILLS .................................................................................51

TAPS ......................................................................................................................... 51

MCHALE TAPS .......................................................................................................... 52

MIKAN DRILL ............................................................................................................. 52

BOARD BANGS .......................................................................................................... 52

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BOARD BANGS WITH A POST UP................................................................................. 53

ANNIE OVER.............................................................................................................. 54

CHAIR PIVOTS ........................................................................................................... 56

SPLIT POST ............................................................................................................... 57

INTENSITY LAYUPS .................................................................................................... 58

CONTINUOUS JUMP HOOK......................................................................................... 59

FIGURE 8 JUMP HOOKS............................................................................................. 60

POWER DRIBBLE INTO............................................................................................... 62

SHORT CORNER ........................................................................................................ 64

CONTINUOUS TRAIL JUMPER ..................................................................................... 66

OUTLET AND SPRINT ................................................................................................. 67

TRAILER SHOTS ........................................................................................................ 68

3 CHAIR POST CIRCUIT ............................................................................................. 69

TRAILER, LOW, MID-POST ......................................................................................... 70

SCORING ON THE MOVE ............................................................................................ 71

SCORING ON THE MOVE (COMBO) ............................................................................. 73

WEAKSIDE KICK AND FOLLOW ................................................................................... 75

LOW POST ONE ON ONE ........................................................................................... 77

INCORPORATING DRILLS IN YOUR WORKOUTS.........................................................80

SPECIALIZED POST CUTS AND MOVEMENTS ............................................................82

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS...........................................................................87

THIS IS WHAT I TEACH, IT WORKS FOR ME.............................................................95

CONCLUSION ......................................................................................................100

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FOREWORD BY JEFF HAEFNER

If you’ve ever tried to learn or teach post moves, then you’ll appreciate the

simplicity of the teaching concepts Don Kelbick presents in this book.

I have found that each time I study and practice the simple concepts in this book,

I get a better understanding of footwork, post play, and how to develop effective

post players.

In fact, I have practiced the footwork moves that Don teaches in my own

basement. You don’t even need a basket to get better. Just a basketball, 10 feet

of space, and an imagination.

I recommend that COACHES practice the footwork too! Even if you think you’re

way too old for that type of thing, trust me, it’s not hard. By practicing the

footwork you really start to understand how your feet can transform the game

and give a post player infinite moves and power. Practicing footwork in my

basement has helped me better understand the learning process. It has also

helped me discover new footwork possibilities, new ways to practice, and new

ways to teach.

I now see how a player has SO many options without dribbling the ball. Even

after establishing a pivot foot we have plenty of choices. In one fluid movement I

can front pivot, sweep, step through, inside pivot, drop step, inside pivot, and so

on. This is all without dribbling or switching pivot feet. After practicing in the

basement for just a little while I can make the moves without thinking. It’s

amazing how you see all the footwork coming together. And the beauty is that it

works whether you’re playing in the post or on the perimeter.

The trick is knowing how to easily teach the concepts and apply them in a game.

Don’s book has really opened my eyes. Reading Don’s book has greatly simplified

the way I teach post play and made me more effective as a teacher. If you take

the time to study this book it will do the same for you. Don’t overlook the power

of simplicity and the concepts that he presents!

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ABOUT

DON KELBICK

Don Kelbick is currently an NBA player development

coach who works with very successful players like Raja

Bell, Bruce Bowen, Carlos Boozer, Carlos Arroyo, Rasual

Butler, and many other college and NBA players.

Don is also a writer and key contributor to

www.BreakthroughBasketball.com. Don has and

continues to travel the world running camps and teaching

skills to players both young and old.

Both coaches and players can learn a lot from Don because he uses very unique

and out-of-the-box tactics to develop and train basketball players. His overall

knowledge of the game is extraordinary.

Much of his knowledge comes from 25 years of college coaching experience, which

includes stops at Hofstra University, Marist College, Keene State College, and

Florida International University.

Before coaching in college, Don spent two years as a high school coach. His

teams produced 6 Division I players and was ranked #1 in Florida 28 out of a

possible 34 weeks. In addition to coaching, he has scouted for NBA teams and

served as a general manager in the USBL.

Don currently resides in sunny Miami, Florida and likes to golf in his spare time.

You can learn more about Don by visiting his personal website at:

http://www.donkelbickbasketball.com

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GLOSSARY OF TERMS

We have made every attempt to define the terms used in this book to make it

easier for the readers to learn. While it is probably impossible to anticipate all

the questions regarding the terms, I will make an attempt here to define those

terms that are not specifically defined in the text.

Baseline – The line that defines the end of the court, beyond each basket.

Block – The solid box that defines the first rebounding position along the foul

lane.

Foul Line – The line where free throws are attempted from. It is 15’ from the

backboard.

Foul Lane Line – Two lines that are perpendicular to the baseline and connect

to the foul line.

Foul Lane – Area defined by the foul line, baseline and foul lane lines. Also

called the 3-second lane. The area is a rectangle that is 12’ at levels below

professional and 16’ wide at the US professional level. In international play

(FIBA), the lane is a trapezoid that starts at the elbows, 12 feet apart, and angles

to the baseline, 21’9” apart. FIBA is currently transitioning to the NBA sized

lane.

Foul Lanes Spots – Areas along the foul lane that serve as rebound positions

for free throws. The block and two, 2-foot lines perpendicular to the foul lane line

on each side of the lane delineate them.

Elbow – The junction of the foul line and the foul lane line.

Pivot Foot – The foot that remains planted when making a pivot.

Swing Foot – The foot that moves when making a pivot.

Ball-you-man (defense) – This is a term commonly used when teaching

defense. As a general rule, the defensive player should be able to see the ball

and their man at all times. If they can’t see both, they are in the wrong position.

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Coaches will often say, “ball-you-man”, meaning if you draw a line from the ball,

to you, to your man, it should form a shallow triangle.

Weakside – The side of the court that is away from the ball. For example, if the

ball is on the wing, the opposite wing would be the “weakside” of the court.

1 Pass Away (defense) – One pass away refers to when you’re guarding an

offensive player and there are no other offensive players between you and the

ball. When the ball is one pass away, your positioning is very important because

this will determine whether you can help on the dribble drive or rotate if needed.

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SYMBOLS

The symbols used in the book are generally accepted as internationally common

when using basketball diagrams.

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INTRODUCTION

DEVELOPING AN EFFECTIVE POST PLAYER

Basketball is a game of size and length. With the goal being 10 feet above the

playing surface, the closer you can get to the goal the more success you are apt to

have.

When you look at current trends in basketball you see, “Dribble, Drive, Motion,”

“Princeton Offense,” “Flex,” “Run (or Fun) and Gun,” etc. What you don’t see

these days, with a few exceptions, is an emphasis on post play. When looking

over the history of basketball, there has always been an emphasis in the post. My

philosophy has always been: the team that makes the most lay-ups wins. Even in

trying to get perimeter shots the threat of a post player sucks in the defenders,

opening up the perimeter for good looks at the basket.

If post play is so important, why has it fallen by the wayside? I believe

that these are some of the reasons:

• LACK OF SUCCESS IN INTERNATIONAL PLAY

With recent American failures in the Olympics, World

Championships and other prestigious international tournaments,

there seems to be a priority in developing an international style in

the U. S.

• INFLUX OF FOREIGN PLAYERS

In international basketball post players spend a lot of time on the

perimeter due to the trapezoid lane, short 3-point line and interior

defense rules. Starting in the NBA and then trickling down

through college and high school, there has been a great influx of

international players into the American game. There is a trickle

down effect in basketball. Trends that appear in the NBA show up

in college after a couple of years and then down the ladder to high

school and youth ball. While there are many very good foreign

players in the NBA they are still, by and large, role players.

However, at lower levels, foreign players often are some of the

most significant players on their teams. Teams then adapt their

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systems to their best players. The result of this has been fewer

post players being developed at the lower levels of basketball.

I am very interested to see what will transpire over the next 10

years. The Federation for International Basketball (FIBA), the

governing body of all international basketball (including the

Olympics), is now transitioning to NBA style rules. Over the next

few years, they will go to the NBA lane and 3-point line. What will

happen to the post players then? Will they go back inside? Only

time will tell.

• SCARCITY OF BIG BODIES

This has always been why post players have been so valuable. I

can only think of a few effective traditional post players in the

NBA right now; Shaq, Greg Oden, Andrew Bynum and maybe

Chris Kaman (Tim Duncan is the prototypical power forward

playing in the post). Other post players, such as Kendrick Perkins

of the Celtics would be undersized in other eras and would

probably be power forwards. Others like Zydrunas Ilgauskas and

Andrew Bogut are international and play the international style.

The result of those factors are fewer post play role models for players and less

time devoted to post development for coaches. Like most things in life, however,

basketball is cyclical--what goes around comes around. As long as size is an

advantage the post player will make a comeback. In today’s game, having a post

player gives you a huge advantage simply because they’re so rare. If you have a

post player they will be very difficult to prepare for and will present a much more

significant challenge to your opponents due to their lack of experience in playing

against post players.

Post play should be taught at all levels of the game. Much has been said and

written about big players who are very skilled because when they were younger

and smaller they were developed as guards. In turn, they retain those skills as

they go through growth spurts (Kevin Garnett).

And let’s look at the other side of the coin. When players are young, you don’t

know what the finished product will be. The tallest player on your 12-year-old

team might wind up as the smallest player on their high school team. The

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reverse is also possible. However, the teaching and learning process should not

discriminate for size.

The footwork, positioning and mentality of post play is beneficial for all

players, of any age and any position. In all my years of working with

players, whether they are youth, high school, college or professional players, we

always start in the post. As we progress I try to relate the post fundamentals to

their particular position. I have had great success using this method.

What follows is what I feel are the important aspects of developing post players.

Some of the thoughts and techniques are traditional, and some are not. I do not

pretend to be the ultimate authority, but I do want to share the things that have

been successful for me and the players I have worked with.

This is not meant to be a checklist or a step by step program where you can

churn out post players as if they were M&M’s. It is meant only to be a basis for

which you can interpret, refine, experiment and develop your own insights and

programs.

MENTAL ASPECTS

I believe that everything starts with the mental aspect of the game and nowhere

is that more apparent than with post players. Post players run endline to

endline, face intense physical contact on every play while often going possession

after possession without touching the ball. They have to set screens on every play

and must be involved in every rebound on every play. If they take one play, one

possession or one rebound off, they become the focal point of criticism. If they

play every play, they are often not noticed. Mentally, the post player must be

strong enough to bear the weight on both sides.

The first thing a post player must understand is he/she holds a special place in

the game. Doing well what post players do has more of an impact on the game

than any other position on the court. Post players need to know their value. They

tend to minimize and not value their skills, and always try to do the things that

guards do. They want to be “nice” with their dribble; they want range with their

jump shots and they want to be creative with the ball.

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Post players should be encouraged to experiment and find the limit of their

skills. Exploring what will work for them and what won’t work will go a long way

in allowing them to develop an effective game. But the exploration should be

tempered with role definition. And most importantly, they should be taught to

value what they have. No player likes to be told their limitations. But when your

6-10 post player asks you why they can’t shoot from the 3-point line you have to

explain how you are trying to point them toward their strengths, not away from

their weaknesses.

The post player must have the mentality that they “own” their position. They

must understand that they can’t get every rebound, they won’t block every shot

and they won’t make every play but they have to come down on the next play and

work at it again on the next play, and the next, and the next.

A post player is a warrior. Every possession is going to be a war, whether they

get the ball or not. There is going to be physical play every time down the court.

If your player cannot accept that, they can’t play in the post. If you have a player

with that understanding, run them through the post at times, whether they are a

post player or not.

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THE BASICS

POSITIONING

It is the coach’s job to recognize what their player’s strengths are and apply them

correctly. Just because your post player is 6-10 doesn’t mean that they shouldn’t

shoot threes. Coaches often make the mistake that because they have a post

player, it means the player has to go down to the block and be locked into the low

post. Just as there are several guard and wing positions, there are several post

positions.

LOW POST

Traditionally, this is where most people think the post player

belongs. This is where power players traditionally set themselves.

When playing in the low post, I have always taught that the

player’s bottom foot (the foot closest to the baseline) should never

go below the top of the block (mark on the lane). By positioning

with the bottom foot, the post player has room to go baseline yet

has a good angle to the basket. They are close enough to the rim

yet far enough away so they have room to maneuver.

If they set lower than the top of the block it will be easier to

overplay them defensively because they will lose their baseline

option. Setting below the block will create a situation where the

post player will be behind the backboard if they turn to the

baseline.

I teach the low post

position as above the

block, straddling the

second lane marker. The

baseline foot is in the

lane spot above the block

and the top foot is in the next spot up the lane.

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MID-POST

The post player that is in the mid-post usually straddles the third

and fourth lane spot. This allows the post player to execute a

variety of skills. He/she has enough space to put the ball on the

floor and go to the basket, he/she is far enough from the basket to

make a traditional low post defender uncomfortable and take jump

shots, and is still close enough to play their power game.

At the same time, they are far enough from the basket to create

enough room for teammates to make basket cuts, dribble drives

and baseline cuts. There is enough room for the post player to be

an effective passer.

The Mid-Post

position is between

the low post position

and the elbow.

HIGH POST

The high post is traditionally on the foul line. It can also move to

the elbows. With the advent of the 3-point shot and the influence of

the international game, the high post now plays to the top of the

key on the 3-point line.

Traditionally, high post players have been passers and screeners.

In today’s game, it is a great advantage to have a post player that

can shoot from the high post. It will open the lane for penetration

and put players in better position to offensive rebound. Post

players with good 1 dribble games also benefit from the expanded

high post.

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I teach the High-

Post position as the

elbow, on the side of

the lane and the foul

line in the middle of

the lane.

The high-post can

extend beyond the

top of the foul circle

and can be a couple

of feet to either side

of the lane, as long

as he/she is above

the foul line.

SHORT CORNER

The short corner is the most neglected position in the game. The

short corner is located about mid-way between the foul lane and

the 3-point line, along the baseline, actually behind the backboard.

If you have a post player with a little bit of a 1 dribble game, this

can be a very effective spot for them.

Placing a player in the short corner forces the defender to make

many uncomfortable choices as to how to play the offensive post

player. If the defender plays their man in the short corner, it

leaves a big hole in the lane that can be used for penetration and

leaves them in poor position for rebounding. If the defender plays

above the post player in a more traditional defensive position, it is

easy for the offensive post player to get behind the defense or in a

position to get the ball in a spot where they will be very difficult to

defend.

The short corner

is a non-traditional

position.

The post sets along

the baseline, behind

the backboard about

four feet off the lane.

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