Scoring in the post is becoming a lesser used part of the game, but it is still an effective way to get easy looks at the bucket or to open up outside shots for your teammates. We asked a few UH trainers for tips on how to be a better post player. Follow these steps and you’ll be on your way to becoming the next Hakeem Olajuwon.

Ken Koerner - Syosset, NY: Set yourself up for success by getting to your spots on the court and give yourself the best chance to score. Feel for your defender so you can show the appropriate target hand for your teammates to give you the ball.

Kwame Ofori - Centerville, VA: Understand your position on the floor.  Move without the ball.  Have a good relationship with your point guard.  If you can get your defender playing in front of you, that's an easy lob pass. Utilize the pick-n-roll.  

Peter Fabiano - Florham Park, NJ: Work on footwork and court awareness by knowing where you are when you’re close to the basket without having to look at it.

Cassiday Klinfelter - Folsom, CA: Keep a low, solid wide base, and work on pivot footwork. 

Adrian Woodard - Bergen County, NJ: Take what the defense gives you. Have two main moves and work on counters to those moves.

Bryce Lewis - Berkeley Heights, NJ: Practice footwork and be able to finish with both hands.

Lorenzo Orr - Lakeville, MN: I get a lot of post moves from YouTube of players like Hakeem Olajuwon. Learning how to execute a turnaround jump shot with good balance is essential to post scoring. 

Jonathan Nester - Franklin, TN: In order to become a better post player, there are several things that you will want to work on. The first thing that you want to work on as a post player is your footwork. Having good footwork is essential for any player to improve their game, but it’s paramount for post players. The second thing that you want to work on is your positioning on the court. Having the correct positioning on the court as a post player will determine what type of moves that you will make. So knowing where you are on the court is extremely important.

Reggie Thompson - Woodstock, GA: Footwork drills to improve the use of your two steps. Reaction, explosiveness and strength drills will help with control in the post.

Nick Malonga - Warrenville, IL: Have a strong, wide base. The post game is base on positioning. A strong, wide base gives the offensive player an advantage of getting position closer to the basket.  

If you’re interested in signing up for training, contact us here.