High Post Splits

High Post Split

High post splits have been a staple since the game was invented and were used extensively during the jump ball after a made shot era. The basic option is for one of the guards to hit the high post and split the post. The guard making the pass to the high post cutting first, the other guard cuts tight off the first guard's moving screen. The high post has the option of feeding either guard. Wings O3 and O4 set up for down screens.

It is important that the high post player to meet and catch the ball in the air. Basic receiving rule: always catch the ball with two hands, two feet and two eyes. Also, never catch the ball with your back to the basket. Upon receiving the ball, make a strong pivot and square up to the basket in a triple threat position.

 

Basic Reads and Counters. What if . . .

1. The defenders DO NOT SWITCH?   Counter

2. The defenders ANTICIPATE SWITCHING?   Counter

3. Defenders SAG OFF on post?    Counter

4. Defenders AUTOMATICALLY SWITCH on split?    Counter

 


Read: Defenders DO NOT SWITCH.

High Post Split

Counter: Handoff on Split

Basic option is for the high post to feed either guard cutting to the basket.

Read: Defenders SAG OFF anticipating split and switch.

Fake High POst Split

Counter: Fake Split

Guards have option of faking the high post split and cutting same side to the basket.

Read: Defenders anticipate the split and sag off on post or watch the ball.

Back Cut Option

Counter: Direct Basket Cut

Any time the defenders anticipate the post split and collapse on the post, the guards have the "Green Light" to back cut directly to the basket for shot.

Read: Defenders anticipate and automatically switch.

High Post Split Two Same Side

Counter: Two Same Side

When the defenders drop off and automatically switch, both cutters can go same side creating a two-on-one situation on X1.

 


5 Stars

High Post Isolation

High Post Isolation

On the high post split, if neither guard receives the ball, they continue to the baseline where they can either receive down screens from the wings or step out and set back screens for the wings.

Once the guards split the high post, the high post makes a strong pivot and faces the basket assuming a triple threat position. From the triple threat position, they can drive, shoot or pass. Since the ball is located in the middle of the court ("Red Zone") the high post's defender X5 has no defensive help isolating the high post one-on-one.

 

Green Light

 


 

Automatic Counters
Against Defensive Overplay

Anytime the defender overplays and attempts to deny the high post pass, it can be quickly counter with lob passes and post exchanges.

| Point Lob | Wing Feeds | Post Exchange | Screen Exchange | Player Exchange |

Post Lob vs Post Overplay

High Post Lob

When the pass to the high post is overplayed, post O5 releases to the basket for an "over the Top" lob pass. Other counters against the high post overplay:

Wing Post Feed

Wing Feeds

If the ballhandling guard cannot feed the post direct, they can pass to either wing, who in turn, can feed the high post rolling to the basket.

Post Exchange

Post Exchange

If the high post releases to the basket, they can empty out to the weakside wing. The weakside wing then breaks into the high post position.

Diagonal Screen

Screen Exchange

An high post exchange can also be initiated by the high post setting a diagonal down screen for the weakside wing.

Post interchange

Player Interchange

The high post position is not limited to just the post players. It is a great way to isolate your best triple threat player one-on-one.

 


5 Stars

Side Post (Two Game)

Weakside Two Game

Anytime the wing makes a reversal pass out to the point, it sets up a two person weakside attack. This "Two Game" provides a multitude of  a quick hitting options that can be initiated with either a pass or dribble entry. This weakside two game is an integral part of the triple post offense and the Chicago Bulls run of NBA championships.

 

Two Game - Pass Series

Basic Reads and Counters (Pass Series). What if . . .

1. The defender CHASES OVER?   Counter

2. The defender GOES BEHIND?   Counter

3. Defenders SWITCH?    Counter

4. Post defender SHOWS & RECOVERS?    Counter

4. The defender CHEATS OVER early?    Counter

5. Post defender DENIES the post feed?    Counter

 


 

Drive

Read: The Defender CHASES OVER.

Counter: Hand-off & Drive

When the defensive player trails and goes over the top of the high post, the guard turns the corner receives the ball back for drive to the basket.

 


 

Jumper

Read: The Defender goes BEHIND.

Counter: Hand-off & Pull Up Jump Shot

When the defensive player goes behind the high post in an effort to cut off the guard, the guard upon receiving the ball back pulls up for a wide open jumper.

roll

Read: The Defense SWITCHES.

Counter: Hand Off & Roll
Post Isolation

When defensive players X2 and X4 switch on screen, O2 looks to feed the screener O4 rolling to the basket or posting up against the smaller defensive guard.

Roll

Wing Isolation

Against the defensive switch, when ball handler O2 has a definite advantage over bigger X4, O4 clears out allowing O2 to go one on one against X4 on wing isolation.

Fake

Read: The Defense SHOWS & RECOVERS.

Counter: Fake Hand-off & Roll
Drive Opposite

When the defensive player X4 shows to force the cutter wide, the high post fakes the hand-off and drives to the basket.

fake & shoot

Shoot or Fake Shot Pass

When the defensive player X4 recovers, O4 has jump shot option or can make a fake shot pass to O2 cutting to the basket.

Pass Opposite

Read: The Defender CHEATS over early.

Counter: Cut Opposite Hand-off

When the defensive player X2 cheats to beats O2 over the screen, O2 reverses and cuts directly up the middle for inside hand-off and drive to basket.

Lob

Read: The defender denies the High Post Pass.

Counter: Lob Pass

When defender X4 overplays and cuts off the passing lane to O4. O4 back cuts to basket for lob pass from O2.

 


 

Dribble Series

Dribble Series

The "Two Game" dribble series is similar to the pass series except that it is initiated with a screen and roll action rather than a pass.

 

Basic Reads and Counters (Dribble Series). What if . . .

1. The defender CHASES OVER?   Counter

2. The defender goes BEHIND the screen?   Counter

3. Defenders SWITCH on the screen?    Counter

4. The Defender SHOWS & RECOVERS on the screen?    Counter

5. The defender CHEATS OVER early?    Counter

6. The defenders DOUBLE TEAM the ballhandler?    Counter

 


drive

Read: The Defender CHASES OVER screen.

Counter: Drive

When the defensive player trails and goes over the top of the O4's high post back screen, O2 should turn the corner and drive hard to basket for lay up.

Jumper

Read: The defender goes BEHIND the screen.

Counter: Pull Up Jump Shot

When the defensive player X2 goes behind O4's high post back screen, the dribbler O2 should pull up for an open jump shot.

Roll

Read: The Defense SWITCHES on screen.

Counter: Screen & Roll

Post Isolation Option

When defensive players X2 and X4 switch on screen, O2 looks to feed the screener O4 rolling to the basket or posting up against the smaller defensive guard.

Roll

Wing Isolation Option

Against the defensive switch, when ball handler O2 has a definite advantage over bigger X4, O4 clears out allowing O2 to go one on one against X4 on wing isolation.

Slip

Read: Post defenser SHOWS on screen.

Counter: Screener Slips the Screen

When the defender X4 shows(steps out) to force the ballhandler wide, O4 slips (fakes) the screen screen and cuts away to the basket looking for a quick pass from O2.

Drive Opposite

Read: The Defender anticipates and CHEATS over screen early.

Counter: Drive Opposite

When the defensive player X2 steps over the screen early, the ballhandler O2 should make a cross over dribble and drive down the middle.

Trap

Read: The Defense TRAPS the ballhander

Counter: String Out & Flash
(2-1-2 Alignment)

When the defensive tries to doubles team the dribbler coming off screen, the dribbler O2 should string out the trap with dribble. The screener O4 cuts to a short corner position, and the post O5 flashes into the middle. This immediately creates a two on one situation against defensive post X5.

Trap

Middle Flash

If post defender X5 steps out to help out on O4, O2 looks to pass to O5 flashing into the middle. O5 has options of shooting or passing to either O4 or O1 back cutting along baseline.

 

 

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