Splitting the Post
What to discover or recall:
Post splits are an integral part of basketball on all levels (youth to professional).
Although, many offenses incorporate post splits, most coaches take their execution for granted.
Similar to executing off ball and on ball screens, players need to possess a working knowledge on how to read and counter the various defensive techniques that are use to disrupt post splits.
High post split is also an excellent way to isolate a great player one-on-one.
Post splits include Low Post Splits, High Post Splits, Solo Post Cuts, and Side Post Cuts. In addition, post splits are an excellent way of isolating the post one-on-one since they take away any post help.
| Low Post Split | Solo Post Cuts |
Low Post Splits
The basic option of the sideline triangle is the post split. Wing O3 feeds the post O5 and makes a baseline cut to the basket for shot. The corner O1 uses O3 as a moving screen, and cuts tight off O3 over the top of the post for shot. If O1's is not open for shot, O1 can continue out and set a screen for O2 at top of circle.
Basic Reads and Counters. What if . . .
1. The defender CHASES & TRAILS over the post?
2. Defenders SWITCH against the post split?
3. Defenders ANTICIPATE switching on the post split?
4. Defender plays high FORCE BASELINE or anticipates switching?
5. OPTIONAL: Back Cut when defender anticipates post split?
6. OPTIONAL: Post Isolation in lieu of splitting?
READ: Defenders CHASE OVER the post.
Counter
Post Split OptionO1 feeds the post O5 and cuts over the top. O2 cuts off the point's moving screen for shot. Post O5 has option of feeding either cutter.
Note: Both cutters clear out if they do not receive the ball allowing the post to isolate one-on-one against X5.
READ: Defenders SWITCH against the post split.
Counter:
Passer Post Split OptionIf the defense switches on the post split, the post looks primarily to feed O1 cutting to the basket.
READ: Defenders ANTICIPATE switching on the post split.
Counter
Fake Post Split OptionWhen the defense anticipates the post splits, one or both cutters can stop and back cut to basket for shot.
READ: Defenders ANTICIPATE switching on the post split.
Counter
Post Split Screen/Roll OptionInstead of splitting, the point guard O1, after feeding the post O5, executes a contact screen & roll to free up the shooting guard O2.
READ: Defender plays high forcing baseline anticipating split.
Counter
Two Same Side OptionWhen O1's defender plays high or anticipates switching, O1 can feed the post O5 and make a baseline speed cut instead of going over the top on a post split. O2 can either make a solo cut over the top of the post or go opposite isolating the post one-on-one. Post O5 has option of feeding either cutter.
OPTIONAL: Back Cut when defender anticipates post split.
Back Cut Option
When O1 feeds the post O5, if defender X2 anticipates the post split, O2 back cuts to the basket instead on splitting the post. O1 makes a solo cut over the top of O5.
OPTIONAL: Post Isolation in lieu of splitting.
Speed Cut
To isolate the post, in lieu of splitting, O1 after feeding the post executes a baseline speed cut and if not open empties out weakside. O2 also clears to the weakside.
In addition, once the guards split the post, it also creates a post one-on-one isolation.
Solo Post Cut Actions
Solo cuts provide for another array of low post split options. After feeding the post, the cutter can cut either baseline or over the top of the post depending on their defender is playing. The basic options are basically the same: Handoff & Drive, Fake Handoff, Pull up Jumper and Post Roll. In addition, the cutter can set an On Ball screen for the post.
Baseline Cut Reads and Counters. What if . . .
1. The defender CHASES over the post?
2. Post defender CHEATS OUT (SHOWS) to help?
3. Defender goes BEHIND the post on base cut?
4. Defenders SWITCH on base cut?
5. Outside Mismatch Isolation?
Baseline Solo Cut Reads & Counters
READ: On Ball Defender Plays High & Forces Baseline
Defender CHASES OVER the post.
Counter: Handoff and Drive
When the defender X3 plays on the high side of wing O3, after feeding the post O5, O3 should fake high and then cut baseline for possible handoff and shot. When O3 does not receive a return pass from O5, O3 continues out to the weakside isolating the post O5 on a one-on-one situation.
Post defender CHEATS OUT (SHOWS) to help.
Counter: Fake Handoff and Post Drive Opposite
When defensive post X5 tries to step out and help out on O3's base cut, the post O5 has option of faking the handoff and making a quick move opposite into the middle for shot.
Defender goes BEHIND the post on base cut.
Counter: Step Back Jumper
When when O3's defender X3 goes behind O5, cutter O3 fades out by executing a "V" cut or step back move for a pull up baseline jump shot.
Defenders SWITCH on base cut.
Counter: Post Roll
When the defense switches, O3 strings out the defense with dribble, isolating the post O5 against the smaller defender X1.
Option: Outside Mismatch Isolation
The post O5 can also clear out, isolating O3 one-on-one against the bigger defender X5.
Solo Top Cut Reads & Counters
On-Ball Defenders Plays on Baseline Side (Low)
Top Cut Reads and Counters. What if . . .
1. The defender CHASES OVER the post?
2. Post defender CHEATS OUT (SHOWS) to help?
3. Defender goes BEHIND the post on top cut?
4. Defenders SWITCH on top cut?
5. Cutter SCREENS the post's defender?
Defender CHASES OVER the post.
Counter: Handoff and Drive
When the defense plays to the low side of wing O3, O3 after feeding the post O5, should fake low and then cut over the top of the post for possible handoff and shot. When the wing does not receive a return pass from the post, the wing continues out to the weakside isolating the post on a one-on-one situation.
Post defender CHEATS OUT (SHOWS) to help.
Counter: Fake Handoff and Post Drive Opposite
When defensive post X5 tries to step out and help out on top cut, the post O5 has option of faking the handoff and making a quick baseline drop step or spin move to basket for shot.
Defender goes BEHIND POST on top cut.
Counter: Pull Up Jumper
When when O3's defender X3 goes behind O5, cutter O3 fades out by executing a "V" cut or step back move for a pull up baseline jump shot.
Defenders SWITCH against the top cut.
Counter(1): Post Roll
When the defense switches, O3 strings out the defense with dribble, isolating the post O5 against the smaller defender X1.
Counter (2): Outside Mismatch Isolation
The post O5 can also clear out, isolating O3 one-on-one against the bigger defender X5.
Cutter SCREENS the post's defender.
Post Pick Action
Wing O3 after feeding the post sets a screen on he post's defensive player, allowing the post to wheel into the middle off pick for shot or drive.
Solo Cut Side Screen Option
Post can initiate side screen action at any time by stepping out and setting an "ON" ball screen for the O3 on wing. O3 drives hard of O5's side screen and has layup, pull up jump shot, or pass to O5 rolling to basket.
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