Meet Marcus: The Undersized Post Player Who Wouldn’t Quit

Marcus stood just 6’2″ on his high school basketball team—hardly the prototypical height for a post player. When coach first suggested he develop his post skills, Marcus laughed.

“Coach, I’m the shortest power forward in the league. How am I supposed to score against guys half a foot taller?”

His coach smiled. “Because they won’t be expecting it, and you’ll have what they don’t: perfect technique.”

Over the next six months, Marcus transformed his game. He developed a repertoire of post moves that made him nearly unstoppable despite often giving up significant height. By senior year, he was averaging 18.6 points per game, with most coming from clever post play.

How did he do it? He mastered the exact techniques I’m about to share with you.

Key Terms Every Post Player Should Know

Before diving into techniques, let’s establish the vocabulary:

• Low post: The area near the basket, typically along the blocks
• Drop step: A move where you step with your back foot around the defender
• Up-and-under: A fake shot followed by a step through for a layup
• Baby hook: A short hook shot usually taken with one hand
• Seal: Using your body to prevent a defender from getting position
• Post entry pass: The pass made to get the ball to a player in the post

Understanding these terms is just the beginning of developing your basketball IQ, which is crucial for post players who need to outthink bigger opponents.

5 Key Techniques for Undersized Post Players

1. Master the Art of Positioning

As an undersized player, position is everything. You must establish position before you receive the ball.

Basketball Hall of Famer Charles Barkley, at just 6’6″, consistently outplayed seven-footers because of his exceptional ability to seal defenders with his lower body strength. Study how he would:

• Use a wide stance to create space
• Keep his rear low and wide to prevent defenders from reaching around
• Extend his arm as a target while maintaining the seal

Practice Drill: Work with a partner who pushes against your back while you maintain position for 30 seconds at a time. Focus on keeping your balance and holding your ground.

2. Develop an Unblockable Release

Taller defenders will try to block your shot, so you need release points they can’t reach. The most effective weapons in your arsenal will be:

• The jump hook: Release the ball at the highest point of your jump, using your body to shield the defender
• The fadeaway: Create separation by jumping backward slightly
• The up-and-under: Use shot fakes to get defenders in the air before stepping through

Kevin McHale, considered one of the best post players ever despite not having exceptional height, used his exceptional footwork and variety of release points to score over taller defenders consistently.

Practice Drill: Stand three feet from the basket. Practice 25 jump hooks with each hand, focusing on quickly getting the ball to your release point. To improve your shooting form, check out our guide on mastering proper basketball shooting form.

3. Master the Quick First Move

Speed beats height. Period. When you receive the ball in the post, don’t hold it—make your move immediately.

Study Isaiah Thomas (the 5’9″ modern NBA player, not the Bad Boys-era Piston) and how he used his quickness to score in the paint against players a foot taller than him.

Your first move options include:

• Quick drop step to the baseline
• Immediate face-up and drive
• One-dribble power move to the middle

Practice Drill: From the low block, have a partner pass you the ball. Make your move within one second of catching it. Repeat 20 times on each side of the basket.

Combining quick moves with excellent dribbling skills will make you even more dangerous in the post.

4. Use Angles and Body Control

Undersized players must become masters of using the rim for protection. Study how smaller post players like Adrian Dantley would:

• Use reverse layups to protect against shot blockers
• Utilize the rim as a shield
• Develop ambidextrous finishing around the basket

Practice Drill: Practice 10 reverse layups from each side, focusing on using the rim to protect your shot from an imaginary shot blocker.

Working on your balance during shooting is crucial for finishing these awkward shots around bigger defenders.

5. Develop Counter Moves

Never rely on just one move. Once defenders adjust to your primary move, you need counters ready.

• If they overplay your drop step to the baseline, counter with a spin to the middle
• If they anticipate your up-and-under, hit them with a pump fake and step-through
• If they give you space, develop a reliable bank shot

Practice Drill: Choose three moves (primary move, counter, and counter to the counter). Practice them in sequence 15 times on each side of the basket.

For more advanced moves to add to your arsenal, check out our guide on basketball moves to break ankles and get buckets.

Common Mistakes Undersized Post Players Make

1. Trying to Play Like a Bigger Player

You’re not 7 feet tall, so don’t try to play like it. Avoid:

• Standing straight up (makes you even shorter)
• Shooting over defenders without creating space
• Trying to outmuscle significantly bigger opponents directly

2. Being Predictable

If you always make the same move, even perfect technique won’t save you. Defenders will learn and adjust.

3. Poor Conditioning

Post play requires exceptional stamina. Many undersized players fail because they get tired and lose their technique late in games. Consider incorporating some of our essential warm-up drills into your routine to improve conditioning.

4. Neglecting Footwork

Fancy moves don’t work without a foundation of perfect footwork. Practice fundamentals before advanced techniques. Our guide on basic footwork drills can help you establish this foundation, regardless of your age or experience level.

5 Essential Drills for Building Your Post Game

1. Mikan Drill

This classic develops touch around the basket with both hands.

• Stand under the basket
• Shoot a layup with your right hand from the right side
• Rebound the ball as it comes through the net
• Take a step to the left side
• Shoot a layup with your left hand
• Continue alternating for 2 minutes without stopping

2. Chair Drill

Place a chair at the low block to represent a defender.

• Practice your drop step around the chair
• Work on your up-and-under move
• Practice sealing the “defender” and receiving entry passes

3. Footwork Ladder

Use an agility ladder to improve your foot speed and coordination.

• Practice various footwork patterns
• Focus on quick, precise movements
• Gradually increase speed while maintaining control

Improving your footwork will also enhance your ability to move without the basketball, making it easier to get open for those crucial post entry passes.

4. Contact Finishing

Have a partner hold a pad and provide light contact as you finish around the basket.

• Practice absorbing contact and still making shots
• Work on adjusting your body mid-air
• Focus on finishing through, not avoiding, contact

5. Quick-Release Drill

Stand with your back to the basket in post position.

• Have a partner pass you the ball
• As soon as you catch it, execute a move and shoot
• Gradually decrease the time between catch and release

For more ways to improve your quick release, check our guide on mastering quick release shooting in basketball.

Final Thoughts: Size Doesn’t Determine Skill

Remember Marcus from our story? By his senior year, he was drawing double-teams despite being the shortest post player in his conference. His success didn’t come from a growth spurt—it came from relentless practice of the techniques outlined above.

The post game is becoming a lost art in modern basketball, which means developing these skills gives you an even greater advantage. While everyone else is trying to shoot three-pointers, you’ll be scoring high-percentage buckets in the paint.

To truly elevate your game beyond just post moves, consider working on your vertical jump, which will make you even more dangerous as an undersized post player.

FAQ About Post Play for Undersized Players

Q: How long does it take to develop an effective post game?

A: With dedicated practice (30+ minutes daily), you can see significant improvement in 2-3 months, but mastery takes years of refinement.

Q: Should I still develop post moves if I’m a guard?

A: Absolutely! Post skills make you a more versatile scoring threat, especially in mismatches against smaller defenders. Check out our article on understanding basketball positions to see how skills from different positions can complement each other.

Q: What’s the most important physical attribute for undersized post players?

A: Lower body strength for establishing position, followed closely by core strength for maintaining balance through contact.

Q: Can these techniques work in actual games against much taller players?

A: Yes, these techniques are specifically designed to neutralize height advantages through positioning, timing, and skill.

Q: Should I focus more on face-up or back-to-the-basket moves as an undersized player?

A: Develop both, but most undersized players find more success with a face-up game that utilizes their typically superior quickness.

Ready to transform your post game? Make sure to check out basketballfundamentals.com for more information! Our free video tutorial breaks down these techniques with slow-motion examples from master post players of all heights. Elevate your game and become the post player no one wants to guard—regardless of your size!

For more comprehensive training, don’t miss our guide on essential basketball drills for every skill level to take your overall game to the next level.