Dominate the Inside Game
The 5 things every post player needs to know

Being a big-time post player takes basketball skill and athletic ability. But you also have to know how to play the inside game.

Here are 5 key things you need to know about playing the post. Learn these, and you'll be well on your way to being a big-time inside player.

The 5 things every post player needs to know

1.) It's all about footwork and positioning
Solid footwork and good positioning are some of the most important aspects of being a great post player. On offense, you'll want to establish good position on the block and not let the defense move you from that spot. If you can establish and receive the ball in good scoring position, you've already won half the battle.

And once you receive the ball, good footwork will enable you to score the basketball. Using good, solid, and quick footwork for drop-steps, step-back moves, turnaround jumpers, or up-and-under moves can turn you into a big-time scoring threat. Sloppy footwork will result in missed scoring opportunities, bad shots, forced shots, or turnovers.

2.) Be tough and expect contact
Playing in the paint is not for the faint of heart. There are lots of bodies inside the lane, and lots of contact. Whether it's battling for a rebound, or making an offensive move inside, you have to be strong, and go up strong to have any chance of getting the ball, or scoring a basket.

And when you play inside the paint, you have to always expect contact, and just play through it. It could be a slap across the arms, an elbow to the chest, or a push in the back...expect it and play through it. The refs may not always see it or call it, but you have to be ready for it, and not let it affect you.

3.) Stay low and use leverage
One important tip for all inside players is to stay low, and use your lower body for strength and leverage. You've probably heard coaches talk about playing the game in an "athletic stance", which means staying low, on-balance, with your feet about shoulder-width apart, so you're always ready to move.

This holds especially true for inside players. Why? A big part of playing inside is establishing position down low, or blocking someone out for rebounds, or making a power move to the basket. All of these things take balance, strength, and explosiveness. The only way to excel at these things is to be in a low, strong, on-balance athletic stance.

4.) Keep the ball high and keep dribbling to a minimum
These are two tips that all coaches teach, and for good reason. Anytime you have the ball down low, remember to keep it at chest level (or above), and hold the ball with both hands. If you bring the ball down to your waist, you're likely to have it slapped away by a guard. So always keep the ball high, at chest level or above, when rebounding the ball, shooting a put-back shot, or shooting a turnaround jumper.

Also, dribble the ball as little as necessary down low. If you need to make one or two quick, strong dribbles while making a drop-step move, go ahead. But that's it. Never dribble more than a couple times, and always keep the dribble low (no more than 10-12 inches off the ground). A low, power dribble is called a "crab dribble" and should be the only kind of dribble you make in the lane.

5.) Strength is important, but quickness is also key
We've talked about how important being strong and powerful is to playing inside, but quickness is vitally important to being a big-time post player. Whether it's a quick drop-step to the basket, a rebound and quick-jump follow-up shot, or cutting to the basket for good rebounding position, quickness is a very important part of the inside game.

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