Rick Majerus & Post Play

Transition:

1. 1st 3 steps in transition are the most important

2. Post players have to be strong and be able to run the floor. Have to beat the defense down the floor.

3. Post players have to be able to shoot free throws. Being big is not a reason for missing free throws.

3 Things to do Everyday

1. Transition Defense

2. Skill Development- 20-40 minutes per day (Mikan Drill)

3. Free Throws

3 Things to Develop Hands for Post Players

1. Soft hands to catch

2. Strong hands

3. Soft touch when shooting

Why Post Players Miss Shots

1. Not low enough

2. Don't focus on target

3. Don't get the ball high enough

Post Player Philosophy

1. Low- sit in stance

2. Slow- be patient

3. Under control

4. Need to have 1 go to move

5. Need to have 1 counter move

Utah Jazz Offense

Some notes here from former Utah Jazz assistant Coach Chiesa and the philosophy of their offense during the days of Stockton/Malone:

Utah Jazz "Offensive Manhood"

1. Screening

2. Getting "and one" opportunities

3. Getting offensive rebounds

Stockton defines Jazz Manhood:

*Stockton screened Charles Barkley in a playoff game and Barkley nearly took his head off with a flagrant foul. Stockton's first words to the coaching staff were "don't you guy's even think about NOT running that play.....run it right now.....I'm going to get this guy."

Togetherness and Screening:

*When you take on contact you tell your teammates I'm with you. When your smalls will be physical and take on their bigs you pull guy's together.

*The better our screening, cutting, passing, the better our shooting percentage. Shooting is the last act.

Post Thoughts:
1. Do Not neglect to post the zone
2. Read the defense are they doubling down or sagging?
3. When the defense helps down, throw the ball out and Re-Post
4. Do Not let the defense dictate what shots you will take, get the ball inside
5. The Jazz want their posts to shoot against 1 1/2 defenders, NOT 2
6. Selfish post players will shoot every time against 2 defenders

Why Dont' You Get Paint Touches?
*Because of good defense.....cop-out. Coach Chiesa asks...."What about good offense?"

Post Rule:
*For every 2 jump shots you take, you must drop step middle on the next catch on the next catch.

Three keys: Be agile, mobile, and hostile

From former coach and ESPN announcer Fran Fraschilla:

Here are some things that are important for post players:

1. Always catch the ball and look to the middle.

*By doing this, a post man can see 90 percent of the court. He can locate his defender, see where double-teams in the defense are coming from and locate his teammates cutting to the basket.

2. A post player should always initiate contact in the lane.

* You can 'read your defender and which way to make a move when you get your body on him and know where he is. For example, when you "seal" your man away from the basket, it creates room to set up the lob pass over the top.

3. A post player should have a favorite move and a counter move.

* It is usually a waste of time to teach a player five or six moves inside because they wind up using none of them. It is better to perfect a jump hook or turnaround jumper. And, like a pitch who has a change-up to go with his fastball, a counter move is needed. I like the "up and under" where you fake the jump hook to get the defender off his feet, then step through and power the ball through the basket.

4. When rebounding, always keep your head and hands up and move towards the basket

*Rebounding is mostly about effort and desire so go hard to the basket on each shot.

5. A good rebounder anticipates where the missed shot will go.