Post Player Drills: Footwork, Finishing and a Summer Workout for Bigs

Post players are often the last players on the team to get individual attention. Guards get ball-handling and shooting work, while bigs get told to rebound and run. But a post player who can finish with either hand, face up from the block and knock down an elbow jumper changes what your whole offense can do.

The good news is that post skills are built with simple, repeatable drills. Here are the ones I would put at the center of any big’s workout, and how to put them together for the summer.

Start with footwork

Almost every post move starts with the feet: a good pivot, a balanced stop and the ability to finish off two feet. That is why the best post workouts start with the same footwork and finishing every single day, before any shooting.

1. The Mikan series

The Mikan drill is the foundation. The player stands under the basket and alternates layups from each side without letting the ball touch the floor. Add the reverse Mikan, finishing on the opposite side of the rim, and the two-ball Mikan once players are comfortable. Count makes, and push for both hands every time.

2. Jump hooks with both hands

The jump hook is the hardest shot to block for a post player. Work stationary jump hooks from the middle of the lane and off the backboard from each side, left and right hand. Players should land on two feet and keep the ball high.

3. Finishes off two feet

Teach bigs to jump off two feet and land on two feet around the rim. It gives them balance through contact and lets them pump fake or go up strong. Add widen-out layups and backward-step finishes so players can finish when the defender cuts off the direct line to the rim.

4. Reverse pivot from the block and elbow

Catching on the block or elbow and reverse pivoting to face the basket opens up a whole set of moves: the jab, the rip baseline, the drive to the middle, the spin back and the step-back jumper. Work each one from both sides, and finish off two feet.

5. Elbow and short-range shooting

A big who can make the elbow jumper pulls his or her defender away from the rim and opens the lane. Work stationary elbow shots, then moving elbow shots, then two-dribble pull-ups. Floaters from the short corner and the middle of the lane are worth adding too.

Structuring the week

A simple structure keeps the workload manageable and makes sure every skill gets reps:

• Every day: a footwork and finishing warm-up with the Mikan series, jump hooks and two-foot finishes.
• Three days a week: shooting volume from the elbow and around the lane, plus 10 minutes of ball handling.
• Two days a week: reverse-pivot finishes, floaters, transition shooting and 50 free throws to finish.

Players should count makes, not attempts, so the workout has a clear finish line every day.

Get the full summer workout

I put this structure into a printable plan with the exact make counts for every drill. You can get the R&G Summer Post Player Workout free by entering your email.

If you want to see how a skilled post fits into an offense, read how the high-low motion offense works or look at the 1-4 Continuity Offense.

About the author: Coach Chris Murray coached basketball for more than 17 years at every level and won over 220 games, including the 2026 state championship at Parkersburg. R&G Basketball is where he shares the practice plans, playbooks and drills he used. More about Coach Murray.