In today's individual post offense coaching, players are coached to approach the game from outside-in. As a result of this approach, post players are comfortable out in the perimeter where they are less effective. Any post player looking to attack the defense with the dribble and a jump shot from 10 to 15 feet off is defendable by a much shorter, quicker defensive player. This is the main reason why post players struggle on offense.
Starting out in the perimeter shooting jump shots, turnaround and fade-away jumpers takes away the post player's most valuable asset - height. Successful post players approach post offense from inside out. This allows the post player to first learn how to put the basketball in the basket before taking their games outside with the power post moves.
The Scoring Options
When working from inside-out, a post player must first learn the scoring options. Remember, these are not moves, but ways of finishing or putting the basketball in the basket depending on what the defensive player gives you. All together, there are 14 scoring options; five resulting from the jump shot series, four from the jump hook shot series, and five from the convention hook shot series. This page, outlines the The Convention Hook Shot Series.
The Convention Hook Shot Series
Convention Hook Shot
Start in the left block between the 1st and 2nd harsh-mark with your back facing the baseline. Keep your feet almost even and shoulder width apart with th knees slightly flexed to maintain an explosive stance. Hold the basketball in the shooting pocket away from the defensive player for protection.
From the side power stance, jump off your inside foot, and shoot a convention hook shot with the right hand. Try to maintain your side position until after you have released the basketball.
Convention One-step Hook Shot
Assume the same solid stance as described above. From this low explosive stance, step in the lane leading with your off-foot, and shifting through a 120-degree angle relative to your pivot-foot. This will allow you to avoid charging into the defensive player when getting into the shot. Remember to keep the basketball in the shooting pocket away from the defensive player for protection and lead with your lowered inside shoulder. Flex your knees slightly, however, keep your upper body straight.
Transfer your body weight to your lead-foot. Jump off the same lead-foot and shoot a convention one-step hook shot. When getting in the hook shot, shift the basketball up over your out shoulder before shooting the ball. This shift will protect the basketball by keeping it away from the defensive player.
Crossover-step Convention Hook Shot
Assume the same stance as above. From the low explosive stance, pivot off the inside foot in an anti-clockwise direction (200 degrees). After the transition, you will end up facing the baseline. As you pivot, ahift the basketball over your head to the outside hip. You may also shift the basketball across your body leading the drive with your pointed elbow.
Jump off the off-foot, and shoot a convention one-step hook shot with the left hand. Try to maintain the low explosive stance when getting into the scoring option. Also, keep your shoulder parallel to the baseline when shooting to protect the basketball.
Reverse-step Convention Jump Shot
Start in the same power position as described above From the low explosive stance, reverse-step in a clockwise shifting your body toward the baseline. After going through almost 120 degrees shift, you will end up in the same stance as the Crossover-Step Jump Shot facing the baseline. Swing the basketball to the outside hip.
Jump off the off-foot, and shoot a convention one-step hook shot with the left hand. Try to maintain the low explosive stance when getting into the scoring option. Also, keep your shoulder parallel to the baseline when shooting to protect the basketball.
The Side Sliding Convention Hook Shot
Start in the left block between the 1st and 2nd harsh marks with your back facing the baseline. Keep your feet almost even and shoulder width apart with th knees slightly flexed to maintain an explosive stance. Hold the basketball in the shooting pocket away from the defensive player for protection. With the first dribble, slide in a path parallel to the lane-restriction line (line connecting the baseline to the free-throw elbow). Pick up the basketball and cut into the lane at an angle (15-45 degrees) on the second slide.
Pivot off the lead-foot, and shoot a convention one-step hook shot. Remember, this is not your typical running hook shot. It is a well calculated, methodical, and deliberate option that opens up other options if the defensive player overplays the dribble.