When I’m circulating through coaching circles, I hear the term “Post Player” tossed around quite a bit. That term, that label, comes with a lot of baggage. Traditionally it can mean:

A player who is planted in the mid-post with their back to the basket.
A player who is expected to make their offensive moves with their back to the basket.
A player who follows the ball while in the post, keeping him or herself on line with the ball and the basket.
A bigger, slower player who cannot play “facing the basket” on the perimeter.
Along with this traditional definition is the assumption that every team must have a “POST PLAYER”. I simply disagree. I would like us (Read & React coaches) to consider redefining “Post Player”. When I say “Post Player”, I don’t necessarily have the traditional image in my mind. Every time I’m working with a team, I’m challenged to communicate the Read & React definition versus the traditional image:

I don’t believe the lane should be occupied and controlled by one player. That piece of real estate that we call “the lane” is much too valuable for one player to monopolize.
A Post Player can play in the High Post and Short Corner and be very effective with “face-up” moves. High Post and Short Corner do not demand “back-to- the-basket” skills. The High Post and Short Corner allow THE LANE to remain open for the rest of the team.
A Post Player can be a “Ducker” or a “Diver” from the perimeter, high post, short corner, or weakside mid-post. In other words, wait for your turn to “Duck-In” to the ball-side-passing-window – when the ball can see you and be delivered to you. Many times this occurs off the tail of a cutter. A High Post Player or Short Corner Player can “Dive” of the tail of a cutter like a DRAFT DRIVE and receive the ball in the post.
The number one thing that I want to communicate to the Read & React team regarding a “Post Player” is this: I don’t care about your size or skills. A READ & REACT POST PLAYER is someone who can damage the defense inside or around the lane.This might mean someone who receives the ball in the post and is a great passer to cutters and fillers, producing lay-ups and inside-out- 3-point- shots.
This applies to anyone who can receive the ball and score from any of the posting areas from High Post to Mid-Post to Short Corner. I could care less if the moves are “back-to- the-basket” or not. Points are points.
You might be our best screener – back-screening perimeter players when you see a good chance to send a teammate to the hole. Or, screening for cutters and shaping up to receive the ball and making your move during the confusion.
Let’s ELIMINATE THE BAGGAGE that comes with the title “Post Player”. We don’t have to stick to traditional definitions. With the Read & React, we can broaden the game and increase scoring opportunities for everyone on the team by redefining the “Post Player!”