Playing one of the "big man" positions - center, forward, or for that matter, whenever a player finds himself in the post area - requires a different mind set and skills set than playing out on the three point line. And of course, it requires a different type of basketball drill to develop this mind set and skills set.

Guards and wings are rewarded for finesse and "touch"; post players require focus, persistence, and aggression. Post players need to perform while being jabbed, elbowed, hip-checked and worse. It's the nature of the game - put three or four or five big guys into a crowded space and tell them all to do the same thing, they're going to run into each other.

But they still have to perform, even while they are being bounced around. They have to be able to take the ball up strong to the hoop, finishing the shot even with an elbow in the ribs.

This set of basketball post drills focuses on offensive moves your players can use near the hoop. Some of these drills will deliberately introduce contact in order to simulate game situations. Other drills are solely intended to improve basic skills.

In the drills that deliberately force the contact, players need to make strong moves and be persistent. In the basic skills drills – like the Mikan Drill – where there is no contact made, the emphasis changes to performing the skills with the best form and proper concentration, to build muscle memory so that, when the players are in the game, good mechanics become second-nature.

• The Mikan Drill
  
  
• The Baby Hook Variation of the Mikan Drill
  
  
• Power Layup Drill
  
  
• The 2 Man Cut Throat Drill
  
  

Remember to keep your players focused on the basic skill – i.e., they must always use proper form and movement every time they run these basketball post drills. The better their form is in practice, the better it will transfer to the game.

And remember to keep them focused on the job - post players must be able to tune out what is going on around them, so they are not distracted by contact or missed shots. In the post position, aggression and persistence will always win.