Manning the Post: Successful Skills & Drills Work For Modern Post Players

with Danny Manning, University of Louisville Associate Head Men's Coach;
University of Maryland Interim Head Coach (2022);
University of Maryland Assistant Coach (2021);
Wake Forest University Head Coach (2014 to 2020);
2017 Skip Prosser Man of the Year Award;
University of Tulsa Head Coach (2012 to 2014);
2014 C-USA Coach of the Year;
2014 C-USA Champions;
distinguished member of the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame (2008);
University of Kansas Assistant Coach from 2003 to 2012 (2008 NCAA Championship);
played for Kansas (1988 NCAA Champions; 1988 NCAA Final Four Most Outstanding Player);
NABC Player of the Year (1988);
No. 1 overall pick in the 1988 NBA Draft;
2x NBA All Star; 1998 NBA Sixth Man of the Year

Even in today’s modern basketball, strong post play is still a vital aspect. One of the most prolific big men in college basketball history, former NBA player/now coach Danny Manning, details the ins and outs of developing great post players. Drawing on a wealth of knowledge and first-hand experience as a player and coach, Coach Manning shares insightful drills and coaching points to help you get the most out of your post players!

In this on-court presentation, Coach Manning delivers an in-depth look at how coaches can improve their team’s post play with multiple drills, including:

• Footwork
• On the block & off the block moves
• Post defense
• Skills for common offensive actions

Coach Manning talks about the importance of creating a presence in the post. This is a two-way partnership between post players and guards to create confidence when throwing the ball down low. Creating a presence in the post starts with a strong base and stance and learning to develop a “go after everything” mindset. Manning shares effective medicine ball drills to improve passing and catching as a key part of physical preparation training for developing a presence in the post. Coach Manning also shares his own insider tips to assist post players becoming more comfortable at receiving passes on and around the block.

Post-Player Drills

Coach Manning shows three ways to get open in the post; all of which are utilized throughout each subsequent drill and as each drill progresses. Post players must get comfortable using both feet while pivoting on and off the block. 

Using a chair at the top of the key, players go through a series of pivots and footwork drills going right and left. Each set of drills progresses and increases in complexity with different counters.

Coach Manning shares ‘The Jump Hook Drill’ which will help your post players develop a deadly move that is impossible to guard. Starting on the block, Manning calls upon his years of development from a young, aspiring player to playing at the highest level of basketball to share insightful coaching tips on how to perfect the jump hook. Once players catch the ball, the coach calls out which direction to pivot and shoot. A great move needs a counter, and Coach Manning gives you two. The ‘chop move’ and ‘middle rip’ makes your post players unpredictable as they attack and react to the defense!

Coach Manning shares additional skills and drills including: how to attack the defense from a strong position near the block to further out off the block, passing out of the post and how to pivot in the high post to create an advantage. 

Coach Manning equips you with a wonderful post player's primer to help your players gain an advantage in any scenario. With Danny Manning’s assistance, you can help your post players advance to the next level of post play!

75 minutes. 2023.