Smallers players guarding Big man

[CupcakeNoFillin]

Maybe you should watch how every player in the league scores in the post. Well don't check EVERY player, but most of them. You'll probably find a player that does something that you can add to your game. For me at the point guard position, I learned a lot by watching Tony Parker, Mike Bibby, Sam Cassell and Allen Iverson... small point guards (except for Bibby) that find ways to score over taller people.

Maybe take a look at someone like Chris Bosh, Kevin Garnett, Rasheed Wallace, Tim Duncan etc.

Or look for a player who doesn't rely on brute strength and athleticsm to score inside the post. Someone who's more of a finesse big man. Maybe Pau Gasol or something.

[Illuminati]

What do you struggle with?

I'm a fan of Chris Bosh and I've been studying his game but he usually faces up and attacks the basket or settles for a jumper. I'm not nearly as quick as him, I have a good first step and I'm long which also helps but I tend to mix my game up more. It all depends who's guarding me of course.

I wish I could see more Spur games. Don't get me wrong, I find ways to score but I just want to take my game to another level.

[CupcakeNoFillin]

What do you struggle with?

I'm a fan of Chris Bosh and I've been studying his game but he usually faces up and attacks the basket or settles for a jumper. I'm not nearly as quick as him, I have a good first step and I'm long which also helps but I tend to mix my game up more. It all depends who's guarding me of course.

I wish I could see more Spur games. Don't get me wrong, I find ways to score but I just want to take my game to another level.

Me, i'm not really strong but I have good ballhandling ability and can drive it in and make outside shots. I just studied guys like Sam Cassel, Parker and Iverson to see ways to get the defender off of me, and how to take good shots in the paint.

But yeah, I think Tim Duncan would be a great person to study when it comes to scoring in the paint. I think you should study Kobe's inside game too. Even when he picks up his dribble, he does certain moves to get the defender in the air to draw a foul.

[jeremy1215]

Dude your 6'4 what the F are you doing playing in the post? Do you see 6'4 NBA players worrying about playing in the post? No, so just get perimeter skills and then you will kick butt against smaller players.

[Jordan23Forever]

That type of success on defense only happens to slow footed players.

- Look at how Stephen Jackson makes Dirk Nowitzki irrelevant.
- Look at how Al Harrington makes Yao Ming Irrelevant.
- Look at how Baron Davis makes Steve Nash irrelevant.

It happened to Dirk because he's a slow footed player, but it most likely won't happen to someone who's athletic as hell with a good handle. You can see those players have great success on defense when guarding slow players, but you won't see someone like Al Harrington being able to stop someone athletic like Dwight Howard most of the time. The only time when Al Harrington can stop someone like Howard, is when the pace of the game is quick enough that Dwight can't get into the right spot to dunk the ball.

This works against Stoudemire and the Suns too, the Suns refuse to slow down against other teams... that benifets the Warriors because their quick hands on D allows them to make Stoudemire somewhat irrelevant, since he has a hard time getting in the right spot on the floor to get a pass from Nash when the pace is fast and the Warriors defenders are all over the passing lanes.

The only slow footed big man this doesn't really work on, is Tim Duncan. Duncan always finds a way to circumvent that kind of defense.

And for you... NEVER dribble the ball too much against smaller defenders. Once you start your dribble against a smaller team, you're vulnerable to getting the ball stripped. I see the Warriors do that to people all the time, that's why they lead the league in steals. Instead, you gotta practice on working quick in the post, have good footwork, and pump fake when the time is right, to be able to score on those midgets. Also, learn how to pass well in the post, so when you become the focus of the defense you can always find an open man or cutter for an assist.

In addition to the above, the refs usually let smaller players get away with murder on big men on defense before they blow the whistle.

[EdMar_Davis]

Dude your 6'4 what the F are you doing playing in the post? Do you see 6'4 NBA players worrying about playing in the post? No, so just get perimeter skills and then you will kick butt against smaller players.

Easy there J-Rock, not everyone is tall as NBA players. Just because he's 6'4" doesn't mean he has to be playing in the primeter and not posting up shorter people.

[nate33]

When you are guarded by a shorter player, the key is to understand that the usual rules don't apply. Against people your own size, you need to use pump fakes, quick drop steps, or other savvy moves to free up space.

Shorter guys don't bother to try to block your shot because they've already accepted that it's not possible. They just try to body up against you and then give you a little nudge with the body as you make your move. The key against shorter opponents is to keep it simple. Just turn, lean into them a little bit, jump high, and shoot right over them. It isn't any more complicated than that. If you lean into them a little, they'll be called for a foul if they try to block your shot.

[tsherkin]

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I usually get the ball just outside of the key or at the baseline.

Alright, so you've got a good start here.

I'm in pretty much you're exact same position, though I'm a little shorter than you and probably lighter; I'm 6'2, 150 and I play in the post constantly against bigger players but I love and constantly exploit small guys.

The first thing you need to do if you ARE trying to move a small guy is get lower than usual; the second thing is that as soon as you feel contact, you move around them or hop back. My favorite move on a small guy I can't move well is to back into him for a bit on the left block, then give a head-and-shoulders fake to the baseline and jump-step into the key and then go up for a jump hook. They can't really touch that and if they don't bite on the baseline fake, you can complete the turn and either drive hard to the rim or stop and hit a jumper.

The next thing you need to work on is pivoting; it takes a lot of effort and time to develop that kind of footwork but it's totally worth it. I use a variety of cross and reverse pivots to screw my defender out of position and get myself closer to the basket and these are moves that don't consider the height of your opponent, they're universally applicable... and can be initiated from the backdown or the face-up, so they're versatile.

Assume you're on the left block (reverse the feet/directions on the right side); you face your smaller defender up but he's got a hand up and you're not comfortable shooting the contested J or a fadeaway. First thing you do is put your leg across him, e.g. towards the baseline but diagonally. This accomplishes two things:

1) It puts your body between him and the ball (which you have on your hip on the other side of your body in what's basically triple-threat)

and

2) It sets up a host of moves.

From here, you can blow past him and use length to get to the rim depending on your angle, or you can get your shot off ala Larry Bird. Bird and Jack Sikma did this a lot. From a backdown, if you pivot towards your free foot, it's an inside pivot and it moves your leg through the defender and usually forces him back and leaves him vulnerable to a shot fake. But forget that for a second; leg across, crouching a bit, ball secure from his hands. If he touches the ball, it's a reach, so you can feel free to elbow him if he tries if you're a physical player.

Anyway, from that position, you've got the drive, you've got the jump and you've got the jab, then swing through to the opposite side drive. And whatever pump fakes and such you want to throw in along the way.

But let's say he's not biting on that and you don't have the drive and don't want the jumper; you move the leg across and take a dribble towards the basket. If he doesn't budge, keep your dribble live and come around (he can't reach across you if you position your body properly or you can call foul every time). If you're lucky, you can make a long step with your left leg (the leg that was previously your pivot foot) and go up strong for a hook shot or even a squared-up J if you have the space. If he follows you, pivot back the other way and you can up-and-under.

Small guys cannot guard you, whether you can shoot over them, move them or not. You exploit your length and then use fundamental footwork just like against a big guy, only it's harder for them to recover if they screw up. You should be able to get a good shot off against a little guy every time if you're left in single coverage and even most times if a help defender is sent, as long as he doesn't get there before you make your first move.

[bballmaniac27]

I used to have a similar problem with short quick guys too.

The key is to dribble as little as possible. I like posting up on the right block so what I'll do when I catch the ball is to give a shoulder fake towards the middle, and then pivot off my right foot and do a turn around jumper. I find that it's a reliable and simple move against short guys.

Another one of my moves is to do a reverse pivot right as you catch the ball. This should create some space for a 5 - 10 foot jumper, you don't have to worry about getting your shot blocked since your opponent is significantly shorter than you. If he doesn't react, then you already have half a step on him and you should be able to blow past him.

Another favourite of mine is to give a ball fake towards the baseline, take one drop step towards the middle jump stop and do a baby hook.

The key is to keep it simple..... against short quick guys there's no need for up and unders or any other fancy moves IMO.

[Illuminati]

Thank you very much. I'll practice this and put it to use.

I really appreciate it.

[tsherkin]

Yeah, if you were to distill it:

1) Make quick moves

2) Dribble as little as possible

3) Use your body to create space and shield the ball

4) Don't forget how much LONGER you are then your defender, in the arms and the legs, and how easy that makes it to get around/past/over smaller guys.

Those are pretty much the core principles for mercilessly abusing little guys.

[Joseph17]

I wish I had your problem. I'm 5'10 constantly have to go against bigger guys. It's a lot easier for me to guard a tall and skinny guy than it is for me to guard a tall and heavy guy. I suggest that you work on your post moves and your turnaround jump shot. Look at how KG dominates against smaller defenders. He keeps the ball high at all times and makes it almost impossible for the defender to contest the shot.

[tsherkin]

I wish I had your problem. I'm 5'10 constantly have to go against bigger guys. It's a lot easier for me to guard a tall and skinny guy than it is for me to guard a tall and heavy guy. I suggest that you work on your post moves and your turnaround jump shot. Look at how KG dominates against smaller defenders. He keeps the ball high at all times and makes it almost impossible for the defender to contest the shot.

Guarding tall heavy guys is a giant pain in the butt; you generally have to front them and hope your help prevents the over-the-top lob pass.

The best thing to do is the Karl Malone; use your hands to keep the ball below his waste as long as possible, call for help, learn how to pull the chair and otherwise try to deny him position earlier in the possession, etc.

[Illuminati]

Yeah, if you were to distill it:

1) Make quick moves

2) Dribble as little as possible

3) Use your body to create space and shield the ball

4) Don't forget how much LONGER you are then your defender, in the arms and the legs, and how easy that makes it to get around/past/over smaller guys.

Those are pretty much the core principles for mercilessly abusing little guys.

You wouldn't happen to have a visual would you (youtube maybe). I understood your post but a video would make it easier lol.

And I'm a gym rat so once I get the hang of it I doubt it'll be a nagging problem. I've watched KG, I'm not a fan of his game. I'm skinny but if I have a shorter player on me I don't want to settle for a jumpshot, I'm going to the rack every chance I get until I get double teamed.

[tsherkin]

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You wouldn't happen to have a visual would you (youtube maybe). I understood your post but a video would make it easier lol.

No, unfortunately I don't habitually record myself... but I can recommend the BetterBasketball Better Post Play video.

You also want to develop your left hand as much as possible; ideally, you should be like Chris Kaman, able to do everything with your left that you can with your right (he's actually right-handed but apparently good with his right and BETTER with his left, which is just... unfair). Jump hooks, layups, everything.

If you're looking for good guys to emulate, watch a lot of Olajuwon (but only when he starts at or under 15 feet), he was pretty quick-footed and had a dazzling array of post moves. Obviously, you won't be able to do the dunk finishes but watch his spins and his pivots.

You can also look at guys like Ewing, D-Rob... but I'd be studying Kareem's skyhook, that shot is unguardable if you learn it. I'm utterly unguardable on the right block from 10 feet and in because if I get the angle, I'll bank it in every time and I can hit it straight baseline for a swish. It takes work to learn but it's nasty. And then of course on the left block, I've got the step-in jump hook as my go-to move but I can skyhook there too.

Skyhook works great against tall players; short guys have NO chance to touch that shot and will foul you anytime they do ANYTHING to you while you wheel and deal because you're not moving into them.

[CupcakeNoFillin]

^^Patrick O'Bryant does a sky hook, but Don Nelson never plays his ass.

A team would be lucky to pick him up for cheap this offseason.

[CupcakeNoFillin]

Yeah, if you were to distill it:

1) Make quick moves

2) Dribble as little as possible

3) Use your body to create space and shield the ball

4) Don't forget how much LONGER you are then your defender, in the arms and the legs, and how easy that makes it to get around/past/over smaller guys.

Those are pretty much the core principles for mercilessly abusing little guys.

yay, i recommended those first two too.

but yeah, that's a good way to sum up everything that's been said in the thread. i think those 4 are really important things to remember. now it's just up to the OP to put in work and practice.