“Doubling the post” in basketball refers to a defensive strategy where two defenders collaborate to guard an offensive player who is positioned in the low post area near the basket. The purpose of doubling the post is to apply increased pressure on the offensive player, limit their scoring options, and potentially force a turnover.
When a team decides to double the post, one defender, usually the player guarding the offensive player on the perimeter or weak side, leaves their assigned player and quickly rotates to help the primary defender who is guarding the post player. The two defenders work together to surround the offensive player, making it challenging for them to make a move or find an open teammate.
The primary defender, who is already guarding the post player, aims to deny or disrupt the offensive player’s preferred moves and prevent them from scoring. The secondary defender, who has come to double-team, looks to either block passing lanes, trap the offensive player, or apply additional pressure to force a turnover or a difficult shot.
By doubling the post, the defensive team tries to create a temporary numerical advantage near the basket and force the offensive player to make hasty decisions or pass the ball to an open teammate. However, this strategy also leaves the offensive player’s original defender’s assignment momentarily open, potentially allowing other offensive players to find scoring opportunities if they move and position themselves effectively.
Doubling the post requires good communication, coordination, and timing between the defenders involved. It is often employed against dominant low post players or teams with strong inside scoring threats to disrupt their offensive rhythm and neutralize their impact on the game.