How to Guard a Taller Post Player

A smaller basketball player can have success guarding giants in the post. Look no further than Hall of Famer Charles Barkley, who used a combination of skills and muscle to nab more than 12,000 rebounds in his NBA career despite being 6 feet 6 inches tall. A defender's nimble feet and body strength can counteract size, but a distinct advantage can be gained even before taking the court. By scouting his opponent, he can learn an opponent's tendencies and limit close-range scoring attempts.

Instructions

    • 1

      Learn the strengths of the player you are assigned to guard. Identifying the player's shooting hand and favorite moves gives you a defensive advantage. Use the information with your footwork, positioning and ball denial skills to force the action to his weak side, increasing the likelihood of missed shots.

    • 2

      Deny entry passes to the post. Position yourself between the ball and the player you're guarding. Take a defensive position at the post player's hip and play with your arm extended to block a chest pass.

    • 3

      Move your feet and react quickly to ball and player movement. Swing behind the post player to the opposite hip when the offense reverses sides of court with the ball. If the post player receives the ball, step in quickly behind and use your leg strength to establish position. This move will limit the post player's ability to back you down to the hoop; instead, you can push her subtly off the blocks without fouling by moving your feet to block her moves.

    • 4

      Know how the referees are calling the game. In some leagues, from amateur to professional, some officials will allow more physical play inside as long as player safety is not an issue. A loosely called game may allow for hand-checking or bumping, which can be used in moderation with footwork to move a taller player off the blocks.