A drop step is the most basic move in the low post. With his back to the basket, the post player feels where the defender is. If the defender is on the high side, toward the free-throw line, the post player pivots on his top foot and drops his baseline foot back toward the rim. That one step puts the defender on his back and the rim in front of him. A power dribble and a two-foot finish complete it.
Why coaches use it
Because it gains ground without needing to beat anyone. The defender has chosen a side to stop the move to the middle; the drop step simply goes to the side he gave up. It is also the base for the counters. When the defender learns to stop it, the up-and-under and the jump hook go the other way.
How it is done
- Feel first. High side means drop to the baseline; baseline side means drop to the middle.
- Wide base and a target. Catch with two hands and chin the ball before moving.
- Drop, then seal. The step gains ground toward the rim and keeps the defender on your back.
- One power dribble, two feet. A hard dribble between the feet, then up off both feet and off the glass. Balance beats speed.
Coach’s Clipboard’s post breakdown drills run post moves first without a defender, then with a defender holding a pad, then live.
Our drop step power finish drill uses a dummy on the high side and a coach feeding from the wing, on both blocks, and it is tagged from U12. The finish is the same as a power layup.