Post-up Footwork: Drop Step, Up-and-Under, and the Turnaround Hook Shot

Introduction

From Kareem, Hakeem, Shaq to Embiid, Jokić, the post-up has always been the signature move of dominant centers. Although modern basketball has shifted toward the perimeter, NBA stats show post-ups still account for about 4% of offensive possessions, with a field goal percentage around 47% and an expected points value of 0.95—far from negligible. This article breaks down the three main post-up footwork techniques.

1. The Three Fundamentals of Post-up

2. Sealing: The Prerequisite for Every Post-up

No seal, no post-up:

• Sit your hips down, knees slightly bent
• Extend both hands to find contact points
• Use your back to “push off” the defender and establish position
• Ideal catch position is from the elbows on both sides of the free-throw line to the edge of the paint

The essence of Hakeem Olajuwon’s “Dream Shake” is not the moves themselves, but the footwork speed after sealing.

3. Drop Step: The Most Basic Post Footwork

The drop step is the signature of Shaq and Embiid.

• After catching the ball, feel which side the defender is on
• Use the foot “farther from the defender” as the pivot foot
• Take a big step toward the basket with the other foot (drop)
• Bring the pivot foot through, gather the ball with both hands, and prepare for the layup

Key: The step must be big enough and low enough, or it will get blocked.

4. Up-and-under: Faking the Layup to Fool the Defender

When the defender is accustomed to jumping to block shots, the up-and-under is most effective.

• Fake the jump for a layup, raising the ball up
• The moment the defender jumps, pull the ball down
• Keep the pivot foot planted, step with the other foot toward the other side of the basket
• By the time the defender lands, you’ve already released the shot on the other side

Kevin McHale’s and Embiid’s up-and-under moves are classic examples.

5. Turnaround Hook Shot: The Answer When Facing Away from the Defense

When the defender is pressed tightly on your back, forcing a turnaround invites a steal. The hook shot is the best solution.

• Rotate the pivot foot 90 degrees (from facing away to facing sideways)
• Use the inside hand to protect the ball, shoot with the outside hand
• Raise the shooting elbow to shoulder height
• High arc, soft touch off the glass

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s “Skyhook” is the most unstoppable shot in history.

6. The Evolution of the Modern Post-up

Jokić and Sabonis have changed how the post-up is used:

• Post passer: Catch in the low post but don’t isolate—pass to cutters or shooters on the perimeter
• Inverted post: Guards seal in the low post (e.g., Luka against smaller defenders)
• Short corner: The short corner near the low post, connecting the inside and outside game

Practical Advice

• Practice sealing for 5 minutes daily to find a stance that “can’t be pushed off”
• Mikan Drill upgrade: add drop step, up-and-under, and hook
• Two-player competition: start 1v1 from the low post, limit to a shot within 4 seconds
• Learn to read the defense: have teammates stand in different positions, and you choose the corresponding footwork
• Watch Embiid and Jokić film, analyze how they “seal first, then score”

Conclusion

Although post-ups have declined in the three-point era, they remain essential for big men—and even guards who can isolate. Master the seal, drop step, up-and-under, and hook shot, and you can establish a reliable scoring presence in the paint.

Related Reading

• Passing Techniques: Choosing Between Bounce, Chest, Overhead, and No-look
• Fast Break: Timing and Decision-Making in the Three-Lane Push
• Drop Defense vs Switch Defense: Two Mainstream Pick-and-Roll Defenses
• Rebounding and Boxing Out: The Real Key to Grabbing Boards