“Fronting” the post player means that the defender stands between the post player and the perimeter player that has the ball. There are two methods – “toes in” and “toes out”.

With toes in, the defender’s back faces the potential passer. This position potentially makes it easier to adjust position if the ball is passed to another teammate on the perimeter. The defender puts their “chin to shoulder” so that they can see the passer and the post player.

“Fronting defence” requires both good pressure on the person with the ball and also “split line” help, which is a defender standing near the basket that can intercept any attempted lob pass.

Post Defence – Fronting (Toes Out)

Toes Out fronting is where the defender faces the perimeter player that has the ball. The defender needs to keep a low, balanced stance – keeping contact with the post player with shoulders and elbows.

When the defence “fronts” a low post player, the offence can make a lob pass over the head of the defender.

The offence can also “reverse” the ball to a player that can then pass to the low post player.

Having a split line defender (x3) is key to stopping passes to a low post player that is “fronted”. x3 must be ready to move and intercept the pass if possible

On a reversal pass, x3 may hold in the key so they are able to intercept a pass to the low post player. x3 does not move to deny their own player until the post defender has re-established position (or another defender has rotated into the key).

If 3 is a good shooter, they may have to move earlier and the defence need to have another player rotate to the key.

Many teams do not “front” the low post and instead a defender will move behind the post defender as they move from denying a pass by 1 (playing on the high side) to denying a pass by 3 (playing on the low side).

“Fronting” the post is often done when the passer is at the wing, denying passes from the top or the corner.