Page 6 - Joel Embiid Development Plan

Solution
He must sit lower and seal with elbows bent to avoid pushing off with his hands. He is big and strong enough to get position without doing that. First step to fix it would be to show him clips of him making these mistakes. The second step would be to demand perfect discipline (sit lower, post with hips and butt, show hands, and don’t push off) while posting up in individual workouts and hold him accountable in workouts, practices and games.
Joel must improve his balance in the post. He easily gets off balance when there is contact or after he makes a move. This is an issue for most big men as it is difficult for people that tall to stay balanced throughout a succession of movements due to their higher center of gravity. Sometimes, Joel’s talent puts his body in awkward positions. His balance can definitely be improved, and it should be a big point of emphasis in the summer. Here are a few examples of Joel losing his balance and how it leads to turnovers.
Balance is not an easy fix. It takes time. However, with the right plan in place, progress will be seen quickly. I believe this is one the most important areas to improve on for Joel. It will help his game all over the floor, not just in the post. This plan would start with a discussion with Todd Wright, head of strength and conditioning. He could really impact Joel’s balance through his work in the weight room, which he has probably started. We would also do balance drills with a ball as warmup during individual workouts, which I called basketball Yoga. I would encourage Joel to start Yoga this summer (if he has not been doing it). It can be a great tool to find balance in difficult positions. It has been proven to improve balance, flexibility, and also prevent injuries. Some NBA players swear by it, including big men such as Demarcus Cousins or star players like Lebron James.
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