Andrew Pace
The center, often referred to as the
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Height | The center is often the tallest player on the team. |
| Offensive role | The center's offensive role includes scoring near the basket, screening, rolling, sealing, and posting. |
| Defensive role | The center's defensive role includes protecting the basket, blocking shots, and rebounding. |
| Mobility | The center must be able to move quickly up and down the court to keep up with opponents on defense. |
| Footwork | The center must have excellent footwork to spin and use their feet to get around opponents when playing with their back to the basket. |
| Strength | The center must be strong to battle for position and rebounds inside. |
| Rebounding | The center should be a strong rebounder on both offense and defense, anticipating where the ball will go and timing their jumps to grab rebounds. |
| Passing | Although not usually a playmaker, the center should have good passing skills to create scoring opportunities. |
| Shooting | The center should have a reliable mid-range shot and may also step outside to make three-pointers. |
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What You'll Learn
Rebounding
Positioning and Angles
Positioning is key when it comes to rebounding. While being close to the rim is advantageous, you don't want to be too close. Assume that every shot will result in a long rebound and adjust your position accordingly. Watch the angle of the shot and how it comes off the rim. Over time, you'll develop a feel for where the ball will bounce, allowing you to anticipate and beat your opponents to the rebound.
Hustle and Desire
Technique
Good technique will make you a better rebounder. When a shot goes up, locate the offensive player with your forearm and use your hip or backside to maintain contact and drive them backward. Keep your arms up, elbows out, and hands ready to grab the ball. Boxing out is an important technique for rebounding, and it can be used both offensively and defensively.
Practice and Drills
Improving your rebounding skills requires practice and drills. Study where the ball misses depending on the shooter's position. Watch games and pay attention to great rebounders to understand their techniques and positioning.
Size and Athleticism
While size and athleticism can be advantageous for rebounding, they don't guarantee success. Even if you're not the tallest or most athletic player, you can still be a great rebounder by mastering angles, positioning, and anticipation.
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Footwork and positioning
Centers need to constantly battle for position, which means they must be in a good spot to get rebounds or have the ball lobbed to them. A center should focus on mastering the pick and roll, as this is the most basic and one of the most effective plays in basketball. They should also learn the technique of sealing, which involves getting the defender on your back near the basket, generally between the block and the hash mark outside the foul lane.
Centers should also be aware of passing lanes to get open, as sometimes only a small movement is needed to create space. When posting up, a center should aim to be lower and wider than the defender, making it harder for them to get around. They can also use their back to feel how they are being guarded.
In terms of positioning, centers are typically the tallest player on the team and play an enforcer role near the basket on defense, while also being an inside scorer. They are often the best rebounder on the team, tasked with getting missed shots on both offense and defense.
The role of the center has evolved, and while they were once primarily low-post players, they are now expected to have some shooting ability and provide versatility to the team. This includes being able to step outside and make mid-range or three-point shots, dragging the opposing team's center away from the basket and creating more space for teammates.
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$21.99
Free throw shooting
Routine and Consistency
Developing a pre-shot routine and sticking to it is vital for improving your free-throw shooting. Create a step-by-step process that you follow each time you approach the free-throw line. This might include the number of times you bounce the ball, your breathing, and your gaze. John Gillon, for example, bounces the ball three times, looks down at the floor, then raises his eyes to find the rim. This routine helps with mental recollection, confidence, and muscle memory.
Form and Technique
The power of your shot comes from your legs. Keep your knees bent and your weight on your toes while balancing the ball with your non-dominant hand. Engage your core to stabilize your body and allow yourself to focus on aiming at the hoop. When shooting, extend your knees and elbow, and flick your wrist to generate backspin on the ball. Keep your feet on the ground and ensure your shooting arm follows through in a straight line, with your hand finishing in a "goose neck" position, your index finger pointing to the center of the basket.
Focus and Practice
Free-throw shooting requires intense focus. Take a deep breath to help you concentrate, and block out distractions like crowd noise or opponent trash talk. Visualize your shot going in. Practice simulating game-time scenarios to get comfortable shooting free throws under pressure. Practice the same shot over and over again to build muscle memory and consistency.
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Mastering post moves
One of the most important post moves for a center to master is the jump hook shot. This move works best in the low post position. After receiving the pass, make a shoulder fake, then dribble out to create some distance between you and the defender. Then, facing the sideline, bring the ball up along the outside of your body, turning slightly as you rise for a jump. As you lift the ball higher, the inside hand comes off the ball to defend, while the outside shooting arm extends as you jump. Then, flick your wrist to send the ball to the basket with a hook shot.
Another effective low post move is the drop step. After receiving the ball in the low post, dribble to get close to your defender. If you are already being closely defended when you receive the ball, make a jump stop so that either foot can be your pivot foot. Then, with your feet close to the defender's feet, do a drop step, wrapping your foot around the leg and foot of the defender. This move requires a careful reading of the opponent's feet.
The baseline jump shot is another common and effective post move. After receiving the basketball, the player makes a quick shoulder fake, then takes a step and pivots in the other direction, often toward the baseline. Then the player jumps and shoots. The combination of the fake-out with the pivot is often enough to create the space and time needed for a clean jump shot.
To improve your post moves, it is important to practice performing and defending different moves in scrimmages. Incorporate basketball drills in the post position and practice fundamentals like power dribbles and proper footwork. Mix up your shooting drills to learn how to execute different types of shots, such as jump shots and fadeaways. Most importantly, practice these moves with a defender.
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Blocking shots
- Practice your timing. Jump shots are some of the most common shots in basketball, so knowing how to time your jump is crucial. Watch the other player's feet as they leave the ground, and jump up to meet them at their highest point.
- Use your body as an obstacle. Instead of actively reaching out and grabbing the ball, jump upward and use your body to block the shot. This will help you avoid making contact with the shooting player, reducing the risk of a foul.
- Stabilize your feet. Keeping your feet under control during a blocking technique will help you maintain proper position and reduce the risk of a foul. Keep your feet evenly spaced and relatively parallel to each other.
- Be aware of your positioning. As a center, you'll often be positioned near the basket on the defensive end of the floor. Use your height and wingspan to your advantage by positioning yourself to block shots, especially around the rim.
- Practice makes perfect. Work on your blocking skills through exercises like "run and rotate," where you run to block the path of an imaginary player and then quickly rotate to face them. You can also practice with a partner, standing in front of a wall and trying to block shots from hitting it.
- Develop a variety of moves. While blocking shots is important, it's also crucial to have a range of defensive and offensive moves. Work on your post moves, pick-and-roll techniques, and sealing moves to become a well-rounded player.
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Frequently asked questions
You need to be able to rebound, play hard defense, run the floor, pick and roll quickly to the basket, and block shots. You should also work on your footwork, strength, and agility.
You can use techniques like sealing, which involves getting the defender on your back near the basket, and setting screens. Moving just a few inches can also help you get open—always be aware of passing lanes from the ball to you.
On offense, your role is to be an inside scorer. You should be able to execute passes and have good court vision. You will often be the one setting screens to get others open, but this can also create opportunities for you to score.
Height is an important attribute for a center, as it allows them to rebound effectively and be an enforcer near the basket on defense. The average height of an NBA center is 6-foot-11, while the average WNBA center is just over 6-foot-4.
