Big frame center vs. big team

Hey everybody how was the weekend? This weeks post will be on how a team with a big frame center (Team A) should compete against another large team (Team B). First off, this game should be a straight up battle from tip off until the final buzzer.

 Offensively the centers on both teams will be hustling and banging down low against each other. Lay ups will be scored solely on the ability of the center to go up strong every time and get the defender off balance. A head fake should be able to get the defender off of the center for a split second, which is long enough for him to go up strong to the hoop. Another move to do would be the pump fake to get the defender into the air. At this point the center can jump into the defender and attempt a lay up, trying to draw a foul. Besides these basic moves, if the center wishes to score it must be off of put backs, mid range jumpshots, or high-skill center moves.

                                             A successful pump fake with the defender in the air

Now since each team is the same size, they should be the same speed and this should eliminate excessive fast breaks. Depending on how successful the center is depends on how he is utilized. If he scores the majority of the time he will keep being fed the ball, is he isn't however his team will avoid passing the ball to him. Team A must now hit shots to pull the defense out of the paint, opening it for the center and slashers. At this point Team A's offensive game is based off of if they can hit shots consistently.

                                Center going up strong against his defender, hopefully drawing a foul

Defensively, Team A's center must force Team B's center out of the paint. The defender must get low and push at the sides of his knees with his hips, which will legally get the center of Team B out of the paint. This will cut the center's offensive opportunities in half, leaving him with shooting and driving for scoring opportunities. The rest of Team A must either play zone or man to man defense depending on Team B's success at shooting that night. If Team B is on fire, go into a man to man, if they are off lay low in a zone defense.

 Notice how the defender (white) has his knee against the center posting up's knee. At any point he could easily move the offensive center (red) out of the paint. The key the moving a center out of the paint is low position

This game will be a battle in the paint and a shoot out, passing game outside. If Team A's center is successful down low they have a much higher chance of winning the game. But this type of game is a toss up each night because the teams are equally matched. It all comes down to who is ready to play and who is not.

Video Tutorials for basic center offensive skills

Hi everybody! This weeks post will be video tutorials on previous moves I have explained.

                                                                         Drop Step

                                                                           Hook Shot

                                                         Drop step to jump shot

                                                             Proper shooting technique

Hope these videos help!

Lanky Center vs. Fast Team

How was everybody's weekend? This post will be on how a lanky center's team (Team A) should play against a smaller faster team (Team B). This first rule applies to both center builds and that is to run. Team A must constantly be on the move while on D to slow down Team B, preventing free break aways.

Second, the lanky center should be used in the paint due to the often smaller size of the team. If Team A's center can post up and easily make his lay-ups he should be utilized that way. But sometimes the lanky center is muscled out of the paint and needs to revert to his jump shot and passing abilities.

The center should shoot within their range and at their "hot spots" where they feel guaranteed to some shots. After hitting a few jump shots this will open up the lanky center's teammates for slashing opportunities. The center will get the ball and instantly the D should crash on him if he has been hitting his shots leaving gaps throughout the defense. A simple bounce pass placed correctly during a slash will earn him an assist and his teammate two easy points. Now that offense has been handled time to move onto D.

 This picture represents an effective way to pass and slash while utilizing the center passing the ball at the free throw line

Defense for the lanky center should be a cake walk against a fast team.Team A should be able to enter man to man coverage against Team B and hold up well. The center is big, but skinny meaning he has speed. He can keep up with the fast paced offense and still be a head taller than anyone on the court.

Rebounding should be very easy for the lanky center also because of his height but they can be muscled out of the paint quite easily. If so, the center must constantly be moving and pushing down low, fighting for position. Rebounds will be ripped from the boards and quickly outletet to the point guard or guards.


The following blog offers many of my perspectives on what one needs to do to become a great rebounder.  http://basketball.lifetips.com/cat/13/rebounding-the-basketball/index.htm


Victory requires the team to use their lanky center as a power down low, shooter, and passer. Offense will come easily if the center is utilized in all 3 ways, and defense should be easy enough if Team A keeps a tight man to man defense.

Big frame center vs. fast team

Hey everybody how's it going? This post will be on how a team with a big frame center[team A] should play against a faster, smaller team[team B]. The first thing that must be done is RUN. Team A must constantly be running or else team B will just out hustle them and constantly get fast breaks. But if team A can't keep up the running they must resort to passing the ball upcourt.

Next team A must utilize their center in the paint. Team B is faster, but at the cost of size, so hammering the ball down low to the center will lead to easy lay ups. Then when Team B begins to crash down on the center it opens up mid-range to the 3 for shots.

                                                   A center posting up waiting to get the ball

On the defensive end team A must either play zone or man to man defense depending on the team's strength. But, they must cut off passing lanes to avoid break aways and open shots. I would personally recommend a spread 2 3 zone because team B typically won't be driving towards to hoop. In the spread 2 3 zone the forwards and guards will take away the opportunity for open shots so team B really has to work for their points.

                                                                 The spread 2 3 zone

Overall for team A to best team B they must do 3 things. Run, hammer the ball down low to center, and play a spread 2 3 zone.

Skills every center should have PT. 2

What's going on everybody, this post will be a continuation of my last. Every center should have at least three go to moves, as I have described in my last post. A center should also be able to pass, shoot mid range, and rebound. Being on the top of the key and having the ball is a big threat. The center should be able to shoot the ball if they are open, or pass it to a team mate who is cutting towards the hoop. This keeps the defending team honest on defense forcing them to cover every area if the center can shoot and also pass in the seams of the D. If he shoots, the defense is forced to cover him. Next time he gets the ball, D will be on him so there should be a lane for a teammate to slash into. A quick bounce pass timed right will lead the slashing teammate right to the hoop with little to no defense for an easy two points.

Mid range shooting will also greatly improve the center's chance of scoring. The defense will see him both as a threat in the paint and in mid range. This will keep the defense honest and cause the defender to constantly watch his man. A center with a good jump shot can easily rack up points because when he is shooting hot, the defense will be on him outside. But then he can move into the paint and do some post moves.

Rebounding is a must for absolutely every center. They are the tallest players in the paint and NEED to rip the ball. Boxing out the defender and jumping to get control of the ball are a must if the center wishes to be a successful rebounder.

Villanova (Blue) is boxing out Georgetown (Gray) preventing him from getting the rebound

Jumping to rebound the ball

Skills every center should have

Hey what's up everybody! This weeks post will be on skills that every center, despite their build, should have. First off, being a center, one should have at least three go-to moves when they are in the paint. My personal favorites are the drop step, baby hook, and drop step jump shot.

Drop step is the most basic move, the center just drops one of his legs behind the center, power dribbles, then goes up for an easy lay up.

 The baby hook can be used either toward the middle or outwards. The center takes one power dribble either inwards or out, and then does a small hook shot while keeping his shoulder parallel with his defender.

And finally, the drop step jump shot. This move is used if one's defender is taller and can easily swat their lay-ups down. The center does a drop step mid key either inwards or out. They then do a jump shot aiming for a swoosh or to bank it in.