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.