It doesn’t matter whether it is in the defense or offense position the center is playing in the game of basketball ,as his job is equally as tough. There is tremendous pressure on him either way to get the job done. One of his greatest responsibilities is when it comes to the baskets. When on offense he is expected to make the close up baskets, while on defense he reverses his duties and stops the baskets.
To be successful the center must always concentrate on the various shots he will be called upon to make. When a defender is boxing you out in make a high jump when you are within the 6 feet mark of the basket.
Your under the basket shot must be practiced until you perfect it. Pay attention to the position you are in just prior to making the hook shot. Make sure your basketball is in the hand furthest away from your opponent. Now put your opposite shoulder near your opponent. You will now need to get the basketball not only above your shoulder but right over the defender as it heads for the basket.
You will only accomplish this by using a circular motion. Call a bluff by faking the shot. Keep your opponent guessing. Basketball is the ideal game to do this because of its fast moving pace. It doesn’t give the opponent much time to read your body language. Pretend to take the shot, stop, and as soon as your opponent reacts to your pretense then take the shot.
Layup shots take a little bit of practice to perfect. This is something you will need to work on when you are shooting hoops when you are on your own. You want to use the backboard that holds the basket as a deflector for the ball. So position yourself near the basket, jump high and at the same time let the basketball slide off your fingertips. If you are in the correct position, it should just touch the backboard approx. six inches about and to the side of the basket. Then the ball should simply ricochet off the backboard into the basket. Be absolutely sure you become equally adept at doing this with both hands. Don’t allow one hand to become weak, or you will end up favoring the other one.
Now switching responsibilities has to be a transition you make smoothly. You have no time to ease into the offense job. It must come naturally to you. If you can’t see a clear shot to the basket then don’t try and be a hero, pass the ball to the best positioned open teammate. Whenever you have the opportunity and your team has possession of the ball, stay near the basket.
You want to enter and exit the free throw lane as much and as a fast as you can, to get yourself in position to receive the ball and make a shop. If you are open, get yourself into the place at the end of floor in anticipation of a layup.
Next stop, you have to get stronger. A strong Center is always an asset of a basketball team. Being the tallest player on your team doesn’t help, unless you have the physical strength and body control that match your basketball skills. Take a look at the most successful Centers in the NBA: Shaquille O’Neal, Amare Stoudemire, Dwight Howard, and Legends such as David Robinson, Walt Chamberlain – all share the same quality: Excellent skills and extraordinary physical prowess.
There are lots of other skills and responsibilities to go along with all of this, but the key is to perfect a little at a time with lots of practice and hard work. This is a must-have of basketball.
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