What is general information about the center in basketball
The center is one of the five common basketball positions that is primarily responsible for rebounding, defensive rim protection, and scoring points, especially near the basket.
The center is also indicated as the number 5 and the common abbreviation for this particular basketball position is denoted as the letter C.
Effective rebounder
The center is typically very effective in terms of gathering offensive rebounds as well as defensive rebounds.
For example, during the implementation of the team’s basketball offense set plays or strategies, the center could potentially gain possession of the ball after a missed shot attempt, which is an offensive rebound.
As a result of the offensive rebounding action, it could lead to second chance points, which are additional scoring opportunities for the center and other teammates as well.
To give another brief example, the center could gain possession of the ball after a missed shot attempt by the opposing team, which would be a defensive rebound.
Following that, the center could execute an outlet pass to a teammate such as the point guard, who could then initiate the team’s transition offense against the opponent’s transition defense.
Alternatively, in certain instances, the center could gather a defensive rebound and start the fast break attack by throwing a long distance pass down the court to a teammate such as the shooting guard, who could then score points via a layup or dunk before the defense is able to protect the basket.
Adept rim protector
The center is usually the most adept rim protector in regards to basketball defense fundamental principles, especially when compared to the other standard basketball positions.
Essentially, the center normally has the capability to block shots near the rim that would be attempted by opposing players. Also, as a side note, the center is commonly one of the team’s leading shot blockers, if not the primary shot blocker, in terms of blocks per game and/or total number of blocked shots.
As a simple example of this concept, let’s say that the center is standing near the basket and at the same time, an offensive player tries to score points by way of a layup.
When that occurs, the center could possibly jump in the air, extend the arm that would block the shot as high as possible, and then swat the shot attempt away from the basket.
As a result, the center prevented the opposing player from scoring points and would also receive a block in the statistical category.
Additionally, it should be stated that if the center tries to block a shot that is above the basket ring and in a downward trajectory, then that block attempt could result in a goaltending violation.
Basically, the center has to allow the ball an opportunity to go into the basket ring once it moves into downward flight.
Conversely, if blocking a shot attempt is not feasible, then the center could also influence opposing players to alter their shots near the rim, which are usually very tough shots to make on a consistent basis.
To give a basic example of an altered shot, let’s say that an offensive player such as a slashing small forward attacks the basket with strong dribble action.
Afterwards, let’s say that same offensive player attempts to score at the rim via a layup or dunk and at the same time, the center attempts to block the layup or dunk.
As a result, the blocking attempt may influence the slasher to modify the type of shot attempt in mid-air, which essentially turns a high quality shot into a possibly lower quality shot, or at least more difficult shot attempt.
Capable scorer
The center is typically capable of scoring points, most notably around the basket via layups, dunks, and/or low post moves.
A great benefit to those types of shots is that they are usually easier to make with a higher field goal percentage as opposed to jump shots near the perimeter areas of the court.
Nevertheless, it is also possible for the center to score points away from the basket, mostly by way of mid-range shots near the high post or the short corner.
However, it should be noted that in the current era of basketball, especially in the NBA, certain highly skilled and/or versatile centers have the ability to score points from three-point range, similar to another type of post player known as a stretch four power forward.
What is the difference between the center and the small forward or power forward
The general difference between the center and the small forward or power forward is that the center is usually taller with a longer wingspan in terms of arm length.
Also, in many instances, the center will typically have a strength and rebounding skill advantage over the small forward but this might not necessarily be the case when compared to the power forward.
In addition to that, the center will typically set screens with more potency than the small forward but this may not be totally true in terms of the power forward.
Furthermore, the center will more than likely have a disadvantage in terms of speed and quickness when compared to the small forward or power forward.
However, the center will almost certainly be a better rim protector than both the small forward and the power forward.
In addition to that, the center usually scores a large portion of points around the rim while the power forward and small forward could score a reasonable amount of points near the perimeter areas of the court or near the basket.
What is the difference between the center and the point guard or shooting guard
The general difference between the center and the point guard or shooting guard is that the center would have significant advantages in terms of height, strength, rebounding, low post defense, and scoring around the basket.
Nonetheless, at the same time, the center would almost surely possess disadvantages in terms of speed, quickness, dribbling, perimeter shooting, and perimeter defense.
How does the center typically score points
Low post moves
The center could potentially score points via low post moves such as the drop step, the up and under, the hook shot, or the post fadeaway.
Spot-up jump shots
It is possible for the center to move towards certain perimeter areas of the court, receive the ball from another teammate, and then take spot up jump shots.
Most of the time, the center will take mid-range jump shots near the high post areas or near the short corners, depending on team personnel and/or offensive style of play.
Transition – Rim Runner
During transition offense, particularly within a primary break, the center could possibly run to the rim, receive the ball, and then score quickly by way of a layup or dunk.
As an example of this, let’s say that during the beginning phase of the transition offense, the power forward gathers a defensive rebound after the opposing team misses a shot attempt.
As that occurs, the center could sprint down the court and run to the rim. Next, the power forward could throw a long distance touchdown pass to the center who could score before the defense is able to fully react.
As an alternative option, especially within the numbered fast break, the power forward could execute a outlet pass to the point guard to initiate the transition offense.
Following that, the point guard could dribble the ball into the frontcourt and immediately pass it to the center, who also ran to the rim. From there, the center could score via a layup or dunk.
Pick and roll
The center could cut towards the perimeter areas of the court to set a pick, generally known as an on-ball screen, for a teammate in possession of the basketball, which would usually be a point guard, shooting guard, or small forward.
Afterwards, the center could roll to the basket, receive the ball from the teammate that utilized the screen, and then score via a layup or dunk.
It should also be noted that pick and roll action is usually one of the most common and/or basic methods that the center could implement to score in the half court.
Alley-oop
The center could initially stand near the basket and as that occurs, a teammate could throw a lob pass towards the rim.
From that point, while the ball is still in the air, the center could jump up, grab it, and dunk it through the basket ring, which is a completion of alley-oop action.
The center could generally receive an alley-oop during pick and roll action or during transition offense.
Furthermore, the center could also receive an alley-oop after dribble penetration occurs in the half court while the center initially stands near the dunker spot, which is an area near the baseline outside of the lane just below the low post block and between the short corner.
Related: Scoring from the “Dunker” Spot – Half Court Offense – YouTube
Tip-in
The center could score points by way of a tip-in. That is, the center could jump in the air as the ball bounces off the rim during a missed shot attempt and then tip it into the basket ring before making contact with the floor.
Putback
The center could score points via a putback, which could be executed in the form of a layup or a dunk after a missed shot attempt during offensive action. The center would also be given a field goal as well as an offensive rebound in the statistical category.
In terms of a putback layup, the center could initially jump in the air, grab an offensive rebound, and then make contact with the floor while keeping the ball above the head.
Following that, the center could immediately jump into the air again before the defense is able to react and score via a putback layup.
In terms of a putback dunk, the center could initially jump in the air, grab the ball mid-flight, and then dunk it through the hoop before making contact with the floor.
Which basketball screens could be set by the center
Back screen
The back screen could be set by the center directly behind a defender and after that, a teammate could use that screen to get open near the basket.
Down screen
The down screen could be set by the center while facing the baseline and following that, a teammate could use the screen to get open near the perimeter areas of the court.
The center could also set down screen variations known as the pin down or the wide pin down near the lane facing the basket or near the corner at an angle respectively.
Drag screen
The drag screen could be set by the center during transition offense, particularly when trailing behind the offensive player in possession of the ball.
Furthermore, after setting the drag screen, the center could roll to the basket, receive the ball, and score via a layup or dunk.
Elevator screen
The elevator screen could be set by the center, usually alongside the power forward, to help another offensive player get open near the top.
Afterwards, the center as well as the additional screener could close the gap to block the defender that is covering the other offensive player who utilized the elevator screen.
Flare screen
The flare screen could be set by the center for an offensive teammate, who would cut away from the basketball to get open near a perimeter area such as the wing or corner.
Flex screen
The flex screen could be set by the center in the space between the low post and the adjacent corner to help a teammate get open near the basket.
Hammer screen
The hammer screen, a main element within the hammer set play, could be set by the center when a teammate in possession of the ball attacks the baseline on the opposite side of the court.
From there, another teammate could utilize the hammer screen to get open near the adjacent corner, receive the ball via a drift pass, and take the open jump shot.
Single-double screen
The single-double screen, also known as floppy action, could be set by the center, alongside additional players such as the small forward and power forward, to help another offensive player get open near the perimeter areas of the court.
Stagger screen
The stagger screen could be set by the center, alongside a second offensive player such as the power forward, to help a third offensive player get open near perimeter areas of the court.