How To Train A Basketball Center

Knowing how to train a basketball center for your team is very instrumental in creating a cohesive unit that can go out and win games. The center of your team is the defensive anchor, the last line of defense against the advancing opposition. Historically speaking, your center is the main scorer in the post position on the floor. It's very difficult to have a successful team if your center is lacking certain skill sets, unless of course you've got Scottie Pippen and Michael Jordan waiting to lace up their kicks. Dedication to training your centers offensive and defensive fundamentals is the only way to see any improvement.

1. Defense wins championships. Training your center on the defensive end is far more important than developing her offensive abilities. You've got four other guys on the floor with her that can score points, but she is your rock on the defensive end. Train a basketball center how to read offensive schemes and be the supportive player you need herto be on the defensive side of the floor. In zone defenses, your center always plays one of the closest positions to the basket. So she will be the one with the last chance of stopping a play. If one of your other players gets beat to the basket, you need to train your center to back up her beaten teammate, making it harder for the offensive threat to advance.
2. Quick Feet. Work on your big man's foot speed. This will help his recovery time on help defense, making it harder for the offensive threat to make it to the lane. He will become a better support defender the faster they can recover.
3. Defensive Court Awareness is important to halting the advancing offensive players and stopping offensive plays all together. Train a basketball center how to tell how the opposing team is moving, its passing game, and its scoring options. This will help your big man to anticipate plays and how best to stop them.
4. Rebounding. Once a play is stopped, specifically because of a missed shot, you want to eliminate extra chances for the opposing team to score. Because your center is one of the biggest players you have on the defensive end, rebounding is a key skill for her to have. Train a basketball center in the proper techniques to keep the offensive players from getting to the ball, as well as being able to anticipate where the ball comes off the rim so she can secure the ball.
5. They don't always have to block the shot. Blocked shots are cool to see, but a player that always goes for the block is a defensive liability. A quick up fake will put your center out of position or have him committing unnecessary fouls. Make sure you instill some defensive discipline. It's more important to keep the other team from scoring, and that comes from putting your hands up, moving on defense and disrupting shots...not blocking them.
6. Offense wins games. You want your center to be an offensive threat. So, train a basketball center to translate her new improved footwork to the offensive end of the floor. Have your center develop quick post moves to get to the basket. You should also develop your center's short- to mid-range jump shots so she can face up her opponent. Don't restrict your her to playing with her back to the basket.
7. Offensive rebounding. Your team isn't going to hit every shot. The more offensive opportunities you get, the better chance you have of scoring. Tell your big man to crash the boards on offense.
8. Setting screens, ball handling, and passing well. There's not enough emphasis on developing these three skills with big men. A big man setting solid screens opens up other players to make plays on the offensive end. If you train a basketball center to pass well out of the post adds a new dimension to your offensive potency because your center can set up other guys to score which puts more pressure on the defense. Ball handling will make it easier for your center to score. Develop these skills.