The Role of a Center

The center is a very important position in FreeStyle Street Basketball. Using your size and strength advantage, Centers dominate and control the game from under the basket. The Center's role is simple: Hold your position under the hoop, rebound missed shots, pass to open team members, and crush your opponents with 'in your face' dunks and monster blocks. Although the Center is slow, they make up for it with power.

Initial Character Creation

When creating a Center, keep in mind that this position does not promote at level 16. As with other positions, your skills will change as you adjust your height. People new to the position should consider strong numbers in rebounding and blocking. Also keep in mind that you will need Power to maintain your position under the basket.

Specialized Attributes

Unlike Guards and Forwards, Centers do not promote to a specialty class at level 16. Because of the Centers size and strength, there is no need. Your starting attributes will progress throughout the game. At higher levels your 'under the hoop' skills, as well as bank shots and dunks, will become a force to be reckoned with.

Basic Center Gameplay

Stay in the Paint! You are slow, but you are powerful, strong and tall. Do not run around the court trying to catch Guards and Forwards. Stay under the basket as much as possible and keep yourself between your opponents and the basket. Rebound and block. If you have to move out a little to block a mid ranged shot, do so, and then get back to the basket. When on offense, pass the ball out to an open man if you are covered. You are the king of the paint. Fight for it. Own it. Don't let anyone take it from you.

Offensive Gameplay

1) Position - Move to under the basket as soon as you can. Stay there as much as possible. Fight for it. You will need to move a bit here and there, but for the most part, this is where you will be the entire game. This is where you need to be the most effective. Also, at the start of a point you may want to set up a screen for your guard to try a quick 3-point shot. Face away from the basket, and hit the 'W' key while standing on the 3-point line. Your guard will do the rest.

2) Shoot - Be patient. Your defense is generally a better offense for you than scoring. Wait for the opportunity to take a shot. Let the player trying to guard you make a mistake and then take the advantage. Fake them out. Double clutch and then shoot. Pass!!! If you are not open, get rid of the ball to another teammate. Use your Dunks. You own the paint. Show them why. Just remember, wait for your opportunity, and if you are well covered, pass the ball away. When shooting, also remember to face the basket. (The exception is the hook shot skill).

3) Pass - As mentioned above, the 'S' key is one of your best friends. If you are not covered, by all means, take the Jam. But more often than not, you will be covered. When passing, be careful of an intercept. Try and pass when there are no opponents between you and the person you are passing to.

4) Dribble - Don't. Nothing causes a turnover faster than Centers who think they can dribble. You're slow and have no dribbling skill to speak of. Don't do it. However, in certain situations, you may be one-on-one with a single opponent and wish to drive to the hoop. This is a good time to use your 'back down dribble'. Then use your quickstep to get around him as he tries to face-up and go for the Jam.

5) Offensive Rebound - Rebounds win games. A guard can shoot 3-pointers all day long, but if you are not there to rebound the ones he misses, the game is lost. Rebounding takes practice and timing. Each player has their own learning curve to this so don't get frustrated. Rebounding also takes patience to learn. Stick with it. This skill can turn a game around faster than anything.

Defensive Gameplay

1) Position - Stay in the paint! As with offensive positioning, you will spend most of your time under the basket fighting for position, blocking shots, and rebounding.

2) Steal - If you want to steal, roll a guard. Stealing a ball from an opponent is not in your job description. While you try, the opponent will just use the opportunity for an easy score. Rebounding and Blocking is your bread and butter. Let your teammates do their job. You stick with yours.

3) Block - There is nothing better than waiting for a Forward to come in for the Jam and then sending him flying back as you smack the ball away. Blocking is one of the more satisfying experiences you can have as a Center. As with rebounding, timing and practice are required. You'll get the hang of it. Be sure to be facing your opponent when blocking. Also, watch out for the double clutch. You may fall for it once, but an opponent will generally use it all the time. Be patient after he double clutches and goes for the shot, stomp on him.

4) Defensive Rebound - As with the offensive rebound, using this ability can devastate the opposing team. Again, this will require practice and timing but the time spent will be worth it.

The Center's Preferred Skills

Think about your Center's strong points and mirror your training to match. You don't need to pick up 3-point shooting or stealing. Combine your basic skill sets, such as rebound, block, and dunk to strengthen your Center's skills.

Recommended Training:

	Rebound: Grabbing the missed shot off the goal!
	Block: In your face defense.
	Dunk: In your face scoring.

Recommended Skills:

	Through Pass: Through Pass skill allows you to successfully pass the ball to a running teammate.
	Box Out: Box out the opposing player and get the primo position for the rebound.
	Hook Shot: A high arcing shot. You can use it when you are close to the rim.
	Tip-in Shot Allows a Center to tap the ball into the rim from a rebound.