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INSTRUCTIONS TO BASKETBALL PLAYERSTho hard work of the center ona basketball team Is discussed fn the accompanying article, which Is tho third In the series, written by James Nalsmlth,. originator ofthe game.By JAMES NAISMITH.When I evolved the game of basket ball many years ago, Uireo men played the center position, but committees of which I have been a member, since that time, have scon fit lo lessen the congestion of the play-tng area and as a consequence the center of to-day does tho work of all tho men eliminated. Originally thero were nine men upon teams—three centers, threo forwards and threo guards. Then ono forward and one Sttarri wore taken from tho line-up and finally the teams reduced to quintets by having but a single center.Of course oven In those days when nine men composed basket ball teams the center jumped for the ball In the middle of the floor, the other men playing at his side being known as centor-fcr-wards- Hecauso of tho elimination of these positions, the role of center today in tho hard eat to inccsflflfully fillhaving been passed diagonally acros« tho floor. The Instant the centerknocks the batl to forward So. 1, forward No, 2 vacates his position and takes that which, until n moment before, was occupied by No, 1. That defends tho goal la case of a carom from the basket or board back of Itto the left-hand side. The center holds his position to the right of tho goal, after uttempUag to score, whileforward No. 1 takes a place directly In front of tho goal, thus covering all points toward which the sphere may bounce after a possible failure In the center effort to lodge the leather within the net.It win be noticed thAt In these plans for defense after the try for the goat has been made the player who passes the ball to the basket-throwor from the farthest point away from the net, takes up the position nearest him to 'save loss of time- Am a conse-queues in this diagram the forward who throws tho ball to the center, In the defense plan takes up a position directly In front of tho goal. I have evolved these formations to that man* »er In order that there may ha no nn-—in fact far more difficult than that of forward or guard. For the center, besides doing his part In starting plays when the ball Is tossed up in tho middle of the floor, must be both an efficient guard as well ae possesa-baeket-sfaootlng qualificationsa forward,,In match games the forward a* positions arc under the basket or ta the vicinity, the guards’ place Is at his opponents’ goal, but the center must be everywhere. Besides guarding his Individual opponent be must aid lapreventing others of the opposingteam from scoring and when the ball Is In the territory of Ms own team, be must be around the goal ready to try for baskets aa opportunity demands.Thus In these plays which I am presenting here. It will be seen that these are tho first formations In which the center Is tho objective point. These ore known as ’'forward to center In the opposite forward’s position. If you have several candidates far center position on your team and would ascertain which is fastest, try them out Individually at this combination. It is tho best test I know for speed, because of tho fact that the canter after jumping the sphere to his forward must ba exceptionally fast to get around his man and be In the opposite forward's place at the same Instant that forward No. 1 (aa in the diagram to the left) shoot* the ball in hts direction, .In the first play denoted by the diagram* the-center slaps tbs ball to forward No. 1 at,bin left-hand side. Then the center spurts for tho position of forward No. 2, where he arrive* at tho aamo instant the batl doe* **d attempts a goal, the spherenecessary waste ef effort or precious time In reaching positions of vantage after the prescribed formation has been carried out.One plan which I have injected In* to the arrangement of these plays Is tbe ever-present feature of being able to carry the formation a pass or two farther, If necessary. Supposing the center Is blocked In the effort to scot# by an opposing guard or tots own In* dividual opponent. It is an easy mat* tor to sboot the sphere to forward No. 2, on the opposite side of the goal* orto forward No- 1, who Is running down the floor to take fals position dl* rectly in front of the basket. If for* ward No. 3 Is blocked after catching the spheiw he may shoot the ball to forward No. 1 on the run, thus work* the plan of defense to advantage as an offensive tactic. Constant practice at these formations, their defen* slvs sides, etc., may be relied upon to put a team In great shape for the opening of the basket ball year.In these two plays where the center figures most prominently there la no better test of strength, endurance and speed brought forth. There are many qualification# neoeasary in developing a center* In the first place* he should be tall mid able to jump high Into the air. Second, he should have exceptionally fine wind,” and third, an accurate «y« for baskets He should be able to guard his own opposing center in the lattor’a terrf tory with, the determination of a sticking” guard and to IoaeH his otv poncnt while the bail Is In his own team’s territory.For that reason the versatile athlete Is the one to develop Into a basket ball center*
Newspaper Details
The Evening Gazette
Cedar Rapids, Iowa, US
Sat, Jan 22, 1910
Page 1
Full Page
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Anonymous
WV, USA 02 May 2020
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