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iditleid11ieo11.August Herrmann.INSTRUCTIONS TO BASKETBALL PLAYERSa-c-nieais0r-ol-I8eeaer-bs00l-IThe hard work of the center on a. basketball team is discussed in the accompanying article, which is the' third in the series, written by James Naismith, originator of the game.By JAMES NAI8MITH.Wfcen i evolved the game of basket ball many years ago, three men played the center position, but committees of which I have been a member, since that time, have seen fit to lessen the congestion of the playing area and as a consequence the center of to-day does the work of all the men eliminated. Originally there were nine men upon teams—three centers, three forwards and three guards. Then one forward and one guard were taken from the line-up and finally the teams reduced to quintets by having but a single center.Of course even 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 center-for-wards. Because of the elimination of these positions, the role of center today is the hardest to successfully fillhaving been passed diagonally across the floor. The instant the center knocks the ball to forward No. 1, for* ward No. 2 vacates his position, and takes that which, until a moment before, was occupied by No. .1. That defends the goal in case of a carom from the basket or board back of itto the left-hand side. The ? centerholds his position to the right of the goal, after attempting to score, while forward No. 1 takes a place directly in front of the 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 netIt will be noticed that in these plans for defense after the try for the goal has been made the player who passes the ball to the basket-thrower from the farthest point away from the net, takes up the position nearest him to save loss of time. As a consequence in this diagram the forward who throws the ball to the center, in the defense plan takes up a position directly in front of the goal. I have evolved these formations in that manner in order that there may be no un-Movement of B*u~Movement or TPuqpLn. wo kscatya Koi.. Movement Of* To Gevww.Avtew Bau in ~Pm Wi3.—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 the middle of the floor, must be both an efficient guard as well as possessing the basket-shooting qualifications of a forward.In match games the forwards’ positions are under the basket or in the vicinity, the guards' place is at his opponents' goal, but the center must be everywhere. Besides guarding his Individual opponent he must aid in preventing others of the opposing team from scoring and when the ball is in the territory of his own team, he must be around the goal ready to try for baskets as opportunity demands.Thus in these plays which I am presenting here, it will be seen that these are the first formations in which the center is the objective point. These are known as “forward to center in the opposite forward’s position. If you have several candidates for center position on your team and would ascertain which is fastest, try themout individually at this combination. It is the best test I know for speed, because of the fact that the center after jumping the sphere to his forward must be exceptionally fast to get around his man and be in the opposite forward's place at the same Instant that forward No. 1 (as in the diagram to the left) shoots the ball in his direction.In the first play denoted by the diagram, the center slaps the ball to forward No. 1 at his left-hand side. Then the center spurts for the position of forward No. 2, where he ar-rives at the same instant the balldoas and attempts a goal, the spherenecessary waste of effort or precious time in reaching positions of vantage after the prescribed formation has been carried outOne plan which I have Injected into the arrangement of these plays is the 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 score by an opposing guard or his own individual opponent It is an easy matter to shoot the sphere to forward No. 2, on the opposite side of the goal, or to forward No. 1, who is running down the floor to take his position directly in front of the basket If for-ward No. 2 is blocked after catching the sphere 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 defensive 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 is no better test of strength, endurance and speed brought forth. There are many qualifications necessary in developing a center. In the first place, he should be tall and able to jump-high into the air. Second, he should have exceptionally fine wind,” and third, an accurate eye for baskets. He should be able to guard his own opposing center in the latter’s territory with the determination of a sticking” guard and to lose his opponent while the ball is in his ownteam’s territory.For that reason the versatile athlete is the one to develop into a banket ball cent»
Newspaper Details
Bismarck Daily Tribune
Bismarck, North Dakota, US
Sun, Jan 23, 1910
Page 5
Full Page
Clipped by
Anonymous
WV, USA 28 Apr 2020
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