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Hi Everyone I've been playing defence for a long time now, and only last Saturday did I start to play centre. It was during our warm up on that day, (before our game) when my coach told me that I would be playing centre. I agreed to do it, but the problem was that the other team was a really good and very fit team. I struggled a lot durig the game, and i felt like i was dying the whole time! Also because I had never played centre before I didn't know how to feed the ball into the goal circle. I also don't know how to defend on the goal circle. Also what is the centres main job?Thanks so much for all the help!
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Ekeesha RathnayakePlayer, Australia
TOP ANSWER
Eleanor DurrPlayer, England
Hi Ekeesha,
It is understandable your felt fatigued moving from defence to centre as the fitness demands do increase, however you can work towards getting your fitness up to speed. The main role of the centre is to connect the defence and attack, this involves maintaining a steady midcourt and controlling the speed of the game. If the game is too fast the centre will be able to judge this and slow the game down by holding onto the ball for an extra second before releasing.
In defence try to keep the opposing centre wide and if possible high up the court, preventing her getting depth. This can be challenging due to C`s often running up and down the court, but particularly focus on keeping her wide towards the sideline, this will help keep her away from the ball and limit her impact.
When feeding into the circle, try to land circle edge - this will not only take the pressure off, as the defence cannot do a 2nd stage mark but also will increase the accuracy of your feeding. If the shooters are not free do not force the ball in, simple swing the ball around the circle edge to your WA or look back to your WD to reset.
I am sure you will do a fantastic job, just have confidence and try focus on linking both the defence and attack - this will involve helping the defence bring the ball through court from a backline but also being available in attack to help get the ball to the shooters.
Hope this helps.
ANSWERS
Eleanor DurrPlayer, England
Hi Ekeesha,
It is understandable your felt fatigued moving from defence to centre as the fitness demands do increase, however you can work towards getting your fitness up to speed. The main role of the centre is to connect the defence and attack, this involves maintaining a steady midcourt and controlling the speed of the game. If the game is too fast the centre will be able to judge this and slow the game down by holding onto the ball for an extra second before releasing.
In defence try to keep the opposing centre wide and if possible high up the court, preventing her getting depth. This can be challenging due to C`s often running up and down the court, but particularly focus on keeping her wide towards the sideline, this will help keep her away from the ball and limit her impact.
When feeding into the circle, try to land circle edge - this will not only take the pressure off, as the defence cannot do a 2nd stage mark but also will increase the accuracy of your feeding. If the shooters are not free do not force the ball in, simple swing the ball around the circle edge to your WA or look back to your WD to reset.
I am sure you will do a fantastic job, just have confidence and try focus on linking both the defence and attack - this will involve helping the defence bring the ball through court from a backline but also being available in attack to help get the ball to the shooters.
Hope this helps.
