Center Coverage: Mastering Diagonal Drives & Official Trust
This training segment reinforces the fundamental principles of Primary Area of Coverage (PAC), specifically focusing on drives originating from the slot or diagonal. While the Lead official typically handles middle drives, this play serves as a textbook example of the Center official taking full ownership of a play starting in their secondary coverage area and moving toward the rim. By maintaining a clear "path look," the Center accurately identifies a blocking foul. Furthermore, the clip highlights the importance of crew chemistry: notice how the Lead official closes down to provide support while resisting the urge to reach across the lane, demonstrating the high-level trust necessary for single-whistle accuracy.
Play BreakDown
Our basic fundamentals are the corner stones to our success, which includes our primary area of coverage. Middle drive to the basket, lead gets first crack. Slot corner/diagonal drive center goes first. On this play, we have a center side drive with a primary defender. This is a great example of the center taking this all the way to the basket and having one whistle on the play. Outstanding job by the Lead official closing down and trusting the Center. The Center has a great look at the path play and correctly determines the blocking foul.
