Playing As a Forward

A forward is a mid-range scorer, first and foremost, with some ability to play inside and compete for rebounds and blocks. This is the most versatile class, useful across most of the court. At level 15 you can specialize, becoming either a small or power forward.

A small forward is a mid-range specialist, gaining the ability to do fadeaway jump shots from anywhere on the court and pass in mid-air. A power forward plays inside, with strong rebounding skills and the ability to auto-dunk whenever they are near the basket.

Forward tips

• Your best shots are anywhere outside the key and inside the 3 point line. A forward is a mid-range shooter, and you can score from more places on the court than anyone else.
• You can score, but your first option should always be to pass to the open man. Freestyle is a team game! Teams that assist each other and pass at the right time will always beat teams that don't.
• You are not a guard! Don't try to shoot the three.
• You are not a center either, but you can play in the post. Teams will often need you to rebound, block, and score on the inside. (Just don’t be surprised when centers knock you on your ass!)
• Use W (post-up) while on offense to back your opponent down, then use a spin move (release W and press a directional key) to create enough space for a mid-range jump shot or layup.
• Use A (fast dribble) while on offense to get around your defender. When coupled with a quick jumper, this is deadly – since Forwards can score from so many places, they are very hard to defend!
• Always play defense with an eye toward the inside. Even when you are defending a guard on the perimeter, be ready to move inside the key and grab rebounds.
• Stay in front of the basket when rebounding. Don’t jump for the ball until it starts flashing – this indicates that the ball is loose and up for grabs.
• Rebounding and (especially!) blocking are very hard, but they also depend on your character’s skill levels, so don’t be discouraged if you have trouble at first. It’s harder for you than for a center, but it will get easier with practice and levels.

Playing As a Center

A center can definitely be a high-scoring player, but his or her primary role is as a defender. You'll play on or near the paint, preventing the other team from making any easy baskets by getting right up in their faces and staying between them and the net.

Unlike forwards or guards, a center doesn't upgrade to a different position after 15 levels. You'll get new skills, but your role will always remain the same: getting up into people's faces, smacking down their shots, and snatching every rebound like ice-cream from a baby.

Center Tips:

• Stay in or near the paint, in offense or defense!
• Make liberal use of the "W" key on defense to box-out opponents. Always stay between a shooter and the basket.
• Blocks and rebounds are your bread and butter. Practice!
• To block a shot, get right up against the shooter and hit "D" just as the person goes to shoot. A good block will totally turn around the game.
• Rebounds are even better. If someone misses a shot, hit the "D" key to grab the rebound and the ball is yours.
• To snag a rebound, follow the shadow of the ball. It's usually rocketing away from the basket toward center court -- hit "D" when you're right under it and it's in the air. This takes lots of practice but it's essential for a good center.
• Once you've got the rebound, don't try to clear it yourself. Centers are slow. Pass the ball immediately to an open teammate -- against less experienced teams you might be able to pass it to an open guard for an immediate three-pointer!
• Centers may not be the best at scoring, but they're pretty hard to stop if you've got the ball in the crease. Give yourself every advantage: Use the "A" key to zip around people, or tap the "D" key quickly to fake a shot (luring defenders into blocking early). Always try to shoot when you've got a clear basket.

Playing As a Guard

Guards are the fastest players on the court. They're the snipers of freestyle -- the only players who can reliably score 3-pointers. On defense, the guards are masters of the steal. Their quick speed and high steal percentage makes them dangerous opponents just about anywhere on the court.

Like forwards, guards can specialize their position after level 15. You can be a point guard, focused on stealing and passing the ball to the open man, or a shooting guard, the most devastating shooter in the game. Because of their speed, scoring, and versatility, guards are popular positions online. That and the fact that they can throw the Alley-Oop.

Guard Tips:

• You're the fastest character on the court. Don't go for a shot if you're under coverage -- you can outrun and outmaneuver most forwards and nearly every center.
• Think ahead. If one of your teammates gets the rebound, make a beeline for an open spot outside the arch. They can pass the ball to you and you can be jumping for an easy three before your opponent knows what happened.
• At high levels, the guard's ability to steal the ball is unmatched. Use it! If other players don't fear you, you're doing something wrong.
• Rebounds aren't your strength, but now and then you'll get the opportunity if you're inside the arch. So take it! If someone shoots, use your speed to get in position and take a stab at it. If you're playing against less experienced centers or forwards, you can beat them at their own game by being in the right position.
• After you level up a few times, it's possible to steal passes if they swing by you. Hit 'S' if someone passes a ball right in front of you. But don't chase passes around! Given the choice, you should be standing between the ball handler and the net, ready to block or hitting 'A' to distract the shooter.
• On offense, there's no reason for you to try to rush in close to the hoop. You can score from close range, but it's not your specialty -- and you'll usually hit heavy coverage. Stick to mid-range two-pointers or go for the three.
• Shoot when you're open! Just because you CAN hit the three doesn't mean you should always try for it. If you've got an easy open shot inside the arch, put the points on the board.
• Guards can buy a skill called the "Suicide Dive." Get it early and practice it often! A loose ball should be YOUR ball, every time.
• Always pass to the open man. This is a no-brainer, and true for all positions, but as a point guard it's pretty much your whole job. From our experience, it seems like guards pass the ball faster than other players. You should rack up tons of assists.
• Stay in the game! New guards will sometimes lurk way outside the three-point line, running around waiting for a long pass so they can take some crazy three-point shot. You're not helping your team way out there. Stay close enough to the action to rush after loose balls or cover someone if a defender is knocked down. Be in the team!

NEXT PAGE: Guide to Freestyle Team Strategies...