To be a top shotblocker in basketball, a player needs to have excellent timing, quickness and of course, height. Kidzworld looks at the role of the shotblocker in the NBA.

NBA Shotblockers - Defensive Force

A good shotblocker can be a huge psyhcological advantage to a team. A big blocked shot can fire up a team like a big sack does in football or a big body check does in hockey. When a player comes up with a huge rejection, it can pick the rest of the team up and intimidate offensive players from going hard to the hoop. For example, when a 300 pound player like Shaq or Ben Wallace is standing in the middle of the key, a player is going to think twice about driving through the lane to the hoop. A good shotblocker may cause shooters to change their shots or concentrate on the shotblocker, not on their shots.

NBA Shotblockers - Keys To Success

A good shotblocker in basketball needs to have several important skills and qualities:

Timing - A player must be able to judge when the shooter will release the ball and then block it at the right time. If a player swats a shot away after the ball is on the way down, it's called goaltending and the basket counts.

Quickness - A player needs to be able to rotate quickly to get in front of the shooter.

Height - Size matters in the NBA, especially for shotblockers. Most of the NBA's best blockers are close to seven feet or taller.

Jumping Ability - Leaping ability can help a player get to a shot sooner and force a player to hurry their shot.

Keep The Ball In Play - A shotblocker needs to be able to direct the shot to another defensive teammate or to get possession of the ball themselves. Knocking a shot away to another offensive player isn't much help.

NBA Shotblockers - Best In The NBA

Shaquille O'Neal - Not only is Shaq a dominating force offensively, his size and athletic ability make him a force on defence.

Ben Wallace - Big Ben has size, great quickness and his massive 'fro makes him even more intimidating to opposing shooters.

Tim Duncan - He's probably the most athletic "big man" in the NBA. Tim Duncan's timing is awesome and his jumping ability is amazing for someone who's nearly seven feet tall.

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