Can the center let go of the defender to play a ball in the air?

Yes. Under Rules 6-10-1 and 6-10-2 (new language for 2026-28), a center facing or locked up with a defender may let go and attempt to play the ball while it is in the air, provided there is no push-off and no sinking of the defender.

This aligns the rules book with how the game is already officiated.