Basketball positions

The three basketball positions normally employed by organized basketball teams are guard, post, and center. More specifically, they can be classified into the five positions: point guard, shooting guard, small forward, power forward, and center. The rules of basketball do not mandate them, and in informal games they are sometimes not used. They are grouped into two conceptual units: the offensive and defensive.

Basketball positions

Backcourt (guards)

Point guard

Main article: Point guard

The point guard, also known as the "1", is typically the team's best ball handler and passer. The point guard is a position equivalent to that of a playmaking midfielder in soccer, a quarterback in American football, or a center in ice hockey, where they are often responsible for directing plays and passing the ball. This lends the player a role similar to a captain, as good point guards increase team efficiency and generally have a high number of assists. Some of the prototypical point guards in the NBA's recent years include Jason Kidd for the Dallas Mavericks and Steve Nash for the Phoenix Suns. Other examples include Chauncey Billups, Russell Westbrook, Rajon Rondo, Chris Paul, Stephen Curry, Deron Williams, and Derrick Rose. Examples of players earlier in the league's history are Magic Johnson, Bob Cousy, and John Stockton. The point guard is typically the smallest player on his/her squad. At the NBA level, most point guards are 6 feet (1.83 m) to 6 feet 4 inches (1.93 m).

Notable exceptions include Earvin "Magic" Johnson of the Lakers, who was the NBA's tallest point guard ever to play the position, at 6 feet 9 inches (2.06 m). In comparison, the shortest players include Muggsy Bogues at 5 feet 3 inches (1.60 m) and Earl Boykins at 5 feet 5 inches (1.65 m).

Shooting guard

Main article: Shooting guard

The shooting guard, also known as the "2", is usually the team's best shooter, and typically is able to consistently hit long range shots (of 20 feet or more). Besides being able to shoot the ball, shooting guards tend to have good ball-handling skills and the ability to drive the ball to the net, often creating their own shots off the dribble. A versatile shooting guard will have good passing skills, allowing them to assume point guard responsibilities. Typical NBA shooting guards are 6 feet 3 inches (1.91 m) to 6 feet 7 inches (2.01 m). However, there are exceptions. For instance, Allen Iverson who plays shooting guard, is only 6 feet (1.83 m) tall and therefore is often required to play point guard.

Kobe Bryant, Dwyane Wade, Manu Ginobili, Monta Ellis, and Andre Iguodala are current examples of typical shooting guards in the NBA. Other notable examples include Michael Jordan, Reggie Miller, Richard Hamilton, Ray Allen, Vince Carter, and Jerry West. Shooting guards are typically versatile enough to play small forward and vice versa, in a role called swingman or wing. This is due to the relatively similar playing styles and characteristics, with the only difference being relative size, as small forwards tend to be a little bigger.

Frontcourt (forwards and center)

Small forward

Main article: Small forward

The small forward, also known as the "3", is typically somewhat shorter, quicker and leaner than power forwards and centers. Thus, in the NBA, small forwards range from 6 feet 6 inches (1.96 m) to 6 feet 9 inches (2.11 m). The small forward position is considered to be perhaps the most versatile of the main five basketball positions, due to the nature of its role, which is sometimes similar to that of a power forward, and other times more resembles the role of a shooting guard. The small forward and shooting guard positions are often interchangeable.

Small forwards have a variety of weapons, such as quickness and strength inside. One common thread between all kinds of small forwards is an ability to "get to the line" and draw fouls by aggressively attempting post-up plays, lay-ups, or slam dunks. As such, accurate foul shooting is a common skill for small forwards, many of whom record a large portion of their points from the foul line. Small forwards should be able to do a little bit of everything on the court, typically playing roles such as swingmen but also as point forwards and defensive specialists. Examples include LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, Paul Pierce, Hedo Türkoğlu, and Kevin Durant. Larry Bird and Scottie Pippen are examples of earlier players in the league's history for this position.

Power forward

Main article: Power forward (basketball)

Also known as the "4" position and abbreviated as "PF", the power forward plays a role similar to that of the center, down in the "post" or "low blocks". On offense, they can "post up", (playing with their backs to the basket), or set up for mid-range jump shots. On defense, they play under the basket in a zone defense or against the opposing power forward in man-to-man defense. Typical NBA power forwards are 6 feet 8 inches (2.03 m) to 7 feet 0 inches (2.13 m) tall, though some power forwards, like the 6 feet 6 inches (1.98 m) Charles Barkley, have compensated for a lack of height with exceptional bulk, strength, and longer arms. The most renowned power forwards of all time include Bob Pettit, Tim Duncan, Karl Malone, Dennis Rodman, Dirk Nowitzki and Kevin Garnett. Popular All-Star power forwards today include Garnett, Duncan, Amar'e Stoudemire, Pau Gasol, and Chris Bosh. Power forwards with a three-point/long range shooting game are fairly rare, playing what is referred to as the European style of basketball. Dirk Nowitzki, Peja Stojakovic, Kevin Love, and Rashard Lewis specialize in this area.

Center

Main article: Center (basketball)

The center, also referred to as the "5" or the "pivot", usually plays near the baseline, close to the basket (referred to as the "bottom of the key" or the "low post"). The tallest player is most likely to be assigned to the position of center, with typical NBA centers being about 7 feet (2.13 m) in height, though Chuck Hayes fills this role at 6 feet 6 inches (1.98 m), and NBA Hall of Famer Wes Unseld filled this role while being 6 feet 7 inches (2.01 m). Few are much taller, like 7 feet 6 inches (2.29 m) Yao Ming. The center usually scores "down low, in the paint" (near the basket, in the key), but some, such as Mehmet Okur and Žydrūnas Ilgauskas can be good perimeter shooters, which can draw a good rebounding and skill to score close to the basket, as well as gathering rebounds, contesting shots and setting screens on plays.

While the center position remains a pivotal position, the scope of the position has transitioned from classic 'back to the basket' players such as Shaquille O'Neal and Yao Ming to power forwards that can dominate the position due to their athletic prowess, defensive skills, or mismatch ability to shoot from the high post, such as Dwight Howard and Amar'e Stoudemire. This has been matched by the development of fast-paced 'Run and Gun' offenses of coaches such as Mike D'Antoni, calling for less traditional center play, and a more up and down the court style.

Dwight Howard, Brook Lopez, Marc Gasol, JaVale McGee, Andrew Bynum, and Joakim Noah are examples of current centers in the NBA, while Wilt Chamberlain, Bill Russell, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Shaquille O'Neal, Yao Ming, Patrick Ewing, and Hakeem Olajuwon are considered among the all-time greats at the position.

See also

• Starting lineup

External links

• "Shooting Guard Tips" from HoopsU.com
• "Point Guard Tips" from HoopsU.com
• "How to Play Basketball Offense – Description of Team Positions" at guidetocoachingbasketball.com
• "Basketball players" at BBC Sport Academy
• "How Basketball Works" at howstuffworks.com
• Basketball Positions Explained at Youth-Basketball-Tips.com
• Basketball Shooting Skills And Shot Position