Basketball position
| Basketball Positions | |
| Point guard | |
| Shooting guard | |
| Small forward | |
| Power forward | |
| Center | |
| Additional Positions | |
| Swingman | |
| Point forward | |
The five tactical basketball positions normally employed by organized basketball teams are: center, power forward, small forward, point guard and shooting guard. 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 frontcourt and backcourt.
Contents |
[edit] Frontcourt positions
[edit] Center
Often called the "five", the center usually plays at the bottom of the key, also called the post. The center is not usually the best shooter on the team but most times is the strongest player on the team and is able to maneuver down low in the paint to do most of their scoring. The center is used a lot of times for pick and role plays which involve himself and the point guard. In men's professional and collegiate basketball, the height for a center is from about 6'10" and up.
Notable NBA centers include Shaquille O'Neal, Ben Wallace, Yao Ming, Amare Stoudemire, and Marcus Camby.
[edit] Power forward
The power forward, also referred to as the "four", usually plays on the opposite side of the key from the center, and is frequently able to double as a center. Power forwards are a little more mobile than centers, which helps them set many plays up on the court. Most power forwards are able to shoot a mid range shots, ranging no more than ten to 15 feet away from the basket. Power forwards usually range from about 6'7" or taller in the men's game.
Notable NBA power forwards include Kevin Garnett, Jermaine O'Neal, Elton Brand, Shawn Marion, and Tim Duncan.
[edit] Small forward
The small forward, or the "three", is the most versatile of the five starters, simply because they can do it all: handle the ball, play in the post, and score whenever needed. They are not as physical as power forwards and centers. Rather, they generally take more outside shots but can move inside when they need to. Small forwards in top-level men's basketball average from about 6'5" to 6'11" tall. Small forwards can substitute for any player on the court other than the point guard, because they usually cannot control the ball as well as the point guard.
Notable NBA small forwards include Tracy McGrady, Andrei Kirilenko, LeBron James, Ron Artest, and Peja Stojakovic.
[edit] Backcourt positions
[edit] Point guard
The point guard, or the "one", is the team's floor general and the best ballhandler on the team. They are given the task of controlling the game's speed and possession of the ball at all times. A good point guard looks to get the rest of the team involved before they think about shooting. However, they are always ready to create shots and score points if necessary. Point guards run the team and are usually one of the shorter players on the court. The average point guard typically sizes up at under 6'5" in professional and collegiate men's basketball.
Notable NBA point guards include Mike Bibby, Carlos Arroyo, Stephon Marbury, Chris Paul, Steve Nash, Sebastian Telfair, Chauncey Billups, and Gilbert Arenas.
[edit] Shooting guard
The shooting guard (also called the "two"), as its name suggests, is usually the team's best shooter. A quality shooting guard should be able to consistently hit 20-foot jump shots. Besides being able to shoot the ball, shooting guards must also be able to have good ball-handling skills because they have to be able to create their own shot off the dribble. Finally, they should also be able to come off of any pick and roll and still make a shot without the ball touching the ground. This is the complete shooting guard. The average height of a shooting guard ranges from about 6'2" to 6'8" in men's professional and collegiate basketball.
Notable NBA shooting guards include Allen Iverson, Dwyane Wade, Ray Allen, Paul Pierce, and Kobe Bryant.
