Player Positions

Although the rules do not specify any positions whatsoever, they have evolved as part of basketball. During the first five decades of basketball’s evolution, two guards, two forwards, and one center were used. Since the 1980s, more specific positions have evolved, namely:

1. Point Guard organizes the team’s offense by controlling the ball and making sure that it gets to the right player at the right time
2. Shooting Guard creates a high volume of shots on offense; guards the opponent’s best perimeter player on defense
3. Small Forward often primarily responsible for scoring points via cuts to the basket and dribble penetration; on defense seeks rebounds and steals, but sometimes plays more actively
4. Power Forward plays offensively often with his back to the basket; on defense, plays under the basket (in a zone defense) or against the opposing power forward (in man-to-man defense)
5. Center uses size, either to score (on offense) or to protect the basket closely (on defense)

The above descriptions are flexible. On some occasions, teams will choose to use a three guard offense, replacing one of the forwards or the center with a third guard. The most commonly interchanged positions are point guard and shooting guard, especially if both players have good leadership and ball handling skills.

There are two main defensive strategies: zone defense and man-to-man defense. Zone defense involves players in defensive positions guarding whichever opponent is in their zone. In man-to-man defense, each defensive player guards a specific opponent and tries to prevent him from taking action. Variations of these two main structures are also used.

Offensive plays are more varied, normally involving planned passes and movement by players without the ball. A quick movement by an offensive player without the ball to gain an advantageous position is a cut. A legal attempt by an offensive player to stop an opponent from guarding a teammate, by standing in the defender’s way such that the teammate cuts next to him, is a screen or pick. The two plays are combined in the pick and roll, in which a player sets a pick and then “rolls” away from the pick towards the basket. Screens and cuts are very important in offensive plays; these allow the quick passes and teamwork which can lead to a successful basket. Teams almost always have several offensive plays planned to ensure their movement is not predictable. On court, the point guard is usually responsible for indicating which play will occur.

Defensive and offensive structures, and positions, are more emphasized in higher levels in basketball; it is these that a coach normally requests a time-out to discuss.

---

Point guard (PG)

This position is also called the “one guard” or “lead guard“, is one of the standard positions in a regulation basketball game. Point guards are often the smallest players on the court with a notable exception being Magic Johnson. A point guard has perhaps the most specialized role of any position. Essentially, the point guard is expected to run the team’s offense by controlling the ball and making sure that it gets to the right players at the right time. Above all, the point guard must totally understand and accept his coach’s game plan. This means knowing when and how to instigate a fastbreak and when and how to initiate the more deliberate sets.

Point guard characteristics

A point guard, like all player positions in basketball, has specific characteristics that are essential for them to help guide their team to a victory. The Basketball Handbook by Lee Rose describes a point guard as a coach on the floor, who can handle and distribute the ball to teammates. It also states that the more speed a point guard has, the more likely they will be able to create separation and space off the dribble, which allows the point guard room to work. Point guards should also be vocal floor leaders, and should discuss rule interpretations with officials. A point guard must always know the time on both the shot clock and the game clock, the score, the number of time outs for both teams, and whom to foul late in the game. If a point guard has more size (height, muscle) compared to the prototypical point guard, it is considered a plus, but size is only secondary to knowledge of the game and skill. Point guards usually exert a leadership role on the floor similar to that of a quarterback in American football.

A true point guard’s job is to create scoring opportunities for his team. The role includes passing and running the offense: setting up plays on the court, getting the ball to the teammate that he feels is in the best position to score, and dictating the tempo of the game. An effective point guard will more or less control the game .

After an opponent scores, it is typically the point guard who brings the ball down court to begin an offensive play. For this reason, passing skills, ball handling, and court vision are pivotal. Point guards are often evaluated more on their assist totals than on their scoring. Still, a first-rate point guard should also have a reasonably effective jump shot.

Styles of play

Many times, the point guard is referred to by announcers as a “coach on the floor” or a “floor general”. In the past, this was particularly true, as several point guards such as Lenny Wilkens served their team as a player-coach. This is not as common anymore, as most coaches choose to call out the plays they wish to have run before each possession. Some point guards are still given a great deal of leeway in the offense, such as Steve Nash of the Phoenix Suns. Suns head coach Mike D’Antoni allowed him to freelance often when leading the Suns’ offense, even letting Nash call his own plays at times. But even point guards who are not given this much freedom are still extensions of their coach on the floor, and must display good leadership skills.

The styles with which point guards do their job vary widely from player to player. Speed is often cited as a necessity for the position, but this is not necessarily true. While players like T. J. Ford and Tony Parker thrive on being quick, many other point guards, like Mike Bibby and Kirk Hinrich, rely on savvy to lead their team. Likewise, many effective point guards help their team by being fantastic shooters such as Chauncey Billups, Steve Nash, Jason Terry and Gilbert Arenas. Other point guards also rely on being great scorers while also making plays such as Stephon Marbury.

Notable point guards

There are many high profile point guards currently playing professionally including Steve Nash, Gary Payton, Chris Paul, Smush Parker, Tony Parker, Jason Kidd, Jason Terry, Mike Bibby, Baron Davis, Chauncey Billups, Sue Bird (of the WNBA), Stephon Marbury, Steve Francis, Brevin Knight, Kirk Hinrich and Gilbert Arenas.

Great point guards of the past include Bob Cousy, Lenny Wilkens, Walt Frazier, Nate Archibald, Magic Johnson (who was an unusually tall point guard, standing at 6′9″/2.06 m), Isiah Thomas, and John Stockton. Another great guard of the past, Oscar Robertson, combined the skills of a point guard with those of a small forward, becoming one of the first point forwards which eventually became popularized by Scottie Pippen.

---

Shooting guard (SG)

This position is also known as “two guard” or “off guard”, is one of five traditional positions on a basketball team. Players of the position are often shorter, leaner, and quicker than forwards. A shooting guard’s main objective is to score points for their team. Some teams ask their shooting guards to bring up the ball as well; these players are known colloquially as “combo guards”. A player who can switch between playing shooting guard and small forward is known as a swingman.

Shooting guard characteristics

Shooting guards, like all player positions in basketball, have specific characteristics that are essential for them to help guide their team to a victory. “The Basketball Handbook” by Lee Rose describes a shooting guard as someone whose primary role is to score points. Typically, shooting guards are bigger than point guards, but size does not preclude smaller players from playing the position. One such notable player is Allen Iverson, a shooting guard who plays for the Denver Nuggets. While shooting guards are sometimes the best jump-shooters on the floor (hence the “shooting” part of the position name), most can also drive to the basket well. One good example is Manu Ginobili of the San Antonio Spurs.

Other characteristics a shooting guard should have are: A good catch-and-shoot skill set, (being able to line up at a designated spot, catch the basketball and make a shot without dribbling). Shooting guards also typically show an ability to penetrate into the basketball lane, and finish at the rim, by either a dunk or layup.

Styles of play

Shooting guards can be known for excelling at certain skills that shooting guards should be able to exhibit. Such as having a great shooting touch like Ray Allen and Allan Houston, strength and size like LeBron James, (who can be considered a point forward) being able to dunk in an athletic or powerful way like Vince Carter, Tracy McGrady, Kobe Bryant, or Jason Richardson. On the other side of the ball, some shooting guards, including notables such as Morris Peterson are known for their defense.

A shooting guard should be a good ball handler and be able to pass reasonably well — although passing is not their main priority, it is often a bonus. Since a good shooting guard may attract double-teams, shooting guards are frequently the team’s back-up ball handler to the point guard. Most shooting guards, however, focus primarily on scoring, allowing the point guard to worry about distributing the ball. Many bigger shooting guards can also play small forward. Size at the position varies; most shooting guards in the professional game are between 6 ft 3 and 6 ft 8 in, or 1.91 to 2.03 m.

Notable shooting guards

Michael Jordan, perhaps the best-known basketball player in history, played primarily as a shooting guard, and helped define the role of the modern position. That said, his skills, especially his ability to cut to the basket, were features that made him as much of a small forward as a shooting guard. Reggie Miller, on the other hand, is a more classic display of what the shooting guard position prototypically demands: lankier than Jordan, he moved very well off screens without the ball, and was a deadly jump shooter with a lightning-quick release.

There are many high profile shooting guards still active in professional basketball including Kobe Bryant, Vince Carter, Manu Ginobili, Richard Hamilton, Ray Allen, Diana Taurasi (WNBA player), Michael Redd, and Dwyane Wade.

Famous shooting guards of the past include Clyde Drexler, George Gervin, Hal Greer, John Havlicek, Sam Jones, Pete Maravich, Earl Monroe, Mitch Richmond, Bill Sharman, Allan Houston, Michael Jordan, and Jerry West.

---

Small Forward

This position, also colloquially referred to as “the three”, is one of the five positions in a regulation basketball game. Small forwards are typically somewhat shorter, quicker, and leaner than power forwards and centers, but on occasion are just as tall. 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. Most current NBA small forwards are between 6′5″ and 6′11″ in height.

Small forwards are primarily responsible for scoring points and also often as secondary or tertiary rebounders behind the power forwards and centers, although a few who play as point forwards have considerable passing responsibilities. Many small forwards in professional basketball, however, are prolific scorers. The styles with which small forwards amass their points vary widely, as some players at the position like the Hornets’ Peja Stojakovic are very accurate straight up shooters, while others like Kings’ Ron Artest prefer to “bang inside”, initiate and/or not shy away from physical contact with opposing players, while others are primarily slashers such as Tracy McGrady. One common thread between all kinds of small forwards is an ability to “get to the line”, that is have opposing players called for committing shooting fouls against them, as fouls are frequently called on the defense when offensive players “take the ball hard” to the basket, that is, aggressively attempt post-up plays, lay-ups, or slam dunks. Therefore, accurate foul shooting is an imperative skill for small forwards, many of whom record a large portion of their points from the foul line.

Defense is often a major priority for small forwards, who are often counted on using their athleticism and size as defensive advantages. Many small forwards are excellent defensive players including current NBA player Ron Artest, who is generally regarded as one of the best defensive players in the league today. Shawn Marion of the Phoenix Suns who with his length and athleticism is able to guard any position on the floor and is often called upon to do so. Bruce Bowen of the San Antonio Spurs, while not a star offensive player, is a masterful and tenacious defender, both on the perimeter and closer to the hoop. Former small forwards known for their defensive abilities include Larry Bird, an extremely smart team defender despite a lack of speed and Scottie Pippen, one of the best one-on-one defenders in the NBA for most of his career.

Many small forwards can also play shooting guard; those who switch between the two positions are called “swingmen” or “wings”. Among the most dominant small forwards of the past were Elgin Baylor, Rick Barry, Julius Erving, Larry Bird, James Worthy, Dominique Wilkins, and Scottie Pippen. Notable NBA small forwards who are currently playing include Ron Artest, Rashard Lewis, Carmelo Anthony, Grant Hill, Morris Peterson (who also plays shooting guard at times), Lamar Odom, Peja Stojakovic, Bobby Simmons, Tayshaun Prince, Shawn Marion, Gerald Wallace, Paul Pierce,James Posey, Bruce Bowen, Andrei Kirilenko, LeBron James, Josh Howard, Richard Jefferson, Tracy McGrady, and Dirk Nowitzki is another notable player with excellent small forward skills; however, because he is 7 feet tall, he has spent most of his time at power forward over the course of his NBA career.

---

Power Forward

The position is referred to in playbook terms as “the four” position. Power forwards play a role similar to that of center in what is called the “post” or “low blocks”. They play offensively with their back to the basket on offense and position themselves defensively under the basket in a zone defense or against the opposing power forward on defense in man-to-man defense.

Typically, a power forward is one of the larger players on the court, not as tall as the center but more muscular. They are usually expected to be aggressive when pursuing rebounds and score most of their points on the low post (no more than six feet (2 m) from the basket), as opposed to taking jump shots from farther away. Power forwards can be imposing presences on defense, but they usually defer to the center for blocking shots and general intimidation. In the NBA, a typical power forward is between 6′8″ and 7′0″ (2.03 to 2.13 m) in height and 220 to 260 pounds (100 to 120 kg) in weight, and is often asked to play center in specific game situations or when a particular team lacks a taller player.

Famous active power forwards include Chris Bosh, Lamar Odom, Kevin Garnett, Tim Duncan, Dirk Nowitzki, and Elton Brand. At higher levels like the NBA, the power forward position has evolved. While Nowitzki is noted for his strong inside game (he is consistently among the NBA leaders in rebounds), many of his skills, particularly his strong reliance on the jump shot, are much closer to those of a typical small forward. Other power forwards who add long range shooting to their skillset include Dirk Nowitzki, Antawn Jamison, Rasheed Wallace, and Troy Murphy. In addition, some “natural” power forwards often play the center position and have the skills but lack the height that is more closely associated with that position. Many argue that the 6′9″ Ben Wallace, though listed as a center by the Bulls and by his former team, the Pistons, is actually a natural power forward; this goes back to his days as PF for the Washington Wizards. Nevertheless, he is still considered one of the best centers in the league.

One example of an effective power forward who did not fit the standard physical description for that position was Dennis Rodman, who was able to out-rebound and defensively shut down rival power forwards despite being only 6 ft 6 in, 210 lb (1.98 m, 95 kg). Likewise, Charles Barkley was widely considered as one of the most dominating power forwards of his time as well as one of the most unique, despite being officially listed at only 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) and reportedly closer to 6′ 5″ or 6′ 4″ (1.96 to 1.93 m). Barkley’s playing weight of roughly 255 lb (116 kg) was typical for the position. Other famous retired power forwards include Karl Malone, Bob Pettit, Jerry Lucas, Dave DeBusschere, Elvin Hayes, and Kevin McHale.

---