An Easy Way to Explain
Basketball is a simple game, or so it seems at first glance. There are five players on each side, one ball, and two hoops, one at each end of the court. But once the ball is in play, it becomes clear quickly that each player has a role to play, a place on the court, and a way of contributing to the game. This basketball positions guide is a rundown of positions explained in simple terms. It’s basketball positions explained without the complicated jargon.
What are the Five Positions in Basketball?
Positions are not set in stone, but they provide a good place to start. And even though they’re not set in stone, it helps to know what they are so that we can better understand what makes a basketball team tick.
The Point Guard Sets the Tone
The point guard is the leader of the pack. It’s their job to bring the ball up the court, call plays, and determine where the offense starts. If a basketball team appears calm and collected under pressure, it’s probably because of its point guard. The point guard has to have good vision and think on their feet. They pass most of the time but are capable of scoring, too. When things start to go wrong, the ball tends to find its way back to the point guard.
The Basketball Shooting Guard Finds the Gaps
The basketball shooting guard plays off the ball a little more than the point guard does. Their job is to score, and they do it from outside the key most of the time. If the opposing team collapses on the offense, this player is ready to capitalize on the scoring opportunity. The basketball shooting guard is a moving target. They’re always on the go, cutting and curling around screens to find space on the court. A good shooting guard makes the opposing team nervous even when they don’t have the ball in their hands. Their priority is scoring, but they’re also asked to defend the opposing team’s best perimeter scorer.
The Small Forward Does a Bit of Everything
This is the most versatile position. The small forward does a little bit of everything. They score, rebound, pass, and defend. Sometimes, the small forward is the leading scorer. Sometimes, the small forward does the dirty work. This versatility means that small forwards come in different varieties. They have one thing in common, however: flexibility. Sometimes, the team needs a boost. Sometimes, the small forward is the boost.
The Power Forward Brings Physical Play
The power forward plays near the basket. They are not as limited as the center, however. They have the best of both worlds. They have the power and the skill. Basketball has changed, and the power forward reflects this change. They now have the ability to shoot from the perimeter. They are no longer limited to playing near the basket. Physical play is still a hallmark, however. They protect the paint and set the tempo with their toughness.
The Center Anchors the Defense
Basketball positions are centered on a particular player. The center position in basketball protects the paint, block shots, and rebounds. They score near the basket and draw defenders towards the basket. Centers change the way teams play. When a team has a good center, the opposing team will not attempt to drive. They will not attempt to score in the paint. They will attempt to score from the perimeter.
How the Five Positions Fit Together
The five positions in basketball are doing the same thing: balancing the team. The guards handle the ball. The wings stretch the floor. The bigs protect the paint. This balance is what dictates the team’s strategy. A team with smaller players will be quicker. A team with larger players will be slower and will punish mistakes inside the paint.
What is the Strongest Position in Basketball?
Which basketball position is the strongest depends on the context. In terms of physicality, the strongest positions are the centers and power forwards. These are the positions that take the most punishment. In the context of mental toughness, the strongest position is the point guard. This is the position that has the most responsibility.
How do basketball positions affect team strategy?
Basketball positions affect the strategy significantly. A team with shooting guards will spread the floor. A team with big men will go inside-out. These are the different roles that basketball positions dictate. To understand how the best basketball players utilized the different basketball positions, it’s important to explore the greatest college basketball players. These are the players who defined the different basketball positions before they became professionals.