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We love basketball here at GeoJango Maps. That's why we decided to create a NBA Teams Map to showcase the locations of every NBA team and their respective arenas. You can use this Basketball Map to keep track of which arenas you've visited or which ones you would like to visit in the future.
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The National Basketball Association (NBA) was established in 1946 and it quickly grew into one of the biggest sports organizations in the entire world. Today there are 30 NBA teams that each play 82 games every regular season (the 2020-21 season was shortened to 72 games). Once the regular season has finished, the best 16 teams proceed to the playoffs and compete for the coveted NBA championship.
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The Play-In tournament was still in use during the 2020-21 season but the format changed slightly. While some basketball analysts seemed to have trouble explaining the rules, it's quite simple:
The 2021-22 NBA season begins on 10/19/21 and ends on 4/10/22, at which point the Play-In tournament will begin to determine the 7th and 8th seeds in the playoffs.
We love basketball here at GeoJango Maps. That's why we decided to create a NBA Teams Map to showcase the locations of every NBA team and their respective arenas.
You can use this Basketball Map to keep track of which arenas you've visited or which ones you would like to visit in the future.
It also makes a great gift for basketball fans who can use this NBA Map to decorate any wall in their home or office!
As a special thank you for visiting our website, we're offering a discount code for 5% off any Sports Map Poster! Just enter the code "SPORTSPOSTER" during checkout to receive your special discount.
Home / All sports / How many players are there in basketball? Player positions and their meanings
Basketball is a popular indoor team game played by 2 teams of 5 players each.
The essence of the game is to throw the ball into the opponent's ring from different positions, score more points than the opponent. The official basketball rules indicate the following number of players:
- How many in one team on the field - 5
- How many on the site at the same time - 10
- Total number of substitutions in each team - 12
- How many sit on the bench - 7 for each team
It should be clarified that in the past this sport was played 9v9, then they came to the 7v7 version, and today they play 5v5 in all tournaments. Each basketball match consists of 4 periods: 10 minutes each in competitions under the auspices of FIBA and 12 minutes each. in the National Basketball League (NBA). The number of substitutions in basketball is not limited.
We also note that there are no differences in the number of people on the court in the NBA and FIBA: 5 vs 5 are played here and there. -and years. True, here each team can have 10 people in the application (5 on the field, 5 on the substitution).
There is another common version of basketball called "streetball". Here they play 3 on 3 plus, and in total there can be 6 people in the squad with spares. Read more about the rules of the streetball game here.
Positions of players in basketball and their meanings
There are 3 positions in basketball (defender, forward and center), but if you divide the players by ampoule, then 5 categories are distinguished:
- Point guard (first number) - Point Guard (PG )
- Shooting guard (second number) -Shooting Guard (SG)
- Small Forward (SF)
- Power Forward (PF)
- Center (fifth number) - Center (C)
Point guard
Point guard is a player who must have good ball handling, dribbling and leadership skills. Traditionally, the point guard enters the field at number 1: they are short, very fast and agile. As a rule, basketball players of this role play away from their own and other people's baskets and in the other half of the court they are a playmaker who performs a large number of attacking actions.
Attacking defender
Such a player is responsible for long-range 3-point shots on the field, he must have good accuracy and hit the basket from different distances. The attacking defender must also be excellent with the ball and assist the point guard in creating combinations. Perhaps the most striking example of the best shooting guard in basketball history is Michael Jordan.
Small forward
The small forward is the most versatile player on the basketball team. Its functions include scoring, rebounding, blocking. The combination of height, agility and speed allows the small forward to play well in a number of positions and score a lot of points.
Power Forward
The power forward must be tall and strong in order to be proficient under the basket. Many basketball players in this position do not score many points, but they bring a lot of value on rebounds. Such forwards are also good at blocking other people's shots.
Center
As a rule, these are the most powerful and tallest members of the team with a height of more than 2 meters and a weight of more than 100 kg. The center can be an excellent scorer, as well as an excellent ball interceptor and blocker. For most teams, the center is the last line of defense. Especially in the 20th century in the NBA, the presence of a center on the field was considered a fundamental factor in winning matches and the tournament as a whole. The most striking example of a center is Shaquille O'Neal.
Basketball rules do not establish a strictly regulated position of players on the court - it's all purely formal. Any player during the match can be anywhere on the court. Particularly appreciated in this sport are universal basketball players who can play equally well in any position. A player with a huge arsenal of skills will certainly be taken to one of the best teams in the world. In modern realities, it is very important to develop yourself in different positions - universality is a valuable indicator, as well as in many other sports.
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How many players are there in basketball and what position do they occupy on the field?
To find out how many players there are in basketball, you just need to watch any match. Five people on each side, it's easy to count. But the team consists of a larger number of persons, since substitute players are needed. If a basketball player from the main team for some reason cannot enter the court, then he will be replaced by a substitute from the same team. This is not all the features, each player has his own role and functions. It doesn’t hurt to deal with the T-shirts, why don’t the numbers on them go in order? From this article, you will find out how many people are on the basketball team, what duties they have, as the strange numbering on the uniform explains.
Basketball is not just competition for the ball and accuracy of hits, it is primarily a tactic. Any coach reflects on tactics, starting from the characteristics of his wards. To play a good game, he needs specialists of various profiles, placed in suitable places. Let's start with the size of the composition.
How many people are on the basketball team?
Distribution of roles is carried out according to available skills. If the teams are in full force and no one has been removed, then 10 people will play, 5 from each side. There are also spares, for each - no more than 7 in stock.
Let's count the number of players in the basketball team. It turns out that up to 12, that's how much you can enter the tournament. Substitutions are not limited in this sport, but they are infrequently required. If the referee calls from the bench with the characteristic gesture of crossing his arms, then he ceases to be a substitute.
Distribution and tactics
Knowing how many basketball players are on the court, you can proceed to the study of functions.
In amateur teams they are divided into two lines, in teams of a higher level there are five positions. There are dozens of functions in professional games.
The back row are those who defend their basket and start attacking the opponent's side. Positions on the lines can change, but at the very beginning of the position on the back are occupied by two defenders, who plays and throws.
point guard
First and foremost, and he sets the tone for the whole team, is its think tank. Performs the following functions:
- fast response, rapid decision-making in a changing situation;
- basket protection, belaying your comrades to enhance protection;
- synchronization of actions of all players;
- creating optimal conditions for front line players to perform an accurate throw;
- fighting for the rebound;
- active actions at the opponent's ring.
He is also entrusted with the function of monitoring compliance with the tactics outlined by the coach.
He can aggravate or, on the contrary, slow down the game when the situation requires it. If the concept changes, it is he who lets everyone know about it.
Of the total number of players in basketball, it is the point guard who is distinguished by outstanding sports and analytical features, moreover, he enjoys authority in his team. He creates the conditions for good attacks, leads the team behind him and closely monitors every action of the opponents, meets them harshly on his part of the field and leads the game to intercept.
Attacking defender
Assists the first player. The difference is that he aims to mark the biggest opponents, he meets opponents and enters the fray for rebounding the ball under the basket. The most important skill for this basketball player is the accuracy of long-range hits, so that their percentage is high, he must be able to get out of custody and choose advantageous positions.
Main responsibilities:
- repelling an attack, taking the ball away;
- three-point hits;
- distraction of the opponent, release of zones for comrades.
Comboguard
If there is a Comboguard on the field, then this is a player with the same qualities as the first two, but in some way inferior to them. For example, he may not be tall enough to compete for the ball under the basket with taller players, or unable to make quick decisions. At the same time, a very necessary figure, he is usually mobile and capable of effective attacks. Often such a basketball player is released on the field as a replacement for another representative of the team.
Front line
Now let's see how many people play basketball on the attack line. They are responsible for performance, the best ways to deliver the ball into the basket. If necessary, they will help the defenders.
Small Forward
Can replace the attacking defender, performing his functions, he can also be aimed at long-range shots. The difference lies in the position, in the standard formation the shooting guard is located under his basket to counter the opponents' attacks, and the small forward is under the opponent's basket.
He picks up the balls, bringing the team points. Also, this figure moves from one basket to another when there are useful skills. For this player, height is not the most significant of the indicators, muscle is much more important. There should be enough of them to fight for the ball, clear the way for themselves and their comrades.
Power forward
This basketball player can be compared to a ram, he is physically developed and strong, energetic and hardy, which allows him to complete attacks. He completes the attack himself or passes the ball to the post. During each of the attacks, he is always under the shield, as he is the best at fighting for the rebound. The success of the attack depends on how the center and power forward interact, together they control every rebound and shot, bypass block shots and screens.
Such athletes are equally good with both hands, they clearly and accurately give passes to the nearest millimeter. The main indicator for them is the quality of close shots after the rebound.
It will not hurt them to master the “hook” throw, it is for this role that the technique will be as effective as possible. Heavy forwards can play both front and back, and are generally bold and aggressive, often opposing on the verge of fouling.
Center
If the point guard is the brain of the team, then the center is the heart. The highest players go to this role, and the set of points depends on them. Most of the goals he scores will come from close range. A significant part of the violations of the rules occur precisely at the center, the opponent does not allow him to hit from an advantageous position, knowing that it will be more difficult for him to hit from the free throw zone.
Coaches build tactics based on the strong qualities of the center, since it is he who will get most of the rebounds under the shields, however, as well as block shots.
The center constantly predicts the situation, he fights for the continuation of the attack, which is beneficial for his team, but he does it carefully, since he does not need violations.
He has a whole range of deception moves, high-level specialists can deceive the enemy with just their eyes. As a rule, this role is assigned to guys whose height exceeds 210 cm.
Center forward
Combines center and power forward, plays well in the three-second zone. He wins rebounds and rebounds for his own, carries out attacks with his face and back to the basket. He is taller than the power forward, and the center is superior in maneuverability.
Combo forward
Combines the functions of two forwards, as he can hit from any distance. He can be called a jack of all trades, as he moves quickly and just as quickly makes the right decisions, misleads opponents and insures in the fight under the basket.
Point Forward
Another basketball genius, he can be a point guard and forward, as he has defensive skills, but he is also a great shooter. The point forward makes accurate shots from any distance.
Swingman
A unique compromise between offense and defense.
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