How to be a good small forward in basketball

How to Dominate as a Small Forward in Basketball (Tips and Tricks)

The small forward, who is often referred to as the “three”, can be one of the most important roles on a basketball team.

The ideal small forward is typically a player who is bigger and stronger than the point guard and shooting guard, but shorter and quicker than the power forward and center.

This player will primarily play on the wing offensively, they will be asked to do a number of different things on the defensive end of the floor to benefit the team.

Although every player wants to do "a little bit of everything" to help the team -- especially as today’s youth watch players like LeBron James, Kawhi Leonard, and Kevin Durant dominate the game -- not all players are suited to play the position successfully.

 So, what characteristics can make for a dominant small forward?

1. Versatility

Perhaps the most important trait that every great small forward must possess is the ability to do multiple things for the team.

They are not the primary ball handler, but must still be a good dribbler.

They are probably not the first option to post up within the offense, but must still be able to play with their back to the basket in the post.

They may not be the leading scorer, but must still be able to shoot from the outside and create driving opportunities.

Players who can only drive and are no threat to shoot or players who only stay outside to shoot threes are rarely considered great small forwards.

The small forward is stereotypically the most athletic player on the team, which is why they are capable of doing so many things.

Skills like speed, strength, agility, and quickness are useful at any position on the court, of course, but the player who possesses those skills at the highest level will typically make a great small forward.

Of course, the most athletic player on the team may not always be the small forward.

The ideal small forward couples the athleticism mentioned above with the length and size that allow them to be so versatile.

Typically, they will be taller and stronger than the point guard or shooting guard, but shorter and leaner than the power forward or center.

Because the small forward is expected to do a number of things for the team, one of the most important traits of the position is being able to anticipate which play to make, and when.

This may also be commonly referred to as ‘Basketball IQ.’

> When is the right time to shoot the three pointer?

> When should he drive to the basket and score?

> When should he drive with the intention of creating opportunities for a teammate?

Like any position on the court, instinct is the trait that commonly separates a “good” small forward from a “dominant” one.

This is a difficult trait to teach, but we will talk more below about how players can work on improving their instinct.

The small forward is usually not the player with the ball in his hands the most, as the point guard is tasked with bringing the ball up the court and initiating the offense.

However, they will still be expected to be able to handle the ball at a high level, both on the perimeter and while slicing into the lane.

They are also unlikely to be isolated as a scorer in the post, but they will still be expected to play physical in the lane and to score with their back to the basket if the opportunity is there.

Any player who is not the primary ball handler or scorer, but is still expected to do both of those things at a high level, must be selfless in order to truly be great at the position.

The small forward is expected to be versatile and to do a little bit of everything.

But what does that mean, exactly?

Even though they can make plays in many different ways, it’s equally important to realize that this does not mean having the ball at all times, taking all the shots, or forcing something to happen every time they get the ball.

So, what are the specific responsibilities of a great small forward?

Perhaps more than any player on the court, the small forward is expected to be able to drive to the basket and score.

Because no offense can thrive on just throwing the ball around the perimeter or only working through the post, slashing into the lane and scoring at a high level is probably their most important responsibility.

Especially at the youth level, driving to score is important for the because it may not be a strength of the other players.

The smaller guards - the “ones” and the “twos” - may not be strong enough to get into the lane or long enough to score if they get there.

The larger and slower post players - the “fours” and the “fives” - may not be quick enough to create their own shot off the dribble.

Attacking the rim and forcing the defense to collapse is important within just about any offense, and that often starts with the small forward.

While dominant small forwards often drive with the intent of scoring with a strong finish at the rim, it is equally important that they can put their teammates in opportunities to score as well.

Defenses will be prepared to help when that player drives to the lane, which will leave teammates open on the perimeter, and a great small forward is able to see the floor and distribute.

It is great to have a small forward that is big, strong, and athletic enough to get into the lane and score...

But if they are not also able to have vision of the court and pass to open teammates, eventually the defense will adjust to stop a one-dimensional player.

While a great small forward is dangerous when putting the ball on the floor and attacking the basket, that will eventually become easier to defend if they are not also able to knock down an outside shot.

If they are only a threat to drive, the defense will collapse into the lane when they have the ball, limiting opportunities not only for themselves, but for the entire offense.

Being a threat to make three pointers limits which defenders can guard a small forward, it forces the defender to cover more space, and it opens driving lanes for everybody else on the court.

Though the small forward is not the primary ball handler, they still primarily play on the wing and are considered a perimeter player.

This means they are able to help the point guard and shooting guard handle the ball and find a good shot within the offense.

In late game situations where ball control and limiting turnovers is most important, a dominant small forward is able to help the other two guards control the ball.

Of course, being a strong ball handler will also help a small forward attack the basket, as well.

While we have focused on offense to this point, we have established that the small forward is oftentimes the most athletic player on the team.

Of course, this means they will oftentimes be responsible for guarding the most athletic player on the other team.

In many cases, this may actually be the most important responsibility of the small forward.

While other players may be able to handle the ball or make shots, they may not be physically capable of guarding the most athletic player on the other team.

Again, this is a role of the small forward that requires selflessness, as it is not easy to guard the other team’s most athletic player in almost every game.

Even though the small forward is considered a perimeter player, they also have the responsibility to rebound along with the power forward and the center.

Point guards and shooting guards may still be expected to rebound as well, but it is rarely a huge strength at those positions.

Therefore, the small forward must also be able to rebound on both ends of the court.

Otherwise, there would really only be two post players responsible for the boards.

Now that we have established what characteristics can make for a strong small forward and the specific responsibilities of the position, how can a player improve in those areas?

As mentioned above, athleticism and strength are both key.

While some of that is genetic or natural and of course height can not be trained, quickness, agility, and strength are all certainly skills that can be improved.

While a great small forward has the ability to slash into the lane and make athletic plays for himself or his teammates, any player that is not a threat to score from the outside eventually becomes much easier to defend.

The ability to spread the floor and force the defense to extend and guard on the perimeter is oftentimes the skill that separates a player who is just a good athlete from a dominant one.

In order to be a truly dominant small forward, you must be considered a good shooter.

And becoming a great shooter requires thousands of repetitions over many seasons.

Any player who wants to be great should be doing drills that break down individual situations that occur within a game, and it's important that these breakdown drills force the player to make a decision.

Because the small forward is expected to do a wide variety of things, he must practice when it is appropriate to drive, shoot, or pass to a teammate.

One simple option is a 2-on-2 breakdown where the player catches the ball on the wing and then must react to both an on-ball defender and a help defender who is in the lane.

If the on-ball defender sags off, the player takes the shot.

If the defender takes the three-point shot away, the player drives and then must make a decision to score or pass, depending on the help defender.

Although it is difficult to teach a true ‘Basketball IQ,’ breakdown drills that encourage decision making will at least help a player anticipate during real game situations.

Breakdown drills will help a small forward practice when to shoot, drive, or pass, but ultimately nothing will truly mimic a real game situation like playing at full speed.

Because instinct is such an important trait, it is important to play a lot of full-court, 5-on-5 games in order to practice reacting to different defenders and different situations.

Many players want to have a chance to handle the ball, shoot from the perimeter, score off the dribble, and guard the other team’s best player... but few are actually capable.

A dominant small forward has to combine size and athleticism with instinct, ‘Basketball IQ,’ and a wide mix of basketball skills, which is a combination that not many players possess.

However, a long and athletic player who trains to improve their physical skills and is also able to make a variety of plays has the potential to become a dominant small forward, which can ultimately be the most important piece of a good team.

Basketball Small Forward

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Table of Contents

• Basketball Small Forwards
• What does a small forward do?
• Small Forward Roles and Responsibilities
• Types of Small Forwards
• Small Forward Statistics
• Top 10 NBA Small Forwards Of All Time
• Top NBA Small Forwards in 2022
• Notable Small Forwards
• FAQ

Basketball Small Forwards

Small forwards are similar to shooting guards, but you can think of them as more versatile players. They need to be skilled in just about every area of basketball. The small forward is also usually the most athletic player on the court. Small forwards are experts at hitting three pointers and moving towards the basket for easy layups. 

Small forwards are generally taller than point guards and shooting guards but shorter than power forwards and centers. In the NBA, the range of heights for small forwards is from 6’5” to 6’10”. The small forward is known as SF or the number three.

What does a small forward do?

Small forwards are counted on to do many things in a basketball game. A typical small forward has a diverse set of skills. They are playmakers, can grab rebounds, score points in a variety of ways, handle the ball, and find open teammates. Similar to other positions, small forwards should be great at playing both offense and defense.  

One big difference between small forwards and other positions is who they end up opposing. They may be matched up with a tall playmaking point guard, a skilled shooting guard or a strong power forward at any particular time. Small forwards need to be able to adjust their skillset to match the player they are lining up against. On defense, small forwards should be able to roam the perimeter and keep up with guards along with being a capable post defender against frontcourt opponents.

However, not all small forwards possess all of the skills described above. Oftentimes, small forwards are also used to fill very specific roles. Some small forwards may be offensive or defensive specialists, sharpshooters or playmakers, or a number of other roleplayers.

Overall, small forwards are usually the strongest all-around player on a basketball team. They fill numerous gaps in order to keep the frontcourt and backcourt balanced.

Small Forward Roles and Responsibilities

Small forwards can adapt more easily to different roles than shooting guards because they have more weapons in their arsenal. As a small forward, you should have a strong overall game and be able to make three-pointers from downtown and buckets while in the paint.

Small forwards are bigger than point guards and shooting guards, but slightly smaller than power forwards. Oftentimes, small forwards are quick enough to stay in front of shooting guards, but strong enough to defend a power forward in the post. These are players who can help the power forwards and centers defending the rim. An example of one such small forward is LeBron James.

Roles on Offense

On offense, the small forward has the following roles on the court:

• Making threes
• Driving towards the paint for easy layups
• Setting screens

Roles on Defense

On defense, the small forward has the following roles on the court:

• Getting rebounds
• Guarding opposing players
• Covering wings

Types of Small Forwards

Small forwards can play a variety of roles on a basketball team. The name of the position, small forward, indicates what the player is required to do. They should be able to pass and move like a guard, but rebound, jump, and defend like a power forward. Depending on how the coach wants to use them in that specific game, small forwards can be called on to handle the ball and initiate the offense, be a spot up shooter, be a dynamic scorer, a lockdown defender, or just about anything in between. The two main types of small forwards in the NBA are wing players and swingmen. 

Wing Players

Small forwards are called wing players because they play at the wings of the floor. Although sometimes small forwards find themselves in the post, they are not known to be post players. The majority of the time, small forwards can be found on the perimeter of the three point line near the sidelines. From this position, they have numerous options. They can shoot, pass, make a play with the ball, cut, or set screens. Depending on the player, a small forward may line up at different areas around the perimeter. If a small forward is more of a shooter, they may line up on the wings and in the corners to assure they get good three-point looks. If a small forward is more of a ball handler, they may stay on the wings and towards the top of the three-point line so they have a better view of the court.

Swingmen

In basketball, a swingman is a player who can swing between the positions of shooting guard and small forward. These players can be implemented seamlessly at either position. They need to be quick, strong, and great all-around basketball players. These players will be able to guard small forwards and shooting guards, as well as produce offensively from both positions. These players are often great three-point and mid range shooters, but are also capable at driving and finishing around the rim. A swingman is a very useful player because they can be asked to guard the opposing team’s shooting guard or small forward, depending on who is a bigger threat. In the NBA today, notable swingmen include Klay Thompson, Jimmy Butler, Paul George, Demar Derozan, and Andrew Wiggins.

Small forwards are solid all around players, so they have good statistics in nearly every category. The three primary statistical categories to consider when assessing small forwards are points, assists, and rebounds. For a small forward, the best stat one can get is recording a triple double, or double digit numbers in points, rebounds, and assists. The stats of a small forward depend on their style of play, as some players may be great scorers and average over 25 points per game; however, other players may be stronger rebounders or passers and therefore have higher numbers in different areas. For a defensive specialist small forward, important stats are steals, blocks, and points scored against.

Small forwards should have strong numbers in the following statistics:

• Assists
• Rebounds
• Points

Top 10 NBA Small Forwards Of All Time

Here are some of the best NBA small forwards of all time:

• Larry Bird
• Julius Erving
• LeBron James
• Kevin Durant
• Scottie Pippen
• Elgin Baylor
• John Havlicheck
• Rick Barry
• James Worthy
• Dominique Wilkins

Top NBA Small Forwards in 2022

Here are some of the top small forwards in the 2022 NBA season:

• Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics
• Kevin Durant, Brooklyn Nets
• DeMar DeRozan, Chicago Bulls
• Jimmy Butler, Miami Heat
• Kawhi Leonard, Los Angeles Clippers,
• LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers

Notable Small Forwards

The greatest small forwards in NBA history have all separated themselves from all other small forwards through their skill and accomplishments on the court. Below are some highlights from the best small forwards the NBA has ever seen.

Larry Bird: Easily one of the most famous basketball players of all time, won three NBA Championships, three NBA MVPs, ten All-NBA selections, and two NBA Finals MVPs. He is one of the most talented and clutch players of all time.

Julius “Dr. J” Erving: Famous for his incredible floating dunks and impressive athleticism, but he also won one NBA Championship, an MVP award, and made 11 All-NBA teams.

Scottie Pippen: Michael Jordan’s partner in crime, Pippen is the ideal small forward. He helped revolutionize the position, winning six NBA Championships and making 7 All-NBA teams along the way.

LeBron James: As the most popular basketball player in the world, he is also one the best the game has ever seen. Although he is still playing, 18 All NBA selections, four MVPs, four NBA Championships, four NBA Finals MVPs, along with a huge cultural impact have helped solidify his case as perhaps the greatest small forward to ever.

Kevin Durant: Another current player, Durant has become one of the most unstoppable offensive players in NBA history. With a near 7’0 ft frame, Kevin Durant is a nightmare matchup and has accumulated four scoring titles, an MVP award, two NBA Championships, and two NBA Finals MVPs.

FAQ

What is the role of a small forward?

Small forwards are tasked with scoring from the wing, driving lanes, and shooting three pointers on offense. On defense, the roles of small forwards include guarding the wings, preventing perimeter shots, and grabbing rebounds. With all these unique roles, small forwards are known for being some of the most versatile players on the court.

What does SF mean in basketball?

The abbreviation SF is used in basketball to refer to the small forward position. Small forwards play in the wings, close to the end line and are known for aggressive ball handling and making rapid changes in direction in an effort to get open. Short forwards are important defensive weapons and versatile all-around players.

What is the difference between small forwards and power forwards?

The difference between small forwards and power forwards is their position on the court, average size, and tendency to shoot and score. Small forwards play in the wings while power forwards play in the post. Power forwards are typically bigger and taller; small forwards are more quick and compact. Power forwards are more likely to shoot and score, though small forwards always keep themselves open for an easy basket.

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Comprehensive characteristics of competency-based qualities and abilities of front line players in basketball — NovaInfo 64

Altai State Pedagogical University

The article discusses the necessary qualities and abilities of light and heavy forwards from the standpoint of the specifics of their functions.

Keywords

EFFICIENCY OF PLAYING ACTIVITY, FORWARD, POWER FORWARD, BASKETBALL, ROLE, SMALL FORWARD

Text of scientific work

In modern basketball there is the following distribution of players (back line forwards): front row players), centers. At the same time, differentiation of functions within the game roles is observed. So among the attackers, a light forward (number three - the “perimeter” player) and a heavy forward (fourth number) are distinguished.

Each player in the basketball team must have specific qualities necessary for effective actions in his position [4].

The general qualities required of forwards will be the following: having good maneuverability, being able to attack from middle and long positions, being able to sharpen the game near the opponents' basket through passing to the center or own high-speed pass.

In addition, they must defend competently in their positions and, in addition, assist the post in rebounding the ball on both backboards.

Considering the actions of forwards from the standpoint of players' universalization, it should be noted that in addition to performing their main functions, attackers, if necessary, can perform separate functions of both defenders and center[1].

A small forward is a perimeter player. From this it is clear that he is inclined to act on the distant approaches to the opponent's basket, where he must be able, through individual actions, to create conditions for himself to throw.

Comparing the role of a small forward with the role of an attacking defender, one can trace certain similarities, based on the fact that the main function of both the second and third numbers is the ability to bring points to their team, and, therefore, both should be distinguished by high performance, which implies, that the two positions are interchangeable.

However, there are differences between these positions. The main difference is that the small forward spends more time fighting for the rebound under the opponent's shield, while the attacking defender always stays closer to his basket, ready to prevent a quick counterattack.

One of the most important qualities of a small forward is the ability to create conditions for himself to shoot. Because of this, he must have a good level of individual skill.

At the same time, it should be noted that the functions of a small forward include not only attacking the opponents' ring, but also the duties of protecting his own ring, fighting for rebounds on both backboards.

Alex Sacher and Walt "Clyde" Frazier note the convention of the small forward title, citing the fact that the Giants can currently play the position. These are Sharif Abdur-Rahim (205 cm), Detlef Schrempf (208 cm), Kevin Garnett (210 cm). At the same time, it is impossible not to mention that one of the strongest light forwards in basketball history, Larry Bird, who played in the Boston Celtics, had a height of 205 cm [2, p. 95].

In addition to the named growth indicators, the above-mentioned authors point out the requirement for the mandatory presence of physical strength for a light forward in order to play in the position of a heavy (powerful) attacker. G. Pinholster also notes the need to increase muscle strength, without which the effectiveness in defensive actions and in the fight for the ball on the shield will noticeably decrease [6, p. 9].

A winger is, first of all, high growth, speed and jumping ability, a well-developed sense of time and space, sniper abilities, the ability to assess the game situation and attack boldly and decisively. Small forwards must be proficient on offense. Like an attacking defender, he must be very effective. That is why these two positions are interchangeable. At the same time, the light forward is more focused on storming the ring than the attacking defender. The small forward is more likely than an attacking defender to fight for rebounds at the back of opponents and generally spends more time in this zone, while the attacking defender stays closer to his basket. A light forward must, through individual skill, be able to create conditions for himself to shoot.

Turning to the consideration of the necessary qualities of another attacker - a heavy forward (number four), it should be noted that he is more inclined to play at the post position, but at the same time differs from the latter in high maneuverability.

This is a ram-type striker with proportional physical development, good physique, jumping ability, able to quickly and universally play under the backboard and in the depth of the court, facing or back to the backboard, possessing the skills to fight for the rebound from the move, counteract the opponents' throws, ring attack after the pass.

A power forward must have a stable shot from medium and long distances, a high-speed pass, and the ability to pass to the center. In addition, the power forward must be able to competently act in defense in his position, as well as work closely with the center in order to pick up the ball on both shields.

A high level of athleticism and endurance is a necessary quality for a power forward, one of whose main tasks is to fight under the shield. A player in the power forward position must combine the best qualities of a small forward and center.

With all this, it is important today that due to the limitation of power contacts, a power forward must have dexterity, sports flexibility .

Considering the necessary qualities of a power forward, it is necessary to point out his game interaction with the center. They are similar in general tasks: playing under the basket, in the penalty area, regardless of whether we are talking about shots, block shots, rebounds or screens. At the same time, which of them performs certain actions is, in essence, not important.

At the same time, not always having a stable mid-range shot and perfect technique, they must always be able to take the right position under the shield in attack and defense when fighting for the rebound. In addition to a high level of athleticism, a power forward must be able to see the court well, which is complemented by the ability to quickly and correctly analyze the situation, make the right decision, be dexterous, dexterous, and flexible. Ideally, he should combine all the best features of both center and small forward. In accordance with this, a power forward must be able to play with his back and facing the ring, use a hook throw, equally use his right and left hands, be able to give accurate, timely passes, make quick decisions, think tactically competently, show the best physical and volitional qualities, playing skills in difficult situations. At the same time, unlike the center, the power forward is more focused on fighting under the shield.

Power forwards shoot the basket, usually from close range from inside the penalty area or near the end line. They score points after they take possession of the ball that bounced off the shield.

Speaking about the interaction with the center, it should be noted that a kind of relationship develops between these players. Their common task is to dominate under the basket, in the penalty area, whether it is shots, blocked shots, rebounds or screens. Each of the two players in the link must rely on the strengths of his partner and compensate for his shortcomings.

The main duties of forwards include: connecting to a fast break and scoring it, attacking the basket from a distance and from close range, fighting for a bounced ball, finishing the ball.

When acting on defense - to neutralize the attackers of the opposing team, to fight for the rebounded ball, to insure the players of the front line. For the successful performance of these functions, the attackers must have the methods and means of fighting against the attackers of the opponent, it is especially important to have counteraction against the jump shot and pass along the front line.

Forwards in basketball are distinguished by: high growth, speed, jumping ability, a developed sense of time and space, sniper qualities, a quick assessment of the game situation, bold and decisive actions. For the purposes of interchangeability, the attacker must not be inferior to the defensive quality of the players in the back row.

Among the factors influencing the effectiveness of the playing activity of strikers-basketball players, the most important are: playing aggressiveness, performance efficiency, anthropometric and accuracy factors [5].

In addition, basketball players consider intellectual manifestations to be the most significant and put them above such important factors as feeling for the ball, coordination abilities, speed.

Among the qualities necessary for an attacker in basketball, there is a foresight of situations and operational thinking, which are interconnected with the choice of position and the moment for attack.

In addition, the attacker should practically without pauses solve operational tasks related to individual or group tactical actions, but in general, according to M. S. Bril forward's ability to interact is estimated as underestimated [3, p. 31].

So, based on the specifics of the playing role, the players of the front line in basketball should have the following set of abilities: speed, jumping ability, coordination of movements, speed endurance, starting speed, focus on taking the ring, quick orientation, foresight of the situation, operational thinking, completion of the attack, participation in a fast break, reaction speed, “sense of the ball”, sniper abilities, sense of time and space, concentration of attention, passion, aggressiveness, courage, irascibility, vigor, irresistibility.

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Literature List

1. Basketball: Theory and Teaching Methods: Textbook. allowance for students. higher textbook institutions / D.I. Nesterovsky. - 3rd ed., erased. - M.: Publishing Center "Academy", 2007. - 336 p.
2. Basketball / Walt "Clyde" Frazier, Alex Sacher; per. from English. R.A. Tssafman. – M.: Ast: Astrel, 2006. – ХVI. - 383 p.
3. Bril, M.S. Selection in sports games / M.S. Brill. - M .: Physical culture and sport, 1980. - 127 p.
4. Wutten M. How to succeed in training basketball players. M.: TVT Division, 2008. - 400 p.
5. Kalita M.V. Factors influencing the effectiveness of the playing activity of basketball players of various roles // World of Science, Culture, Education. 2009 No. S. 127-129.
6. Pinholster, G. Encyclopedia of basketball drills / G. Pinholster. - M.: "FiS", 1973. - 164 p.

Quote

Kalita, M.V. Complex characteristics of competency-based qualities and abilities of players of the front line in basketball / M. V. Kalita. - Text: electronic // NovaInfo, 2017. - No. 64. - P. 253-257. — URL: https://novainfo.ru/article/12669 (date of access: 10/18/2022).

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Heavy or power forward