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How to know your position in basketball
Basketball Positions and Roles - ActiveSG
In a typical game of basketball, there are usually five players on each team on the court, and each player has their roles and responsibilities.
Traditionally, players who filled these position would solely stick to their role and focus on their task, but basketball has advanced a lot since then and every player these days are required to play two or more positions at one time.
This is due to the nature of the sport where players move around and play flexibly, doing what is required in any given situation.
Here are the five basic positions and their role in basketball,
1. Centre
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The centre is usually the team’s tallest and strongest player and is positioned under the basket. He is also required to be physically domineering with more physical strength and athleticism.
On the offensive play, most centres do not consistently score midrange or beyond the arch. Instead, most of their points should be from offensive rebounds and are also required to block defenders to open other players up for driving to the basket.
On the defence, the centre is responsible for keeping the opponent from shooting by blocking shots and passes in the vital area. They’re also expected to fight for rebounds as they’re usually taller physically.
Are you the Centre on your team? Check out the Ultimate Guide to Playing Center to find out how you can up your game?
Power Forwards are usually the second tallest in the team and are the closest to the centre in terms of physical attributes and playing style but with more speed.
They are often the most versatile player, being able to score in the paint as well as being able to shoot from midrange. It will be more effective if they’re able to land a three-point consistently.
Defensively, they are required to have the strength to guard bigger players close to the basket.
Notable Power Forwards: Anthony Davis, Draymond Green, Paul Millsap
Basketball Drills For Power Forwards and Centers:
Crab dribbling drill
Classic finishing drill
Post Feed, Fade-Away drill
Click here for more information and details of the above drills.
3. Small Forward
The Small Forward is usually the shorter of the two forwards on the team but plays the most versatile role out of the main five positions.
He must have enough height and the ability to play on the inside as well as agility to play on the outside, similar to a shooting guard. Small Forwards are usually the second or third best shooters on the team and should be able to do a little bit of everything on the court.
Developing a Small Forward’s skills:
Ball Handling
Shooting
Passing
Creating Space
Post Up game
Defense
Pick & Roll defense
Dribble moves
Finishing
Setting screens
Notable Small Forwards: Lebron James, Kevin Durant, Kawhi Leonard
4. Shooting Guard
Potentially the shortest player on the team, the Shooting Guard is the team’s best outside shooter. Besides being able to shoot well, the Shooting Guard needs to be good at dribbling fast, passing and having court vision by seeing the court.
He is also responsible for driving the ball down the court and setting up offensive plays.
A good Shooting Guard will be a threat to his opponent as he’s able to score from anywhere on the court.
7 habits of successful shooting guards:
Know where you are best
Get good at the opposite
Fast food theory
Master the mid-range
Learn how to read space
Learn to score without dribbling
Simplify your shot
Notable Shooting Guards: James Harden, Klay Thompson, Bradley Beal
5. Point Guard
The Point Guard is usually the shortest but the best ball handler on the team. Also known as the ‘coach on the floor’ or the ‘floor general’, a point guard is responsible for directing plays.
He needs to have good court vision to create open shots for the receivers as well as drive the ball down the court and initiate offensive plays.
Point Guards need to have an excellent long-distance shooting, though it’s not quite as crucial as for shooting guards, some point guards take as many shots as shooting guards.
The 6-week Point Guard workout:
Monday: Upper Body Lift No. 1 and Conditioning
Tuesday: Agilities and Lower Body Lift No. 1
Wednesday: Off
Thursday: Upper Body Lift No. 2 and Conditioning
Friday: Agilities and Lower Body Lift No. 2
Notable Point Guards: Stephen Curry, Russell Westbrook, Chris Paul
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Are you a parent looking to have your child pick up the sport of basketball? Whether to give your child an introduction to this fun team sport or raising his/her skill level up a notch, the ActiveSG Basketball Academy is designed to do just that.
Our qualified coaches from the top level of the game in Singapore will give your child a sound grounding in the fundamentals. While more advanced players can look forward to a pathway to expand their game. To find out more details or to register, visit this link here.
Basketball: Find your position
In basketball, you have more chances to score... if you play center. No so clear? It's normal. To clarify the 5 possible positions on a basketball team, here are a few explanations.
Do you want to know what position corresponds to your body type and abilities? Here you go!
Time for a bit of strategy? We'll start by describing the positions in a classic lineup.
First clue: basketball is played 5 against 5, and you can choose between… 5 positions on the court.
Second clue: your position depends largely on your body type and your physical and technical abilities.
What's more, the numbers are in the right order, from smallest to largest. And since basketball was born in Massachusetts, in the United States, all the terms are in English. If you think small ball is for small players, here is an old school lineup:
Position 1: Point Guard.
If you still have some energy after your warm-up, you'll have an idea: you will lead the game.
To begin with, you are often the smallest person on the court, whether in weight or height. Why? Because you need to handle the ball and the play. Your ability to dribble and pass, and your vision of the game, allow you to create the game with discernment for yourself and your teammates. When you're the first point of contact for the coach on the court, it's better not to ruin the scorecard.
Having a voice is also a bonus: it's a position where you need to act as a boss on the court and guide your teammates.
there are a few styles for position 1: scoring 3-pointers, moving forward, creating the game with your dribbling skills, managing play, and decisive passing... it all depends on your skills and the needs of your team. In any case, you are expected to make good choices of shots and have a good ratio of completed passes to ball losses.
Your role is often the least showy on the court. Not as versatile as the other positions on this side of the court given your size, your responsibilities are again collective: guiding your teammates, communicating, and organising defence. Individually, the strong point on defence is interceptions, which always involve taking a risk.
Position 2: Shooting Guard.
With the point guard, you are the other half of the rear base. (To be accurate, you would talk about a rear leader and a rear shooter).
With a larger and more substantial build than your alter ego who leads play, you still need to share some of their dribbling and passing skills in order to move the ball forward and manage/create play.
And your own skills? Agility, speed, or technique, it's your choice (and the more, the better).
On offence,
you'll often be asked to show yourself: shooting three-pointers or mid-distance with your shooting skills, playing on your own to create opportunities thanks to your dribbles, moving quickly and explosively towards the net… You see, the guard is often seen as a trigger, able to attack unrelentingly.
And can I defend too?
You can defend: depending on your physical or athletic abilities, you could be asked to lock up the opposing point guard thanks to your size advantage, or to try and bother the forward with your speed.
Position 4: Power Forward.
As it happens, stronger compared to your teammate, the small forward. With the center, you are one of the team's 2 inside players. And often, you are physically a bit smaller than position 5, or in any case, more agile.
In addition to calling the shots in the key thanks to your sense of placement and stature, you're increasingly asked to be able to leave and play outside of the key, to make room for the center. And that works out nicely, since on both offence and defence, your role is as the hub.
Playing low (back to the basket, in the key) to score under the rim or get the ball out, agility at mid-distance, and why not some 3-pointers, with as many rebounds, blocks, and defensive assists as possible.
You've got it: you're both a defensive anchor to stabilise your team and a Swiss army knife on offence. Basically, a focal point. And one of your specialities is combining forces with your guard using your screens.
How does that work? You set a screen for your guard, then you move towards the basket to receive the ball close to the hoop (pick and roll), or you move out to receive the ball and shoot a 3-pointer (pick and pop).
Position 5: Center.
We'll finish with the center, often the largest on the court. Formerly the most emblematic position, when basketball was above all a sport for tall people, and now a rare breed on the courts.
But there is still room for you on a team, even if just for the jump ball at the start of a game. What about the rest? You play in the key. Playing low (back to the basket, near the hoop) or high (facing the basket, at the top of the key), you are the one who plays closest to the basket. Hence the name "center": you often start your offence with your back to the basket, to see the game.
| And if on offence you aren't keen on footwork, feinting and playing low, you can use your body to multiply pick and rolls with your guards. In any case, you are expected to make good work of the opponent's key. And in your key?
On defence, you are expected to block, intimidate, protect the basket, rebound and rebound assists (screens to contain your opponent and let your teammates get the rebound). Clearly, you are the defensive soul of your team. And since the role of center is often one of necessity, you can also use your dominant stature to set screens and make room for your teammates. A tank with the footwork of a gymnast, or player in the shadows who helps your teammates shine: the choice is yours. But one thing doesn't change: your home is in the key!
Varying basketball positions
Those were the 5 classic basketball positions. But now that you can see a little more clearly into the coach's playbook, a few things become obvious. In the first place, you might not fit neatly into one position. Especially in a sport like basketball, where substitutions are common during a game.
Since there is a high probability of playing in several different positions during a game or a season, here are some alternative positions and profiles.
We're still all about versatility. If your shooting, body type, or defensive game makes you able to switch between positions 2 and 3, you could be a swingman. On the agenda: dribbling and passing like a guard, defending like a forward, and excellent shooting abilities. This is also called a wing or a guard-forward.
Combo guard:
Combo for combination. To make it easy, you have the body of a position 1 but the offensive game of position 2. Modern basketball is more and more about offensive play or 3-pointers, so there are more systems of play with 2 point guards or 2 guards at the same time.
Swingman:
We're still all about versatility. If your shooting, body type, or defensive game makes you able to switch between positions 2 and 3, you could be a swingman. On the agenda: dribbling and passing like a guard, defending like a forward, and excellent shooting abilities. This is also called a wing or a guard-forward.
Cornerman:
If you have no preference between the 2 forward positions (small forward and power forward), you could be a cornerman. In general, this means that your body type allows you to play and defend from both positions, and that you are just as comfortable shooting from far away as from the low post area.
Big man:
Is the key your thing, no matter the position? You might be a big man, able to switch between the role of center and power forward depending on the needs of your team. We also refer to inside players when talking about the 2 big positions, where play focuses on rebounds, screens, blocks, low post, pick and roll. .. essentially, play in the key.
One more for the road? Much more rare, you'll sometimes hear about the point forward. If you have the body to defend like a position 5, but are able to play offensively from the high post area (top of the key, facing the basket) and direct play, you will be many of your opponents' worst nightmare.
Basic positions of players in the basketball team
Basketball is a team sport in which everything depends on the unique abilities of each of the team members. And while the players on today's basketball teams are multifunctional and can substitute for each other to a greater or lesser extent, each of them has a role to play.
In this article, we'll talk about the five traditional roles in basketball without which no game will take place. Why know this? To understand how the team is initially built and, accordingly, how the game itself works.
Knowing your position in the team, you will be able to successfully lead your team to victory! For fans, this knowledge will help to better analyze the course of the game and assess the complexity of each movement on the field.
So, here are the roles that will be discussed:
point guard
Attacking defender
small forward
Power forward
Center
The point guard is usually the shortest player on the team, but has highly developed ball handling skills and a high basketball IQ. Such players are usually responsible for dribbling the ball around the field. They are behind the fact that the attack was built taking into account the weaknesses and strengths of the enemy. It is no coincidence that the point guard is often referred to as the outfield general or coach on the court.
On defense, these players are responsible for holding back the other team's point guard, and their ability to analyze, predict, and disrupt the opponent's strategy is critical to the outcome of the game. Therefore, it is important that the rest of the team listens to the point guard's recommendations, and that he himself is good at communicating with others.
Attacker is the position of a player interchangeable with the point guard role as their roles are similar. However, unlike the point guard, who focuses more on building up the attack, the offensive player's goal is to score from anywhere on the court. Because of this, many offensive tactics are centered around defender throws.
This position is more focused on the offensive, and such a player implements defensive tactics around the weakest member of the opposing team. Attackers may also assist the point guard in ball play if the point guard is heavily guarded.
The small forward is the most versatile player on the team both offensively and defensively. This is due to the fact that they are usually slightly smaller than the power forward and center in height and build, but have the accuracy, ball control and basketball IQ of defensemen.
These players usually play near the edges of the three-point arc, as there is relative freedom of movement and a shot can be made from there. Small forwards usually block the best player on the opposing team because they have the ability to reach and block the shot, they have the weight to push the opponent away, and they are endowed with the speed and agility of the defenders.
The power forward is usually the second tallest player on the team and plays near the free throw circle. This player is responsible for blocking the opponent; it depends on him whether the offensive will be successful. Because the power forward plays such an important role in offense, he also needs to be able to accurately shoot the ball from medium range to score if the ball is passed to him after a screen by a defender.
In addition, the power forward is often responsible for holding the ball, allowing stronger team members to advance. With defensive tactics, such players take on the protection and blocking of those opponent's shots that the center cannot reach.
The center is the tallest and heaviest player on the team, playing under the basket. Posts dominate with weight and strength, using height and jump to get the ball over the heads of shorter players. Such players also block the opponent near the edge of the field to give space for a defender or small forward to shoot.
Traditionally, centers have not been able to shoot with high accuracy, but today everything is different: centers at least know how to make medium-range shots, and some are capable of three-point shots. Such centers are called "stretch 5".
Do you remember all the roles? Try to put them into practice: while watching the game or honing your own skills on the court!
Positions in basketball, their meanings and placement on the playing field
Basketball has always been and will always be a team sport. Such a game depends on the uniqueness and abilities of each. Despite the fact that modern teams are distinguished by the multifunctionality of each of their members and are able to replace each other to some extent, each of them has its own position in basketball and its significance. The amateur sport of this sport has five roles, and the professional one has ten. Therefore, if you plan to start playing, then it is simply necessary to get acquainted with the basic description of the roles of the players.
The versatility of sport predetermines its success. Such athletes bring a lot of benefits to the team as a whole than players with a narrow specialization. But it is important for a coach to understand that everyone has their own strengths that need to be used and developed.
How many people are playing?
There are only five positions of players in basketball. They are also called field. Usually, two teams must enter the court. The rest are considered as reserve players (no more than seven people for one team). There are twelve athletes in total in a game, substitutions during the last one are not limited. In order for the main participant to become a substitute, the second must be invited by the judge.
What are the roles of the players?
The game is considered to be a team game - here each participant is equally invested in the result, which will be the result. In other words, thanks to the formation in basketball on the court, everyone has their own role, according to which tasks are determined.
At the moment there are no rules in force that would describe exactly the presence of all roles, the location of each player and with whom he must play. All information is conditional, therefore, the coach decides which tactics and arrangement to choose, depending on the team performers and the opponent. However, there are a few basic positions that are most commonly seen at the present time.
Point guard
"PG position" in basketball refers to the shortest player with the highest ball handling and IQ in the sport. The task of such a participant is to be responsible throughout the entire gameplay for dribbling the ball across the field. He also needs to be careful to build an attack, taking into account the advantages and disadvantages of the enemy. At the time of defense, the first number bears a certain responsibility - it holds back the point guard of the second team. All this thanks to the ability to analyze and prevent the implementation of the strategic plan of the enemy.
It is no coincidence that PG in basketball is called the general of the playing field. In many ways, it is he who determines the outcome of the entire game, so it is important that the team listens. Yes, and the first number should be able to communicate well with others.
His characteristic features are expressed in:
free possession of the ball;
high speed;
dexterity in working with the ring;
good jumping ability.
Earlier, when the game was still not so developed, the declarer performed combinations only at the beginning of the attack.
Shooting guard
The role of the attacking or Shooting Guard in basketball is very similar to the previous one. The roles are interchangeable. But in the first case, the participant should not be engaged in building attacking strategies. His main goal is to score from anywhere on the playing court. This allows every offensive tactic to focus on the defender's roll. A basketball player in this role is always popular, as he is often the most capable player in the league or the leader of his team. It is thanks to him that the audience enjoys exciting moments. Such participants in basketball are also called scorers, as they bring points well for the whole team and work for defense.
Usually this basketball player is focused on the offensive, but if defense is required, he carries it out near the weakest of the opponents or helps the point guard.
The basketball player is strong in:
maximum hit accuracy. This is what most often leads to the victory of the entire squad.
feed rate;
dribbling;
navigation.
Light forward
The role has another name - the third number. The main goal of Small Forward in basketball is to score points. Compared to defenders, attacking players are taller, which means they block the shot better. The third numbers can boast of a good hit in the ring from almost every distance. The area on the court where they play is called the three-point arc. The small forward is able to block one of the best players of the second team, as he easily reaches out and does not allow the opponent to make a throw. In addition, its weight allows you to push away a member of the opposite composition. They also differ in agility and speed.
Power Forward
The second tallest member of the team plays the role of Power Forward in modern basketball. He usually plays around the free throw circle. The main goal of the fourth number is the successful blocking of an incoming opponent. So he does not allow the latter to successfully attack. The power forward is also strong offensively, as he accurately hits the ball into the basket from medium distance when it is passed by the defender. In defense, he must be able to block an opponent's shot, which is difficult for the center to reach.
We also recommend reading: How useful is basketball for adults?
The basketball offensive player must also hold the ball so that the stronger ones can push forward.
Distinctive features are expressed in:
the ability to block any throws and passes;
making throws from a certain distance;
holding a basketball.
Center
The player of this basketball role plays on the field under the hoop. If you look at all the participants, you will definitely not confuse him with anyone - he will be the tallest. Also, such an athlete has athletic data and high mobility.
In the classic version, the fifth number in basketball could not boast of good throw accuracy, but now a lot has changed. Now he is able to shoot accurately from medium range with ease, and even score a three-pointer, which is why the second name of the center is “stretch 5”.
We also recommend reading: "Learning to shoot a three-pointer. "
At the end of the game, a certain strategy is usually used - it is necessary to foul on number 5 so that he misses from a free kick.
The ball must then go to the opponent. Such a strategy in basketball is directed against the spreaders. The idea of its origin arose as an option to resist the legend of this sport named Shaquille O'Neal. This leader under the basket was considered almost as useless as a free-throw basketball player.
In general, number fives are considered valuable shots for any sports club. But usually basketball players with such a set of skills and abilities come across very rarely.
What indicators do positions depend on?
There are certain parameters that help distribute the roles in basketball. The position directly depends on the following indicators:
Physical data. We are talking about height, weight and length of arms / legs.
Technical development. Here the strength and height of the jump is important, as well as the speed and ability to attack / defend.
1 and Conditioning 
While more advanced players can look forward to a pathway to expand their game. To find out more details or to register, visit this link here. 
If you think small ball is for small players, here is an old school lineup:
In any case, you are expected to make good choices of shots and have a good ratio of completed passes to ball losses.
Hence the name "center": you often start your offence with your back to the basket, to see the game.
But now that you can see a little more clearly into the coach's playbook, a few things become obvious. In the first place, you might not fit neatly into one position. Especially in a sport like basketball, where substitutions are common during a game.
.. essentially, play in the key.
Small forwards usually block the best player on the opposing team because they have the ability to reach and block the shot, they have the weight to push the opponent away, and they are endowed with the speed and agility of the defenders. 
Posts dominate with weight and strength, using height and jump to get the ball over the heads of shorter players. Such players also block the opponent near the edge of the field to give space for a defender or small forward to shoot. 
The amateur sport of this sport has five roles, and the professional one has ten. Therefore, if you plan to start playing, then it is simply necessary to get acquainted with the basic description of the roles of the players. 
In other words, thanks to the formation in basketball on the court, everyone has their own role, according to which tasks are determined. 
All this thanks to the ability to analyze and prevent the implementation of the strategic plan of the enemy. 
His main goal is to score from anywhere on the playing court. This allows every offensive tactic to focus on the defender's roll. A basketball player in this role is always popular, as he is often the most capable player in the league or the leader of his team. It is thanks to him that the audience enjoys exciting moments. Such participants in basketball are also called scorers, as they bring points well for the whole team and work for defense. 
Compared to defenders, attacking players are taller, which means they block the shot better. The third numbers can boast of a good hit in the ring from almost every distance. The area on the court where they play is called the three-point arc. The small forward is able to block one of the best players of the second team, as he easily reaches out and does not allow the opponent to make a throw. In addition, its weight allows you to push away a member of the opposite composition. They also differ in agility and speed. 
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