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Playing Positions
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Point Guard - #1 |
This player may be the smallest
in stature, but is the typically
the fastest. More importantly,
is the team's leader and play
maker.
The PG is expected to run the
team's offence by controlling
the ball and making sure that it
gets to the right players at the
right time. The point guard is
most valuable if able to see the
weak side of the team and
exploit it. For this reason,
passing skills and court vision
are essential; great point
guards are often evaluated more
on their assist totals than on
their scoring.
To do all of the above, Point
guards must display leadership
on the floor. A true point
guard's job is to create
instances that lead to a basket
for the team; this includes
passing, but also running the
offence: setting up plays on the
court, getting the ball to the
team mate that he feels is in
the best position to score, and
also dictating the tempo of the
game.
The styles with which point
guards do their job vary widely
from player to player. Quickness
is often cited as a necessity
for the position, but this is
not necessarily true. The
important thing for point guards
is to be able to pass and
dribble the ball frequently
without committing turnovers,
and to keep the team under
control at all times.
The point guard is also the
first to head back to the
defence when the offence breaks
up. The role is then to halt the
run of play and contain the ball
until the other defenders
recover.
Skills needed:
Dribbling, Lay-up, Reverse
Lay-up, Free Throws, Jump Shot,
Passing, Stealing
Physical requirement:
Agility, Vision
Renowned Point Guards:
John Stockton, Steve Nash, Jason
Kidd, Magic Johnson
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Shooting Guard -
#2 |
The Shooting guard is typically
the finisher of the team. The SG
has to be a good perimeter
shooter and able to handle the
ball adequately. They should
also be very comfortable near
the three point area where lots
of screening and pick and roll,
give and go actions are
happening.
They are often shorter, leaner,
and quicker than forwards, and
are frequently called upon to
create a high volume of shots on
offence and guard the opponent's
best perimeter player on
defence. Shooting guards are
also known as "2 guards" (or
simply "2's"), and "off guards",
since they play off the ball on
offence. Some teams ask their
shooting guards to bring up the
ball as well; these players are
known as "combo guards".
 A
shooting guard should also be a
good ball handler and be able to
pass reasonably well, though
passing is not their main
priority it is often a bonus
since a good shooting guard will
often attract double teams,
shooting guards will often be
the 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.
Skills needed:
Dribbling, Fade-away, Lay-up,
Reverse Lay-up, Free Throws,
Jump Shot, Three Point, Floater
Physical requirements:
Agility, Soft touch
Renowned Shooting Guards:
Michael Jordan, Lebron James,
Kobe Bryant, Tracy McGrady
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Small Forward - #3 |
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A small
forward is the all round player. Versatile at both
inside and outside the perimeter. If inside expects
help, they will move into the post. If outside demands
extra cover, they can handle it well. One of the harder
positions to guard because of their versatility.
Small forwards are typically somewhat shorter, quicker,
and leaner than power forwards and centres, but on
occasions are just as tall. The small forward position
is considered to be perhaps the "do it all" of the main
five basketball positions, due to the nature of its
role. Most current NBA small forwards are between 6'6"
and 6'9" in height.
Small forwards are primarily responsible for scoring
points and also often as secondary or third rebounders
behind the power forwards and centres. Due to its
versatility, the styles with which small forwards amass
their points vary widely, as some small forwards are
very accurate straight up shooters, while others like to
go inside the key. It is a very physicaly demanding
position on both offence and defence, requiring strength
of mind as well as body. One common thread between all
kinds of small forwards is an ability to "get to the
line", that is, to cause opposing players to commit
shooting fouls against them, as fouls are frequently
called on the defence when offensive players "take the
ball strong" to the basket. 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.
Defence is often a major priority for small forwards,
who are often counted on using their athleticism and
size as defensive advantages.
Skills needed:
Dribbling, Change of Pace, Up and Under, Free Throws,
Lay-up, Rebounding, Spin Move
Physical requirements:
Agility, Strength, Height, Footwork
Renowned Small Forwards:
Vince
Carter, Sean Marion, Charles Barkley, Dirk Nowitzki
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Power Forward - #4 |
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An offensive
powerhouse and vicious rebounder. They should display a
certain degree of agility near the key and be able to
make short jumpers when the opportunity arises. Much
like the centre, they should be able to finish strong;
close to the hoop.
Power forwards play a role similar to that of centres.
They play offensively with their back to the basket on
offence and position themselves defensively under the
basket in a zone defence or against the opposing power
forward on defence in man to man defence.
Typically, a power forward is one of the larger players
on the court, not as tall as the centre but more
muscular. They are usually expected to be aggressive
when pursuing rebounds and score most of their points in
the low post, as opposed to taking jump shots from
further away. Power forwards can be imposing presences
on defence, but they usually defer to
 the
centre in terms of blocking shots and general
intimidation.
Skills needed:
Hook shot, Lay-up, Rebounding, Power-hop
Physical requirement:
Strength, Height, Footwork, Upper body balance
Renowned Power Forwards:
Kevin Garnet, Ben Wallace, Jermaine O'neal, Amare
Stoudemire, Karl Marlone
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Centre - #5 |
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The centre
is the king of the key. Once near the hoop, their tall
and strong physique should dominate the opposition. The
centre must have a strong pivot foot, to be used after
grabbing rebounds and performing offensive moves. A good
centre must also be able to draw defensive attention and
possess the ability and vision to pass to open team
mates. Perhaps more importantly, they are the last and
strongest line of defence inside the paint. A centre
typically grabs more block shots than anyone else in the
team. In addition, all defensive rebounds are within
their responsibility.
In many cases, the centre's primary role is simply to be
very large, and to use this size to score and defend
from a position close to the basket. A centre who
possesses size along with athleticism and skill
constitutes an unparalleled asset for the team. As a
centre, visits to the free throw line will be frequent,
so a good percentage free throw shot is an
 advantage.
Skills needed:
Hook shoot, Drop Steps, Pivot, Free Throws, Rebounding,
Block Shot
Physical requirements:
Footwork,
Balance, Body Weight, Vision
Renowned Centres:
Shaquille
O'Neal, Yao Ming, Tim Duncan, Hakeem Olajuwon, Patrick
Ewing, David Robinson
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(c) Game Time
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