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CHAPTER THREE

Playing Positions

Point Guard

The point guard is the floor leader on offence. He controls the tempo of the attack and has a good understanding of his teammates, in terms of their strengths and roles. The point guard is usually the quickest player in the team with the best ball handling skills, great peripheral vision and greater shooting range. When defending, the point guard must be able to slow down the opponent’s team point guard.

Shooting Guard

A shooting guard must be a good shooter from short and long range, and fastbreaks. In addition, the shooting guard should be able to help the point guard in ball control at times and pass the ball to teammate at the low post. When defending, the shooting guard will guard the best perimeter player of the attacking team.

Small Forward

The small forward is usually the fittest player in the team who operate on wings and baseline areas as well as in the blocks or near the restricted area for rebounding (recover ball after a missed shot). He is able to shoot from outside, drive the ball into the rim, and fast breaks. When defending, the small forward should be able to guard both big and small players.

Power Forward

The power forward makes big contributions without the ball in his hands, for example, to set up screens, boxes out, rebounding. He should be a good free throw shooter as he will draw a lot of contacts during play.

Centre

The centre is usually the tallest player in the team. The centre will play very close to the basket to best utilise his height for attack and rebound. The centre player is most influential in attaching as well as defending.

Although some players were born to play specific positions, most players develop their skills through training and practice. It is important to build allrounded players rather than to restrict the skills development to player’s position.