Basketball Positions

Center

The center is essentially the person who is everywhere. They play generally closest to the basket on both offense and defense, getting up as high as possible for rebounds for offense. For defense, they need to block shots, thus again getting as high as possible.

Having physical strength and core holds a key role in the center's influence of the game, as getting up to the net is not an easy feat for a lanky, skinny person in a crowd of other players.

Power Forward

The power forward is similar to the center in regards to physical attributes, however they are usually somewhat faster and fitter. They must be accustomed to physical play as most of their work takes place inside, meaning a lot of banging and shoving in their gameplay. Additionally, the power forward is expected to have a higher capability of hitting shots than the center.

Small Forward

Usually shorter than the power forward, a small forward possesses similar skills of physical and speed capabilities as the power forward, they are however more capable of playing inside to do center type things, as well as guard type things. Usually the 2nd best outside shooter of the 5 players, the small forward also needs to be an all purpose defender.

Shooting Guard

The shooting guard is, obviously, the player that takes the most shots. He needs to be a dangerous outside shooter, including from three point range.

It is necessary for the shooting guard to have top ball coordination and passing skills, as well as moving without the ball and getting out in the open away from defense.

Point Guard

The point guard handles the ball the most of any player on the team, generally bringing the ball down the court and initiating the offensive plays. As such, he needs to be the best in most qualities of the team.

Height is not an important factor in the role of point guard, as much as intelligence and court vision is. This is because they are constantly coordinating all 5 players on offense to make plays.

Some point guards are offensive weapons comparable to shooting guards and take plenty of shots themselves. Others see their main role as passing to set up shots.

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