Basketball Positions and What They Do

Basketball is a game which requires only 5 players. Which is pretty much less as compared to a few other games. Sometimes, these players are called by their numbers rather than their positions. The aim of each team in basketball is to score as many points by placing the ball in a hoop attached high on a bar as possible in the given time limit. Now just as the game has evolved and developed all through the years, the players and their functions have been slightly altered.

Various Basketball Positions

Point Guard
The point guard, who is number 1, is what they call the floor general of a team. His chief task is in the attacking plan, where he handles and passes the ball to teammates. As compared to the other players in the team, point guard is the smallest player. A point guard has a very important responsibility of creating scoring chances for his team. All these things make it necessary for a point guard to be agile and full of speed in his movements. Most of the time he is the captain of the team. They also need to speak to the officials for the interpretations of the rules.

Shooting Guard
"Mirror on the wall who is the best shooter of them all?" Shooting guard of course! Undoubtedly, the best shooter on the court for a team is the shooting guard. He is known as '2'. criteria of an ace shooter is that he should be able to hit 20-foot jump shots at a regular basis. Creating their own shots off the dribble is one of the major functions of shooting guards, that is why they also have to be good at ball handling. These players are in the height range of 6 feet 3 to 6 feet 8 inches and are more athletic as compared to point guards. They also have to be equally skilled in passing, although that is not their main priority. Their priority is to score points for the team. This is one of the extremely crucial positions in basketball.

These were the back court or the guard positions on the court. Here are the ones in the front court.

Small forward
If considered positions in basketball as per the numbers, the small forward is the number 3. A small forward is leaner, shorter and quicker and is the most versatile amongst the 5 positions. The reason? The nature of their role which is very close to that of the power forward in some cases, whereas in some cases he dons the role of a shooting guard. Small guards are accountable for scoring points and as secondary rebounders, they are close at the heels of power forwards and centers. But having said that, they also have to shoulder the responsibility of the defense of the team.

Power Forward
Labeled as position number 4, the functions of a power forward and the Center are pretty similar. In an offensive, they play with their backs to the basket and they place themselves under the basket in a zone defense or against the opposite team's forward, in man to man defense. These again are very versatile in the course of a game, but they are mostly known for their mid range jumper.

Center
The number 5 in the line up, the Center is also referred as a 'pivot'. He plays close to the baseline and the basket. The Center is the most tallest player in the team. This player scores near the basket, in the key. The physique and skill (standing at 6 feet 8 or 7 feet, I think anyone would be intimidated!) of this player are used to score. These players are good rebound receivers too.

These were the positions in basketball. What makes this interesting is all of them are unique in their own way. With their special characteristics they contribute to the team as a whole, just like our 5 fingers! You lose one and you lose it all!