Bonn Remix: Basketball Position Selection

Bonn Remix in Frankfurt, Germany

The three basketball positions normally employed by organized basketball teams are guard, forward, and center. More specifically, they can be classified into the five positions: point guard, shooting guard, forward, power forward, and center. The rules of basketball do not mandate them, and in informal games they are sometimes not used. They are grouped into two conceptual units: the backcourt and frontcourt.

Bonn Remix with Eric Zulueta for round-robin.

Five Basketball Positions:

Point guard (PG), also called the play maker or "the ball-handler", is one of the standard positions in a regulation basketball game. A point guard has perhaps the most specialized role of any position – essentially, they are expected to run the team's offense by controlling the ball and making sure that it gets to the right players at the right time. Above all, the point guard must totally understand and accept his or her coach's game plan; in this way, the position can be compared to a quarterback in American football.

Phil Gonzales on round-robin.

Sherwin Barrientos on round-robin.

The shooting guard (SG), also known as the two or off guard, is one of five traditional positions on a basketball team. Players of the position are often shorter, leaner, and quicker than forwards. A shooting guard's main objective is to score points for his team. Some teams ask their shooting guards to bring up the ball as well; these players are known colloquially as combo guards. Dwyane Wade, for example, is a shooting guard who is as good a playmaker as he is a scorer; other examples of combo guards are Jamal Crawford of the Atlanta Hawks, Allen Iverson, and Jason Terry. A player who can switch between playing shooting guard and small forward is known as a swingman.

Phil Gonzales on the move.

Notable shooting guards include current NBA players Ray Allen, Manu Ginóbili, Vince Carter, Joe Johnson, Kobe Bryant, Tracy McGrady, Richard "Rip" Hamilton, Michael Redd,Brandon Roy, and former NBA stars Michael Jordan, Clyde Drexler, Sam Jones, Earl Monroe, Reggie Miller, Penny Hardaway, Jerry West and John Havlicek.

Peejay Barrientos for a lay-up.

The (small) forward, also known as the "3", is typically somewhat shorter, quicker and leaner than power forwards and centers. Thus, in the NBA, small forwards range from 6 feet 5 inches (1.96 m) to 6 feet 11 inches (2.11 m). The small forward position is considered to be perhaps the most versatile of the main five basketball positions, due to the nature of its role, which is sometimes similar to that of a power forward, and other times more resembles the role of a shooting guard. The small forward and shooting guard positions are often interchangeable.

Bonn Remix in action.

Power forward is a position in the sport of basketball. The position is referred to in playbook terms as the four position and is commonly abbreviated "PF". It has also been referred to as the "post" position. Power forwards play a role similar to that of center in what is called the "post" or "low blocks". They typically play offensively with their backs to the basket and position themselves defensively under the basket in a zone defense or against the opposing power forward in man-to-man defense. The power forward position entails a variety of responsibilities. Many power forwards are noted for their mid-range jump-shot, and several players have become very accurate from 12 to 18 feet (3.7 to 5.5 m). These skills are more typically exhibited in the European style of play.

Robin Perez waiting for the ball.

The center, colloquially known as the five or the pivot, is one of the standard positions in a regulation basketball game. The center is normally the tallest player on the team, and often has a great deal of strength and body mass as well. A typical NBA center is 6'10" (2.08 m) or taller.

Aaron Salangsang as one of the team's Center.

In many cases, the center's primary role is to use his or her size to score and defend from a position close to the basket. A center who possesses size along with athleticism and skill constitutes an unparalleled asset for a team. The centers are also generally the players who are chosen to take jump balls.

Aaron Salansang in action.

Want to make a good team? Then know your positions and make sure you have a substitute for each.