Basketball position

The five basketball positions normally employed by organized basketball teams are the point guard (PG or 1), the shooting guard (SG or 2), the small forward (SF or 3), the power forward (PF or 4), and the center (C or 5). While these position names are still used, most modern teams use a point guard, two wings, and two post players, or use no specific positions at all. The rules of basketball do not mandate them, and they are sometimes not used. Indeed, it could be said that the designation of positions is done more to satisfy broadcasters and fans than for coaches or players, and many top coaches, including Olympic coach Mike Krzyzewski choose to ignore positions altogether.

Typically, the point guard is the leader of the team when on the court. This position requires substantial ball handling skills and the ability to facilitate the team during a play. The shooting guard, as the name implies, is often the best shooter. They are probably capable of shooting accurately from longer distances. Generally, they also have good ball-handling skills. The small forward often has an aggressive approach to the basket when handling the ball. The power forward and the center are usually called "low post" players, who play with their back to the basket, often acting as their team's primary rebounder or shot blocker, or receiving passes to take inside shots. Of the two, the center is typically the larger of the two.

Historically, only three positions were recognized (two guards, two forwards and one center) based on where they played on the court: guards generally played outside and away from the hoop, forwards played outside and near the baseline, with the center usually positioned in the key. During the 1980s, as team strategy evolved, more specialized roles developed, resulting in the five position designations utilized today. Team strategy and available personnel, however, still dictates the positions used by a particular team. For example, the Dribble drive motion offense and the Princeton offense utilize four interchangeable guards and one center. Other combinations are also prevalent.

Besides the five basic positions, some teams utilize non-standard or hybrid positions, such as Point forward, a hybrid of a power forward and a point guard, swingman (hybrid small forward/shooting guard), or the Big (hybrid power forward/center).

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