Basketball Positions

The positions and roles that are taken by the players in basketball are not specified in the laws of or rules of the game whatsoever and have just evolved as the game has evolved. During the early years the positions were less defined than today, but since the 1980s the positions on the court and the different abilities needed to play them have become more defined.

The point guard is usually the speediest player on the team and he needs organising ability as he is in charge of getting the offence in order and by controlling the ball and making sure it gets to the right player at the right time, basically he's the on-field general and could be compared the quarterback in American Football. At the NBA level, most point guards are 6 feet to 6 feet 4 inches tall. Those looking at the basketball betting odds should remember this.

The backcourt is completed by the number "2" or shooting guard he is generally the team's best shooter and is typically a top-class long from long range. Besides being able to shoot the ball, shooting guards tend to have good ball-handling skills and the ability to drive the ball to the net, often creating their own shots off the dribble. They also have the ability to be able to interchange with the point guard and direct traffic on occasions.

The frontcourt is where the forwards and center play; the forwards are split into a small forward and a power forward. 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 power forward plays a lot of the time on offence with his back to the basket and on defence he will play under the basket in a zone defence or marking the opposing power forward in a man-to-man defence. People following the following the basketball betting odds need to bear this in mind.

The final position of the five men on the court at any one time is the center and is also known as the pivot and this position is usually the preserve of the tallest man on the team. Centers contribute to the team by using their physique and skill to score close to the basket, as well as gathering rebounds, contesting shots and setting screens on plays.

The positions described are the ones that are taken up in a standard formation but some teams will make those flexible and use a three guard defence replacing the center with a third guard.