Offense7U+
5 out motion offense
The 5 out motion offense puts all five players outside the 3-point line and runs on a few simple rules: pass, cut to the basket, and fill the open spot.
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Basketball positions explained
There are five positions in basketball: point guard (1), shooting guard (2), small forward (3), power forward (4) and center (5). Tap a number on the diagram to see where each one plays and what they do.
Basketball positions diagram
1
Point guard
Top of the keyWhat they do
Brings the ball up the court, calls the play and makes the first pass. Usually the team's best ball handler and passer.
Key skills
- Ball handling with both hands
- Seeing the whole floor
- Talking to teammates
Coaching tip
Give every player a turn bringing the ball up in practice. It builds ball handling across the whole team.
The basics
What are the 5 positions in basketball?
The five basketball positions are usually grouped as guards (1 and 2), forwards (3 and 4) and the center (5). Guards handle the ball and shoot from the outside. Forwards play on the wings and near the basket. The center plays closest to the basket on both ends of the floor.
Coaches use the numbers to call plays and set up the floor. When a coach says "4 sets the screen," every player knows who moves. The numbers also make it easy to draw plays, which is why diagrams label players 1 through 5.
Point guard (1)
Brings the ball up the court, calls the play and makes the first pass. Usually the team's best ball handler and passer. Key skills: ball handling with both hands, seeing the whole floor, talking to teammates.
Shooting guard (2)
Spaces the floor on the wing, shoots from the outside and cuts to the basket when their defender looks away. Key skills: catch-and-shoot, moving without the ball, guarding the other team's guards.
Small forward (3)
Drives, cuts, rebounds and usually guards the other team's best wing player. Often the most versatile player on the floor. Key skills: driving to the basket, rebounding from the wing, guarding bigger and smaller players.
Power forward (4)
Sets screens, rebounds and scores close to the basket. Steps out to the elbow to open up the lane. Key skills: setting solid screens, rebounding, finishing near the basket.
Center (5)
Protects the basket on defense, posts up for close shots and boxes out on every shot. Usually one of the tallest players. Key skills: boxing out, blocking and changing shots, posting up.
If you are comparing players for those roles, use the basketball evaluation form to record the same skills for everyone. For tryouts with several coaches, Bravara's player evaluation software combines their ratings for review.
Positions in youth basketball
Many youth coaches run a 5-out motion offense, where players fill open spots around the three-point line instead of standing in fixed positions. The position numbers still help kids know where to stand and who to screen for. Moving players through every spot helps them learn the whole game.
| Position | Number | Where they play | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Point guard | 1 (PG) | Top of the key | Brings the ball up the court, calls the play and makes the first pass. |
| Shooting guard | 2 (SG) | Right wing | Spaces the floor on the wing, shoots from the outside and cuts to the basket when their defender looks away.. |
| Small forward | 3 (SF) | Left wing | Drives, cuts, rebounds and usually guards the other team's best wing player. |
| Power forward | 4 (PF) | Left block to the elbow | Sets screens, rebounds and scores close to the basket. |
| Center | 5 (C) | Near the basket | Protects the basket on defense, posts up for close shots and boxes out on every shot. |
Questions
Basketball positions FAQ
What are the 5 positions in basketball?
Point guard (1), shooting guard (2), small forward (3), power forward (4) and center (5). The 1 and 2 are the guards, the 3 and 4 are the forwards, and the 5 is the center.
What position is 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 in basketball?
1 is the point guard, 2 is the shooting guard, 3 is the small forward, 4 is the power forward and 5 is the center. Coaches use the numbers to call plays and tell players where to stand.
What does a point guard do?
The point guard brings the ball up the court, runs the offense and is usually the team's best passer and ball handler. On defense, they pick up the other team's point guard.
What is the difference between a power forward and a center?
Both play near the basket. The center usually plays closest to the rim and protects it on defense. The power forward plays a little farther out, sets screens, steps out to the elbow and rebounds from the side.
What position should my child play in youth basketball?
Younger players should try every position. Most coaches move kids around until middle school so they all learn to dribble, pass, shoot and defend before settling into a spot.
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