Positions in basketball
 Even though each component of a basketball team covers a highly specific position, according to technical qualities and skills, great cooperation among the various elements is required. The team must operate as a single body and for this purpose it is opportune to stimulate and encourage relationships among its components. In the initial preparatory phase, specialization work will be neglected in favor of an adequate evolution of the corporeal scheme.
Only during the post-pubescent period (around 15-16 years) coinciding with the last year of the junior category, it will be opportune to specialize the players in a specific position. The following is an in-depth look at the positions in basketball.
Guards
This position is characterized by technical skill, speed and agility. Physically, the players of this position are above all not very tall. There are three different ways of playing this position:
- point guard: this player has a great vision of the game, organizes the offense and defense during the game, also thanks to knowing his or her teammates and their talents. The point guard must discover the defense’s weak points and exploit them. Even though he or she does not have to be an excellent shooter, from the technical point of view the point guard is an excellent dribbler and is very familiar with passing techniques;
- shooting guard: shooting is the fundamental skill mastered by the shooting guard. He or she is very reactive and fast, rapid in counter-attacks and one-to-one. A great elevation ability makes up for a not always considerable stature. The shooting guard can be very muscular and skilled at shooting (even if less endowed from a physical point of view);
- center: a position in between the other two, very inclined to score points during the game.
Forwards
This position is defined in this way due to its starting position, near the two sides of the court, near the basket. The following positions can be distinguished:
- the small forward: very strong from the physical point of view, which will be exploited to play under the basket. Almost always, the price to pay for his or her physical qualities will be a lack of agility. Technical qualities are mainly good shooting and ball handling skills;
- the power forward: or pivot forward is more heavily built compared to the small forward and plays very close to the basket, he or she is a good rebounder, able with both the front and back o the basket in the game.
Pivot or center
This position is the best rebounder on the team, very tall, powerful and able to intervene in the best ways on the ball. However, his or her physical characteristics make them a bit slow. Prefers playing with shoulders toward the basket and is a good scorer, if not the best.
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