Basketball Positions Explained

Informational Video Explaining and Describing the 5 Main Positions in Basketball, as well as a handful of Hybrid Positions too!

[@markgermanos6083]

“Anthony davis when he is healthy”

[@b0r1ng25]

@@thechannel1098 ratio

[@xllisaiah7436]

@@b0r1ng25 ?

[@xllisaiah7436]

@@thechannel1098 God bless

[@b0r1ng25]

@@xllisaiah7436 nobody asked for bible verses

[@xllisaiah7436]

@@b0r1ng25 And?

[@zachdavis7234]

Giannis is great example of a power forward

[@onigiri2032]

He is. He's also the main reason I chose the Bucks as my team

[@AB-sw4kb]

Well, maybe. Giannis is sort of a positionless big. He can handle the ball, score inside, play perimeter defense, help, or be a primary rim protector. I think a better example of a modern 4 would be Al Horford, but he often plays the 5. Most 4s nowadays more closely resemble 3s.

[@Watermelon_Man]

@@AB-sw4kb Most 4s nowadays are 3s that were too slow to guard most other 3s

[@AB-sw4kb]

The NBA isn't the best example of "pure" basketball anymore because the talent and skill level just isn't comparable to traditional basketball anymore

[@freddyhutapea7246]

He power and he forward, hence power forward

[@V-rex346]

Best examples for descriptions in this video PG-Steve Nash SG-Klay Thomson SF-Kawhi Leonard PF-Giannis Antetokunmpo C-Hakeem Olajuwon

[@Crazyknives]

I like this!

[@Robertedwinhouse38]

Cp3 ray Allen Lebron giannis Hakeem is better

[@culo9999]

John Stockton is a textbook PG and Tim Duncan and textbook PF imo.

[@nwakava9558]

Top 5 textbook PG - Isaiah Thomas, John Starks, John Stockton, Steve Nash, Andre Miller

[@nts4906]

Tim Duncan is more of a traditional PF than hyper athletic Giannis

[@Switcheroo1]

James Harden is the best example of a superstar combo guard who experienced a lot of success playing either guard position, blending elements of both

[@billward5558]

Harden just a stand still player a ball hog useless when ball is not in his hand. No defense

[@Serching4JerryGarcia]

Too bad that success doesn’t transfer to the playoffs lmaooo

[@TheBswan]

That's a weird way to spell Steph Curry

[@sesh517]

​@@billward5558Embiid had a 37% usage rate and Harden had a 25% usage rate, yet Harden is the ball hog? You're a casual bro.

[@americandissident9062]

Harden trash

[@duishungry]

Your explanation is the clearest, simplest one I've seen so far! I especially like how you explain the hybrid roles since sometimes I'll see DeRozan marked as a Shooting Guard but other times he'll show as a Small Forward and I never know which it is

[@dusk5121]

Nikola Jokic is changing what it means to be a center. His ball handling and playmaking are insane

[@snowmansportsmedia]

For sure!

[@nwakava9558]

Bill Laimbeer done that already.

[@snowmansportsmedia]

@@nwakava9558 Respectfully, Laimbeer averaged 2.0 assists per game. He and Jokic are not the same

[@stevenmark4407]

@@nwakava9558no bud

[@stevenmark4407]

@@snowmansportsmediatalk to em

[@kevinjohnson4498]

Traditional positions have kind of gone away in recent years as players become more well rounded and diversified in their skill set. I think it can be simplified down to Lead Guard, Wings, and Bigs and then each of those positions can be further stratified by skillset. Lead guards can either be a CP3/Nash true point type or the Steph/Kyrie/Harden combo guard type, but its not based on size. Lebron and Luka are both lead guards despite their size. Wings are mainly 3 and D guys with varying levels of secondary playmaking abilities. Then bigs are mainly screen setters and rim protectors, with varying offensive skillsets. A 5 man lineup has at least one each of lead guard, wing, and big and then the last two positions are mix and match based on the skillset of your personnel. For example with the Nuggets, Jamal Murry is the lead guard, Michael Porter Jr Aaron Gordan and Bruce Brown are wings, and Jokic is the big. They are just a special case becasue Jokic is also the primary playmaker from the elbow, but they have a very well constructed modern basketball team.

[@Cryogenical]

What is a 3 and D?

[@CP0rings33]

@@Cryogenical3 point shooter and defence

[@CP0rings33]

I feel like hasn’t been much separating SGs and SFs besides their height in some cases, the barrier between SF and PF is definitely starting to breakdown as well. I feel like there’s a lot of guys, like PG13 and Kawhi who could realistically play 2-4 and be fine at each position.

[@Bartleby1892]

Watching youtube I felt so nitpicky and negative today, so it feels like a blessing to watch such a flawless, informative and visually appealing video. Thumbs up and thank you!

[@YUNGTRILLL]

Combo guard..my favorite position! I feel like this position is extremely effective in any type of play settling, pick games, real nba games, high school games etc. there are even some who can rebound like a power forward which is good for their ‘position’

[@level1life79]

Point-Center is gonna be the next big position people go for

[@dushandvr5765]

Jokic already is

[@G-o-d-o-t]

You forgot about the position of bench warmer

[@snowmansportsmedia]

Your specialty!

[@takaiyoni7840]

@@snowmansportsmedia it’s mines. ):

[@Bopmyglizz]

@@snowmansportsmedia me personally, would not take that level of disrespect

[@TheDream134]

@@snowmansportsmedia damn

[@snowmansportsmedia]

@@Bopmyglizz Haha for context, he's one of my best friends ;)

[@brookhaven86]

Short and to the point. Thank you!

[@InsensitiveUncle]

Like the pg 😂

[@junior24s67]

@@InsensitiveUncleside-eye

[@e0lhc.chl0e]

@@junior24s67 major side eye

[@snoozeflu]

Thank you for this. Aside from center, i really didn't know much about the differing positions and their roles.

[@aesir748]

Great video! One thing that i think is important to mention is the 4/5 role of being a screener and a roller. Nowadays pick and roll is a given in any offense and a big who is quick to set his feet and put pressure on a lob or a roll pass is a huge part of good bigs

[@christinasargeant6127]

ANTHONY DAVIS WHEN HES HEALTHY HAS ME SCREAMING 5:01

[@jacekiandelgado-zq1sf]

i've been playing basketball for 3 months, i didn't know i was "center" the whole time i was playing, thx for the explanation.

[@bishyeahbish3758]

This, good sir, turned out to be exactly what I was looking for. I get tongue tied and frustrated and then fk the explanation up when I could just have just watched this to find some examples, so, cheers mate, really appreciate how thorough this was, helped me imagine things much better. Thanks again fella 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿👍🏻 God bless

[@claraaa5806]

I have a basketball game tomorrow having no idea what I’m doing so thanks😂

[@josephfrank5224]

It’s a nice video I like the concept of breaking it down for novice. At the end of the day, you play you skill set. Just cause your a power forward doesn’t automatically make you powerful. Just cause you’re a shoointg guard doesn’t make you a lights out shoot. Russell Westbrook is a screener a lot of the time in LA and Houston and he’s a PG. Jokic brings the hall up and is the best passer.

[@geminiman614]

Best explanation I have ever heard. Well done

[@Panda-sn1lg]

0:00 Intro 0:59 Point Guard 2:00 Shooting Guard 3:08 Small Forward 4:11 Power Forward 5:19 Center 6:28 Bonus and Terms

[@theceballosbros2laca163]

Thank you so much for the help that way I could know each basketball position when I’m in the team.

[@Her0the_1]

I remember in 9th grade. We had to do a power point on the medveil ages or whatever. My teacher said I was the few kids that did fine on it. So he made the entire class redo it on something or someone they love. I did mines on basketball. Had 20 slides talking about other stuff and etc. He never let me go tho.

[@mrmivisuals]

Thanks for this video. Really useful, can’t wait to watch the NFL ones as I have no clue about that.

[@emintd21]

As a fan who watches nba over 20 years now i don’t know why i watched this video. Great video anyway.

[@cvbzizou]

Great education video. Thank you for posting!

[@eugeneasare8256]

Thanks man, very comprehensive video 👏❤️

[@surfdocer103]

When you look up small forward there should be a picture of Bird. The true GOAT.

[@thankyouverymochi]

each position has it's role much like football. but overtime you got someone like Lebron who can play as 1/3/4, or Giannis who's a 4 that can drive like 2, or Davis a 4/5 who's really agile and strong. it's like if you can shoot, pass, and drive well. then you probably can play more than 1 position. coach can adjust your play and role if you're versatile.

[@the6thuncrownedd]

I'm watching this at half past twelve because I'm a kuroko no basket fan 🗣️🔥

[@srinivassidharthasarmareva8371]

Anthony Davis when he is healthy XD lol

[@Mrmusclemustaach-cz2cv]

Thank you now i know what positions i can play power forward and center

[@galaxy_sports]

Really helpful video! thanks man 😀

[@marcblum5348]

Thanks. Very helpful as a european soccer (we call it football haha) watcher. Watched the vid to understand where the WTF, when Wemby, center by nature, claims to be capable to play point guard. What a stretch!

[@stalfithrildi5366]

I was translating the roles into football positions, really interesting how most roles are so attacking.

[@Neverhadtotry]

Bro this makes being a street hooper tryna join a team so much easier

[@fatalfatejake]

Great video brother, Well explained.

[@deihorus7927]

Best small forward ever, Larry Legend.

[@genemaysonet3558]

Excellent analysis

[@Madmun357]

Thanks for this. I've never really watch NBA. I think I've seen maybe 1 NBA game in my life. But I'm a March Madness junkie. I LOVE college basketball, even watch my local university women's team.

[@JayTwizzle]

Thought Jeezy was giving commentary on sports but this works too.

[@unwokeneuropean3590]

I would pick from the 90s stars. Jordan, Garnett, Kid, Payton, Bryant, Iverson, McGrady, Pippen, V.Carter, P. Pierce, Shaq, Duncan, Ewing, Olajuwon, Stockton, Malone, Barkley, Robinson, Ray Allen, Kemp, Drexler, Mutombo (the order was a total random chaos)

[@ShinjiruSenjoOSLS]

i just got done with my tryouts and if i get in i wanna atleast learn this

[@harmonicarchipelgo9351]

Weird choices for the example players, but overall good explanations. You did leave out screening from the skillset of 4s and 5s though. Also more info on their defensive responsibilities would be nice since defense is one of the main reason teams still bother with positions.

[@ButtWorts]

Modern NBA: PG: Bring the ball up shoot 3s, if covered pass to the corner for someone else to shoot 3s. or drive to basket or pass for someone to shoot a 3. SG: wait for the PG to give you the ball to shoot a 3. SF: Play 1 on 1 and shoot a 3 PF: grab rebounds and pass to somone to shoot a 3 C: grab rebiound and pass to someone to shoot a 3

[@ImadogGarcia]

There are playmakers, wings and bigs. That’s it

[@leoniko6423]

I'm kind of short and really fast good at getting through defense so should I play point guard

[@MS-ho9wq]

3:52 I love how this iconic shot of LeQing is him basically carrying

[@Groove23]

Hey guys , i recently gave up soccer which was my game of choice for the past 12 years to play basketball . I was asked to play for my school . I am not tall by world definition but i am for a teenage South African male and South African in general ( i am 5ft 8 and the average height here is 5ft 5/6) In our past 12 training sessions : I'm a ball winner ( guarding and interceptions ) Shooter ( scored a lot of points in the last 4 sessions ) Passer ( I make a lot of passes ) What position do you think i should play ?

[@kostasjarasunas6963]

What is a good basketball to actually buy? I've been thinking of getting a new one but I don't really understand which ones are good and which are bad

[@Narxxist]

wilson evolution the average basketball they have everywhere

[@Narxxist]

or a nike elite

[@sholland42]

Wilson

[@juztmar]

wilson, spalding, or nike elite

[@yik4s]

Thanks bro my tryouts are tomorrow!

[@snowmansportsmedia]

Good luck my friend!

[@yik4s]

@@snowmansportsmedia thanks 🙏!

[@najehfalanah6879]

@@yik4s did u make it

[@theprinterwithnoink4912]

I don’t think he made it 😢

[@yik4s]

Oh my bad yeah I made it thanks for asking!

[@fredreplays6634]

Amazing video. Well done man. Really helped me.

[@KazuyaYuza]

Thank you

[@NoLife989]

IF IM NOT IN ONE OF THESE QUALITIES FOR A POSITION THEN WHAT PLAYERS SHOULD I STUDY?😢 -Decent ball handling -Perfect Form but cant shoot -small -Noice Rebounding -i pass.alot. -i stay inside the low and high posts alot. -I have nice defense -i can still score my own buckets (Me btw)

[@saytr4]

Maybe this guy? kzbin.info/www/bejne/sJLcopaYrsqVqLM Coaches love hustling defense-first guys

[@loading2703]

A sg maybe you don’t have to a certain height to play a certain role but it does help. Iverson played sg although he was shorter

[@FrankDior23]

Josh hart

[@user-ze9dd9cm3e]

Good stuff!!

[@xkiga3663]

watching this knowing everything about basketball

[@Korboze]

thanks. Just realized im joining a team tmrw, but im a street hooper, a decent one. don't know positions

[@awandire1534]

I like that

[@nelsonhill4625]

These sound more like attributes than formalized roles/positions.

[@Joen133]

No way I played for the school team and still needed to watch this

[@marwanaboughaly3894]

nab draft explained next please

[@Shane_2yearsold]

I’m not gone lie I’m going to basketball camp next week so I’m trying to learn this stuff😅

[@vyompatel1002]

Honestly instead of Lamar Odom in the point forward position, I would go with Scottie Pippen. He was also a really good passer and gave good looks to his teammates

[@snowmansportsmedia]

Agreed!

[@lemmonox]

I think there are only three positions now. Guard, forward, and center.

[@x9gaming205]

lol agreed

[@amyaustin8828]

Nice

[@jahjoeka]

This is the only way to get this information.

[@sirTAFFvanBAS]

Guards forward and forwards guard very interesting sport

[@9svm]

i just played an all star game in 2k23 mycareer and my team was me (pg) zion (sg) tatum (sf) durant (pf) embid (c) . it was definitely the easiest game i ever played

[@samkelomambisa1897]

Where are these guys on the field? I feel like that's a very important thing you left out.

[@TrollfaceDarkBruhLmao]

Now I know I can playing SF, PF and C position

[@Wolf1036]

Where to start point guard Pistol Pete Marovovich, small forward Larry Bird, Center Wilt the stilt Chamberlain, power forward Carl Malone, shooting guard Jerry West.

[@kristianlavigne8270]

Same applies for football aka soccer. Modern players at the elite level are all expected to be technically gifted, pressure resistant, great passers etc. and to play multiple positions, much like i the Dutch "total football" of the Cruyff era

[@ItsAllAboutGuitar]

When you're a pro, I don't get why you wouldn't practice all facets of the game and strive to be elite in all.

[@SwaggyGoober]

@@ItsAllAboutGuitarExactly you never know if one of your teammates get hurt, and you gotta take their spot

[@aramskaef6955]

@@ItsAllAboutGuitar I know im late but dude the majority of pros ARE elite at most things compared to amateurs, but they are average compared to the stars. Like in Man City all the defenders can hit inch perfect passes across the pitch maybe 5-6 times out of 10. But compared to KDB or Kroos they're still average.

[@truwak]

This really helped for someone like me who is a basketball casual. Great video sir!

[@rinkashime261]

man my coach at school put me as a pf i was hoping to be a sg cause i tried to aim my game to be like kobe and i was good moving around the court and scoring almost everytime i got the ball, i just didnt shoot 3s like that.

[@brothergrimaldus3836]

"And the perfect example for a small forward in basketball is...." LARRY BIRD

[@ItsAllAboutGuitar]

Although he was 6'11" so closer to a power forward or center's size.

[@alextaylor3453]

I watched this to see what position I’d play. I still don’t know

[@alextaylor3453]

Either pf or sg I‘ve gif it down to those

[@2khub155]

Ask yourself how big you are, are you fast, can you shoot, defend, pass, dribble

[@r.a.3219]

@@2khub155 I joined the team at my school but I don't know what position I'd play. Can you help me? I'm around 5'7, not too quick, lack in dribbling and passing but I am decent in shooting and defending.

[@mohamedabdourahman9845]

@@r.a.3219 maybe the 2.

[@d3adyoutubeaccount]

@@r.a.3219 if your school has smaller guys then be a shooting guard, if they dont have, try being a point guard like someone named rajan rondo

[@refoilmiya5193]

5:02 Anthony davis "when he's healthy"

[@DagneZand]

Can somebody explain this using Micheal Jordan era Chicago Bulls as an example?

[@28clothingzeke]

Tryouts are in an hour thanks.

[@snowmansportsmedia]

Knock em dead

[@28clothingzeke]

@@snowmansportsmedia I made it

[@The_FlowerBoy]

@@28clothingzeke nice

[@axlprz11]

@@28clothingzeke yessir!! but i don’t understand, you tried out for a sport in which you’re not familiar with the positions??

[@28clothingzeke]

@@axlprz11 I had to remind myself of them

[@skalawitz]

You forgot the undersize bigman.. like myself that has the size of SF or SG but plays PF/C.

[@letsgetit90]

Barkley is that you?

[@kallemetsahalme5701]

yea and people always put me as point guard even if i hate analyzing the game and looking at game clips and all that i just wanna play, shooting guard or small forward is way more my taste. i guess theres name for that too.

[@souldeep808]

Point Guards: Magic Johnson, Steve Nash, Chris Paul, John Stockton, Allen Iverson, Stephen Curry Shooting Guards: Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Klay Thompson, Reggie Miller, Larry Bird, Small Forwards: Scottie Pippen, LeBron James, Kawhi Leonard, Julius Erving, Dominique Wilkins Power Forwards: Charles Barkley, Karl Malone, Tim Duncan, Blake Griffin, Kevin Garnett, Dennis Rodman Centers: Shaquille O'Neal, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Wilt Chamberlain, Bill Russell, Hakeem Olajuwan

[@dannypatrick8517]

Dwade best combo guard of all time

[@samhackney6169]

What was shaq

[@juliusperseus8612]

#5

[@snowmansportsmedia]

Center

[@thatoneveryfunnychannel2482]

usually if they’re above 7ft, they’re a center

[@Nell302]

@@thatoneveryfunnychannel2482 6’11

[@Nell302]

6’11+

[@davidhiramreyes6490]

Today’s game is basically 4 combo guards & a center

[@alaboutbrain942]

PG: Stockton SG: Wade SF: Kawhi PF: Malone C: Admiral

[@amor7886]

❤

[@ismailcift]

There are two positions anymore: Three point shooters that can handle the ball, theree point shooters that can pretect the rim.

[@ItsLateAndImBoredAF]

Thank you! Baseball and football, easy. Basketball? I'm clueless. Now I can submit a somewhat educated draftkings lineup. Haha

[@idkyoustill8228]

Point forward: Grant Hill + Scottie Pippen

[@MFWHOM]

Can you still play at SF if you're 6ft or should I try shift to PG?

[@snowmansportsmedia]

What level? High School could be fine, but definitely too short to play SF at 6 feet in college or professionally

[@MFWHOM]

@@snowmansportsmedia Ig in America I'd be in highschool but is there point training to be a SF if I'm gonna switch at college?

[@snowmansportsmedia]

@@MFWHOM Honestly SF and SG are very similar positions. The training/skillset that you need for both are virtually the same so I don't think it's a big deal if at some point you end playing more SG

[@MFWHOM]

@@snowmansportsmedia idk about SG cuz I can't shoot from 3 efficiently the main reason I considered SF was due to it being one of the main defenders which is one of my strong suits

[@215_Philly_4for4]

I’ve always been a Sixers fan but have never been much of an all around NBA guy. The game seems kind of boring until the playoffs/4th quarter. College is so much more entertaining IMO.

[@ahmedfarah4094]

How is college more entertaining

[@215_Philly_4for4]

@@ahmedfarah4094 there’s actual strategy and game plan involved. Watch how they actually play defense and don’t just chuck up brick ball 3’s every time they have possession. NBA is nothing more than a glorified skills competition every game. Didn’t used to be that way either. So much less competitive than it was.

[@easiazyy]

​@@215_Philly_4for4this is literally not true. Actually a causal level take.

[@thewish6528]

I played some basketball for the first time with my friends and I’m almost certain if I were to ever play basketball I’d be a Point Guard.

[@BowlerScott]

Your thumbnail says “positons” which sounds like a term Futurama would use

[@greghuffman3061]

Me need thus

[@Bedwarsgeeks1]

But I’m ur bigggest fan

[@hatefulentity5331]

I'm just starting to take interest in basketball after watching TLD which kinda inspired me to watch the sports more. Because I know who Michael Jordan is & what he does ever since I could read the newspapers but I have 0 knowledge of the sport 😂😂😂. So thanks for this short informative video. Just for some context, I'm from a country that actually couldn't give a flying F about 🏀. They don't even air matches on TV here😂

[@chancellorship]

1:11

[@drayott-jr]

I'm not tall as shit but I'm probably more of a power forward until I can shoot better long range and then I'll probably be closer to a small forward since I'm not really a big man player rn Took two quizzes and apparently I'm closer to a point guard honestly I can kinda see it but I guess the shooting part plus shooters like curry made me think not being able to go long range disqualified me for it Quiz 3 gave me PF Quiz 4 gave me PF I'm done with this comment I guess I'm a power forward + point guard mix

[@redherring4119]

Kobe was a shooting guard's shooting guard. Textbook definition of an SG.

[@boyscout7277]

Jordan was

[@redherring4119]

@@boyscout7277 Yeah Jordan too. Both guys plus Wade were prototypical SGs. Three level scorers, great defenders, Franchise corrnerstones, stonecold killers.

[@boyscout7277]

@@redherring4119 honestly I was not a fan of either and I feel as though while great, Kobe was not on the level MJ. A very good imitation during the post Jordan era. Those early days before MJ won a title he was pretty inhuman. I get it tho people want to compare the 2.

[@codybraendle9214]

It would probably help to not use all time greats as your example lol. LBJ as an example of a small forward makes it tough to recognize what the average small forward does, which is not lead the league in assists lol

[@americandissident9062]

LBJ trash.

[@dandrespruill1165]

The 5th nba player in the game is a role player. This role player is like an nfl punt returner. Not much scoring or any defense. Just free throws, inbound the ball, and the player will be in tip-off! you can reply