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Positions

All NFL MLB NBA MLS World Cup

Half-court view with all 5 positions, from the point guard up top to the center in the paint. Tap any player to read its glossary entry.

PG Point Guard: The floor general. Brings the ball up, runs the offense, and is usually the primary playmaker and passer. SG Shooting Guard: The perimeter scorer and shooter. Spaces the floor from beyond the arc and often handles the ball as a secondary creator. SF Small Forward: The versatile wing. Scores inside and out, attacks the rim, and defends multiple positions across the floor. PF Power Forward: Plays near the basket. Rebounds, finishes inside, sets screens, and increasingly stretches the floor with the jumper. C Center: Anchors the paint. Protects the rim with blocks, grabs rebounds, sets screens, and finishes around the basket.

The five positions

For novice viewers

  • Each team puts 5 players on the floor: a point guard, a shooting guard, a small forward, a power forward, and a center.
  • Position numbers (1–5) follow a fixed order: 1=Point Guard, 2=Shooting Guard, 3=Small Forward, 4=Power Forward, 5=Center. A "stretch 4" is a power forward who can shoot from three.
  • The point guard runs the offense and usually leads the team in assists — they bring the ball up and set up scoring chances.
  • The center patrols the paint: they protect the rim on defense and finish near the basket on offense.