# Positions and Roles · Basketball Level 3: Pre-Intermediate

Basketball · Level 3: Pre-Intermediate · Insporta Book (https://book.insporta.app/basketball/level-3/positions-and-roles/)

Positions and Roles in Basketball (Level 3: Pre-Intermediate) on Insporta: 100 sourced facts behind 10 tests. Covers: the five positions; and more.

The five positions and their numbers, the point guard, the shooting guard, the small and power forward, the centre, combo players, the bench, role players and leaders.

## Test 1: The five positions

- Five players, one per position: point guard to centre. (Source: General basketball reference, positions)
- Positions are numbered 1 to 5 from the point guard. (Source: General basketball reference, positions)
- The centre is the 5. (Source: General basketball reference, positions)
- Point guard and shooting guard. (Source: General basketball reference, positions)
- Power forward and centre are usually the tallest. (Source: General basketball reference, positions)
- Shooting guards and small forwards often start on the wings. (Source: General basketball reference, positions)
- The 4 is the power forward and the 1 the point guard. (Source: General basketball reference, positions)
- 1 point guard, 2 shooting guard, 3 small forward, 4 power forward, 5 centre. (Source: General basketball reference, positions)
- Guards are usually smallest, centres tallest. (Source: General basketball reference, positions)
- The centre usually works on the low block, close to the basket. (Source: General basketball reference, positions)

## Test 2: The point guard

- He limits mistakes rather than chasing points. (Source: General basketball reference, positions)
- He calls plays and organises team-mates. (Source: General basketball reference, positions)
- He must find team-mates and choose well. (Source: General basketball reference, positions)
- Ball-handling up the floor is his job. (Source: General basketball reference, positions)
- He feeds the open man. (Source: General basketball reference, positions)
- He creates for others first. (Source: General basketball reference, positions)
- Usually the point guard should handle the ball up the floor. (Source: General basketball reference, positions)
- Up, call, set, pass. (Source: General basketball reference, positions)
- Beat, read help, find, pass. (Source: General basketball reference, positions)
- He runs the offence. (Source: General basketball reference, positions)

## Test 3: The shooting guard

- The 2 is often the team's best shooter. (Source: General basketball reference, positions)
- He spots up on the perimeter. (Source: General basketball reference, positions)
- Shooters run off screens to get free. (Source: General basketball reference, positions)
- He swings between shooting guard and small forward. (Source: General basketball reference, positions)
- Defenders must stay out to guard them, opening the lane. (Source: General basketball reference, positions)
- He usually matches up with the other 2. (Source: General basketball reference, positions)
- Quickness beats a slower defender on the drive. (Source: General basketball reference, positions)
- Wait, run, catch, shoot. (Source: General basketball reference, positions)
- Block, elbow, then the arc. (Source: General basketball reference, positions)
- A catch-and-shoot player who starts on the wing is a typical 2. (Source: General basketball reference, positions)

## Test 4: The small forward

- Shooting guards and small forwards are wings. (Source: General basketball reference, positions)
- He can post up, drive and shoot. (Source: General basketball reference, positions)
- Positions often match up with each other. (Source: General basketball reference, positions)
- He handles and passes like a point guard. (Source: General basketball reference, positions)
- Their size helps on the glass. (Source: General basketball reference, positions)
- A size edge is used near the basket. (Source: General basketball reference, positions)
- A speed edge is used on the drive. (Source: General basketball reference, positions)
- See, post, seal, score. (Source: General basketball reference, positions)
- 1 handles, 3 does a bit of all, 5 protects the rim. (Source: General basketball reference, positions)
- An all-round wing who scores and guards. (Source: General basketball reference, positions)

## Test 5: The power forward

- The 4 is a strong player who works inside. (Source: General basketball reference, positions)
- He trades size for speed and shooting. (Source: General basketball reference, positions)
- Space opens in the lane for drives. (Source: General basketball reference, positions)
- Bigs often catch at the elbow or the free-throw line. (Source: General basketball reference, positions)
- Post players work on the block near the rim. (Source: General basketball reference, positions)
- A big body blocks defenders well. (Source: General basketball reference, positions)
- Strength wins close to the rim. (Source: General basketball reference, positions)
- Screen, drive, roll, finish. (Source: General basketball reference, positions)
- The block is closest, the high post furthest. (Source: General basketball reference, positions)
- A power forward who shoots threes. (Source: General basketball reference, positions)

## Test 6: The centre

- The 5 is usually the biggest. (Source: General basketball reference, positions)
- He blocks or changes shots near the basket. (Source: General basketball reference, positions)
- Height and position near the rim win rebounds. (Source: General basketball reference, positions)
- Like a stretch four, he pulls a big away from the rim. (Source: General basketball reference, positions)
- He runs hard to the basket on the break and on rolls. (Source: General basketball reference, positions)
- Post play uses the body to shield the ball. (Source: General basketball reference, positions)
- He scores and protects best near the rim. (Source: General basketball reference, positions)
- Drive, step, block, run. (Source: General basketball reference, positions)
- Screen, turn, run, finish. (Source: General basketball reference, positions)
- Rebounding, protecting the rim and screening. (Source: General basketball reference, positions)

## Test 7: Combo players and line-ups

- He can run the offence and score. (Source: General basketball reference, positions)
- Skills matter more than a fixed position. (Source: General basketball reference, positions)
- Switching is easier when players can guard anyone. (Source: General basketball reference, positions)
- A passing big can find cutters from the post. (Source: General basketball reference, positions)
- Smaller line-ups are quicker but give up size. (Source: General basketball reference, positions)
- Less size means fewer rebounds and less rim protection. (Source: General basketball reference, positions)
- A big restores size on the glass. (Source: General basketball reference, positions)
- Shooter, space, drive, kick. (Source: General basketball reference, positions)
- From small to big. (Source: General basketball reference, positions)
- He brings the ball up, scores and plays the 1 and 2. (Source: General basketball reference, positions)

## Test 8: Starters and the bench

- A strong sixth man keeps the level up when the starters rest. (Source: General basketball reference, roles)
- The starting five tip off the game. (Source: General basketball reference, roles)
- Coaches use a set group of players most nights. (Source: General basketball reference, roles)
- Fresh legs and different skills help. (Source: General basketball reference, roles)
- It shows how much the bench adds. (Source: General basketball reference, roles)
- He changes the game's mood quickly. (Source: General basketball reference, roles)
- Fresh legs restore energy. (Source: General basketball reference, roles)
- Start, tire, sub, minutes. (Source: General basketball reference, roles)
- Starters, then the sixth man, then the deep bench. (Source: General basketball reference, roles)
- The sixth man leads the bench unit. (Source: General basketball reference, roles)

## Test 9: Role players

- A shooter or a stopper is a typical specialist. (Source: General basketball reference, roles)
- A team works when each player does his part. (Source: General basketball reference, roles)
- He does the small things that help others. (Source: General basketball reference, roles)
- He takes on the toughest defensive matchup. (Source: General basketball reference, roles)
- Role players cover the gaps around the stars. (Source: General basketball reference, roles)
- Diving for loose balls and taking charges show effort. (Source: General basketball reference, roles)
- A stopper fills the missing job. (Source: General basketball reference, roles)
- Defend, rebound, run, shoot. (Source: General basketball reference, roles)
- Stars shoot, stoppers guard, role players screen. (Source: General basketball reference, roles)
- Shoots threes and guards well. (Source: General basketball reference, roles)

## Test 10: Leaders on court

- Teams pick captains they will follow. (Source: General basketball reference, roles)
- A calm captain keeps the team's voice respectful. (Source: General basketball reference, roles)
- Players follow what a leader does. (Source: General basketball reference, roles)
- Support helps the next play go better. (Source: General basketball reference, roles)
- Players must organise themselves in live play. (Source: General basketball reference, roles)
- He calls out plays and keeps everyone together. (Source: General basketball reference, roles)
- A calm leader turns attention to the next play. (Source: General basketball reference, roles)
- Gather, calm, plan, play. (Source: General basketball reference, roles)
- Warm-up, time-out, handshake. (Source: General basketball reference, roles)
- He leads and talks to team-mates. (Source: General basketball reference, roles)

Sources: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3 and general coaching references; original questions authored, nothing reproduced. Numbered FIBA rules belong to the Rules category.

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