From Rebounds to Three-Pointers: Expanding the Role of the Power Forward

It’s not enough to score inside, grab rebounds, and play good defense.

Some power forwards have evolved into 5-tool basketball players. A 5-tool player is someone who can score, pass, handle the ball, play good defense, and rebound the basketball at a high level.

The modern power forward is a well-rounded player who excels in various game situations. Power forwards are typically strong rebounders, good defenders, and capable scorers.

History of the Power Forward

Traditionally, the power forward was the team’s second-biggest player—only the center was taller. Responsibilities for power forwards included rebounding the basketball on offense and defense and scoring. Most of the scoring by power forwards was close to the basket. The role of the power forward has expanded over the years. Some players who used to play power forward are now called a “stretch 4.” A stretch 4 can step outside and shoot from beyond the 3-point line. The term stretch is used because they “stretch” the defense or make them step out farther to guard them. The number 4 is used because a power forward was always the fourth position. Nos. 1 and 2 are guards, 3 and 4 forwards, and No. 5 is the center. 

Important Skills for a Power Forward

Power forwards must be well-rounded in every aspect of their game. Below is a list of skills the ideal power forward possesses.

• Rebounder: Power forwards are called upon, along with the center, to rebound on offense and defense. Rebounding is when you secure a missed shot. 
• Defensive Rebounding: A defensive rebound is when you get a shot your opponent misses.  
• Offensive Rebounding: An offensive rebound is when you get a shot that your teammate misses. Offensive rebounding is more difficult because defensive players (your opponents) usually are closer to the basket than the offensive players and they’re able to box out. Boxing out is when you plant yourself in front of your opponent with a wide stance to shield them from getting a rebound. A good offensive rebounder knows how to anticipate how the ball bounces off the rim and then tries to get it. Power forwards are frequently the best offensive rebounders on their team.
• Strength: A traditional power forward is typically the strongest player on the team. Because they play inside, where there’s physical contact, power forwards are usually muscular and tough. They must know how to box out effectively. There’s often contact when players try to get rebounds. Power forwards should have strong hands so they can hold onto the basketball because opponents will try to steal it.
• Good Defenders: Power forwards usually guard strong inside players. They must be able to stop their opponents from getting baskets close to the basket and scoring. This requires excellent footwork and quick lateral movements to help them stay in front of their opponent.
• Scoring: Power forwards should be productive inside scorers. Some power forwards are also able to step outside and make 3-point shots.

Strategies for Success

To get a deeper understanding of what makes a good power forward, you must learn where to be on the court on both sides of the ball. Below are some strategies, skills, and plays that successful power forwards should master.

• Offensive Positioning: Many power forwards play with their back to the basket on offense. That means they’d receive the basketball while facing their opponent’s basket or with their back to their basket. Receiving the ball in this position gives them different options to make a move to score. A guard can lob the ball over the head of a defender to the power forward, who could try to turn around and shoot the ball or perhaps pass it to an open teammate. Power forwards cut back and forth underneath the baseline, sometimes looking to get passes close to the basket from a ball handler. Power forwards are also responsible for setting screens. A screen is when they deliberately step in front of a teammate’s defender. Setting a screen often allows that teammate to shoot the ball without someone guarding them. 
• Pick & Roll: A pick and roll is when an offensive player sets a screen for the person dribbling the ball. The person who sets the screen or moves to or “rolls” to the basket. The action of setting a screen and rolling often causes confusion for the defense, which allows the player with the ball to drive to the basket and score. Or the player with the basketball can pass the ball to the screener inside. Typically, the screener on a pick and roll play is either the power forward or the center. Guards usually are the ballhandlers in that situation.
• Defensive Positioning: In a zone, the power forward’s responsibility is to play along the center under the basket. A zone is when players defend defined areas near the basket. The power forward and the center protect the lane. They’re responsible for stopping opponents who try to drive into the basket and score. Or for any player that is attempting to score inside. If the team plays man-to-man defense, a power forward typically guards one of their opponent’s biggest players. Often, they guard their power forward. Man-to-man defense is when you are assigned to guard 1 player. Your job is to defend that player everywhere they go when their team is on offense. Centers and power forwards are usually the team’s best shot blockers. A blocked shot is when a player deflects the basketball on its way to the basket with their hand. Most shot blockers are good jumpers so power forwards often can leap high.

• Mid-Range Shooting: Because power forwards play close to the basket, they need to be able to make mid-range shots, which are between 10 and 12 feet from the rim. They’ll usually have to shoot over a defender. If you’re a stretch 4 your range is to the 3-point line, which is 23’9” in the NBA. Power forwards usually score off offensive rebounds more than their teammates. That typically happens next to the basket.

   

Training and Skill Development

Below are some drills that you can work on to help you become a better power forward.

• Finishing Drills: Toss the basketball high off the backboard, grab it on its way down, and put it in the basket. These are the same actions a player uses when they try to put an offensive rebound back in the basket. You can either toss the ball off the backboard yourself or have someone throw it. Make the putback 20 times.
• Post-Feed: Have a player toss the ball to you when you're posting up from about 10 feet. Catch the ball, step back, and shoot a fadeaway jump shot. A fadeaway is when you jump back from the defender and then put a shot up. It’s difficult to block a fadeaway. Take 10 shots.
• Blocking Pad Workout: Have a player or coach wear a blocking pad that covers their forearm. A blocking pad is generally made of polyfoam, shaped like a large tube, and fits around the forearm. The player dribbles the ball from half court toward the basket while the person guarding them bumps them with the blocking pad. The offensive player makes a layup from the right side and then starts over again, making one from the left side. Do this 10 times. This mimics the contact power forwards get when being bumped by the opponent while dribbling up the court.