The Small Forward Position in Basketball
The small forward is a combination of a guard and forward who is smaller than the power forward. The average height of a small forward in the National Basketball Association is just over 6-foot-6 inches while a power forward’s average height is around 6-foot-8. Sometimes a small forward plays like a big guard. They’re one of the most versatile players on the team. A good small forward can shoot, rebound, score, dribble, and defend. Many of the star players in the National Basketball Association are small forwards and some of the greatest players in the history of basketball were small forwards.
Offensive & Defensive Responsibilities of a Small Forward
In basketball, each of the 5 positions is assigned a number. A point guard is No.1, the other guard is No. 2, the small forward is No. 3, the power forward is No. 4 and the center is No. 5. A small forward falls right in the middle. Their job is to play both like a forward and a guard. Often, a small forward could be called a third guard or the swingman. Or sometimes, a small forward can play the big guard position also. They are perhaps the second facilitator on the team. What does that mean? Teams will run offensive plays through them. The small forward often starts a play, which is the point guard’s job most of the time. Below are some skills that good small forwards possess:
Defense: Small forwards should be versatile defenders. They might not always be matched up against a small forward on defense. If they’re long and athletic, they could be called upon to guard the opponent’s point guard. A small forward should be a good on-ball defender. That means they’re capable of closely guarding a player that’s dribbling the basketball and keeping them out of the paint area. If a team plays zone, a small forward could play on the outside of the zone, where they’ll have to guard perimeter shooters or in the middle, where their job would be to stop an opponent from dribbling inside. It’s not uncommon for a small forward to be the best all-around defender on a team. Some small forwards, depending on their size and leaping ability, are good shot blockers. They are often good at deflecting and stealing basketballs because they have quick hands, and they can anticipate passes.
Rebounding: A small forward should be an adequate to good rebounder. Many of the rebounds should be grabbed by the center and power forward but a small forward could be the third or possibly the second-best rebounder on the team. They’re likely not going to get as many offensive rebounds as the 2 other inside players because they’ll be playing more on the perimeter on defense.
Ball Handling: A small forward should be a good ball handler. They should be able to bring the ball up the floor and start the half-court offense in certain situations. Starting the offense means they’ll be dribbling the ball, and they’ll make the first pass. When they’re playing the role of a facilitator, they can be called a point forward. A point forward is a forward who plays like a point guard. Small forwards should also be good at dribbling in open space. On fast breaks, they could be the first outlet. That means they’ll be the player that receives the pass first from the rebounder in a fast break situation.
Passing: Passing the ball effectively is a skill that pairs with being a good dribbler. Small forwards are often asked to set up other teammates for open shots. They should be able to move the ball quickly up the floor on fast breaks by dribbling and passing the ball. Like a guard, a small forward should have good vision and know where their teammates are on the floor.
Scoring: Offensively, the small forward is usually the most versatile player on the team. They should be adequate 3-point shooters, but they’ll also be able to drive and score in the lane through defenders. A small forward is often the best mid-range shooter on the team. That means they can make jump shots that are shorter than 3-point shots but not close to the basket. A small forward is sometimes called a “slasher.” A slasher is a player that can get into the middle of the lane, and score over taller defenders. They can also pass the ball to a 3-point shooter when they’re able to find an open spot in the lane.
Screening: Small forwards are effective at stepping out and “screening” or stepping in front of an opponent who is guarding a teammate. A good screen allows a player to shoot over the person guarding them.
Small forwards should be very good at one aspect of the game. If they’re exceptional at passing, dribbling, scoring, rebounding, and defending, they’re a great player. At the very least, a small forward should be able to score in a variety of ways and defend effectively.
Future of the Small Forward
It’s difficult to generalize about how a small forward should look and play because their strengths can be completely different. For example, some small forwards can be 6-foot-8 or even taller. Some are great rebounders. Some small forwards are only 6-foot-4 but they play “bigger.” That might mean they have long arms, which can be an advantage for grabbing rebounds and getting shots off. Some might be great leapers. Others could be great shooters. Others could be unselfish, preferring to set their teammates up for baskets. And the best small forwards rebound, shoot, score, pass, dribble, and play defense well. Small forward is perhaps the most glamorous position in basketball. A small forward must embrace the spotlight, and they’re expected to deliver in pressure situations. Often, they’re the player that coaches set the last shot up for in a tie game. One theme with all good small forwards is that they’re versatile. They have multiple skills they can showcase. The small forward position will continue to evolve as players’ physical skills improve. They’ll likely get bigger, stronger, and faster.