What is general information about the power forward in basketball
The power forward is one of the five common basketball positions that is mainly responsible for rebounding as well as scoring points and playing defense near the basket or near the perimeter areas of the court.
Also, the power forward is generally indicated as the number 4 and the usual abbreviation is denoted as PF.
Additionally, in terms of rebounding, the power forward is usually adept at gathering defensive boards but could also be an adequate rebounder on the offensive side of the ball as well.
Furthermore, the power forward is typically one of the team’s best players in terms of setting good on-ball screens as well as off-ball screens.
Moreover, the power forward usually possesses notable passing abilities, which could result in a reasonable amount of assists.
For example, the power forward could receive the ball near the high post area and then pass to a teammate such as a low post player near the basket.
If that occurred, then it would be an example of high low action. Also, if the low post player immediately scores via a layup or dunk, then the power forward would be awarded an assist as well.
As another example, let’s say that the power forward, indicated as player A, gathers a defensive rebound during transition offense.
As that happens, let’s say that another offensive player, indicated as player B quickly sprints into the frontcourt before the opposing team is able to properly react with sufficient transition defense.
From there, the power forward, player A, could start the primary break with a long distance outlet pass over the top of the defenders to player B.
Afterwards, player B could catch the ball and score via a layup or dunk while the power forward would be receive an assist.
What is the difference between the power forward and the center
The general difference between the power forward and the center is that the power forward can typically score or defend near the perimeter areas of the court or near the basket while the center usually stays as close as possible to the rim.
In other words, the power forward is a post-oriented player with supplementary perimeter skills while the center is a post-oriented player that generally emphasizes scoring around the basket and is mainly the team’s best rim protector.
Also, in general, the power forward could be at least a couple of inches shorter than the center and possibly not as strong. However, the power forward will more than likely have a speed and/or quickness advantage over the center.
Furthermore, both of the basketball positions are commonly extraordinary rebounders but the center is most likely better at gathering offensive rebounds because of the potential height advantage and/or possibly greater wingspan in terms of arm length.
What is the difference between the power forward and the small forward
The general difference between the power forward and the small forward is that the power forward is typically taller plus a better rebounder overall, primarily because of greater arm length.
Also, the power forward is more than likely a better low post defender while the small forward is generally a better perimeter defender, mainly because of speed and quickness.
Additionally, the power forward might not be as accurate from mid-range or three-point range as the small forward but this is not always the case.
For example, a special type of power forward, known as a stretch four, primarily focuses on perimeter scoring, and is usually one of the team’s best three-point shooters.
What is the difference between the power forward and the point guard or shooting guard
The general difference between the power forward and the point guard or shooting guard is that the power forward normally has advantages in terms of height, arm length, as well as strength.
However, the power forward commonly has a disadvantage to the point guard and/or shooting guard in relation to speed and quickness.
Furthermore, with the exception of a stretch four, the power forward generally does not fill perimeter areas, particularly the top, wings, or corners, on a consistent basis as the point guard or shooting guard.
Essentially, the power forward can fill the low post block and score from that area if necessary, usually by way of low post moves.
Conversely, the point guard or shooting guard mainly scores points and/or generates assists via playmaking abilities near the perimeter areas of the court.
Moreover, with the exception of a stretch four, the power forward might not shoot as accurately from mid-range or three-point range as the point guard or shooting guard.
Nevertheless, the power forward is usually a better scorer around the basket and could finish through contact more consistently than the point guard or shooting guard, primarily due to the advantages of height as well as strength.
What are typical ways that the power forward can score points
The power forward can score points via actions such as low post moves, perimeter jump shots, or by rolling to the basket or popping to an open perimeter area after setting an on-ball screen among other methods.
Low post moves
The power forward could receive the ball near the low post block and then attempt to score points via a series of low post moves such as the jump hook, the drop step, or the post fadeaway jump shot.
The power forward could also receive the ball near the low post block while initially facing away from the basket but then turn towards the basket to take a face-up jump shot as well.
Spot up mid-range shot
The power forward could cut towards certain areas near the perimeter within the three-point line such as the high post area.
Afterwards, the power forward could receive the ball from another offensive player and then take a mid-range jump shot if open.
The spot-up mid-range jump shot is probably one of the more common ways that the power forward could score while being away from the basket.
Spot up three-point shot
The power forward could cut towards certain areas near the perimeter beyond the three-point line such as the top, the slots, the wings, or the corners.
Following that, the power forward could receive the ball during the flow of offensive execution and take three-point jump shots if open.
For example, let’s say that an offensive player in possession of the ball, simply denoted as player A, is near the right side wing area.
At the same time, let’s say that the power forward, simply denoted as player B, fills the left side wing area and there is also an empty adjacent corner.
Afterwards, let’s say that player A successfully dribbles the ball into the gap of the defense towards the middle near the lane.
When that dribble penetration occurs, player B’s defender might slide towards the lane on the weak side to provide help defense.
From that point, the power forward, indicated as player B, could drift to the nearby empty corner, receive the ball from player A via a kick pass, and take the open jump shot.
In this basic scenario, player B’s defender probably would not have enough time to recover and contest the field goal attempt of player B, which could lead to a high quality jump shot.
Pick and roll
The power forward could initially set an on-ball screen, also known as a pick, for another offensive player, usually a point guard or shooting guard, near the perimeter areas of the court.
Afterwards, the power forward could roll to the basket, receive the ball, and score near the rim via a layup or dunk.
Alternatively, the power forward could roll to the basket, receive the ball via a lob pass, jump in the air to catch it, and then score via a layup or dunk before touching the ground, which would result in a successful alley-oop.
Generally speaking, the pick and roll action is one of the more easier ways that the power forward could score quickly and effectively near the basket.
Pick and pop
Initially similar to the pick and roll action, the power forward could set an on-ball screen for a teammate near the perimeter areas of the court.
Following that, however, the power forward could pop to an adjacent empty perimeter area, receive the ball, and take a mid-range or three-point range jump shot if open.
The power forward could consider the pick and pop action if the defender that is covering them tries to impede dribble penetration of the player in possession of the ball such as with drop coverage or a defensive hedge.
The pick and pop action could be potentially beneficial in that regard because the power forward’s defender would be too far away to effectively contest the possible jump shot.
Transition offense – Trailer
During transition offense, the power forward could initially trail behind the ball, sprint to an area such as the slot, receive the ball, and then attempt to score via an open jump shot.
For example, let’s say that during primary break, the point guard has initial possession of the ball in the backcourt but immediately dribbles it into the frontcourt near the right slot area while the power forward trails behind the play.
Next, let’s say that as that occurs, the power forward’s defender initially backpedals towards the nail area to hinder dribble penetration while the power forward sprints into the frontcourt near the left slot.
From there, the point guard could quickly pass the ball to the power forward, who could then take the open jump shot before the power forward’s defender is able to execute a proper defensive closeout.
Transition offense – Rim Runner
During transition offense, particularly within primary break, the power forward could sprint ahead into the frontcourt and run towards the rim before the transition defense is able to react quickly enough.
As an example, let’s say that during the initial phase of transition offense, the center gathers the defensive rebound. However, as that occurs, let’s also say that the power forward is able to quickly sprint into the frontcourt before the defense is able to react.
Afterwards, the center could throw a long distance touchdown pass to the power forward, who could score at the rim with a layup or dunk.
Alternatively, the center could gather the defensive rebound and then execute an outlet pass to the point guard in the backcourt.
From there, the point guard could throw a long distance baseball pass to the power forward, who could receive it and score at the rim via a layup or dunk.
Transition offense – Drag screen and roll
During transition offense, notably within secondary break, the power forward, while in the backcourt, could initially trail behind an offensive player in possession of the ball such as the point guard.
Next, the power forward could set a drag screen in the frontcourt and then roll to the basket, receive the ball, and score via a layup or dunk.
Transition offense – Drag screen and pop
Similarly, during transition offense, especially within secondary break, the power forward, while in the backcourt, could initially trail behind a player in possession of the ball such as the point guard.
Afterwards, the power forward could set a drag screen in the frontcourt and then pop to open space near a perimeter area such as a slot or wing.
From there, the power forward could receive the ball and take an open jump shot for a scoring opportunity. The drag screen pop action could be very beneficial to a power forward that prefers to play in the style of a stretch four.
Slip the screen
The power forward could initially begin to set a screen but then cut to the basket prior to the screen being fully set. The slip screen action could be utilized as a counter against the defensive hedge or defensive switching.
This could be favorable because as the slip action happens, the defender that is guarding the power forward would almost certainly be behind them, especially if that defender attempted the tactics of hedging or switching.
After slipping the screen, the power forward could receive the ball near the basket, which would lead to a high quality scoring opportunity such as a layup or dunk.
Cross screen
The power forward could utilize a cross screen that is initially set within the lane near the basket or near the high post area.
From there, the power forward could get open, receive the ball, and score via a layup or perhaps mid-range jump shot.
Inverted on-ball screen
If the power forward has excellent dribbling skills, particularly while in possession of the basketball near the perimeter areas of the court, then it could possible to utilize an uncommon on-ball screen.
Specifically, the power forward could use an inverted on-ball screen that would be set by a point guard, shooting guard, or perhaps a small forward.
This particular screening action could be advantageous, especially if the power forward’s defender does not know how to efficiently fight over the top of an on-ball screen.
Screen the screener
In certain cases, the power forward may initially set a screen for a teammate but then receive a screen immediately thereafter, which is generally referred to as screen the screener action.
A primary example of this could be the Spain pick and roll. That is, the power forward could set an on-ball screen, particularly near the top, for a teammate in possession of the basket.
After that, the power forward could begin to roll towards the basket but as that occurs, a third teammate could set an off-ball screen, specifically a back screen, on the defensive player that would be covering the power forward.
That would give the power forward an opportunity to get open, at least momentarily, near the basket. From there, the power forward could receive the ball and score via a layup or dunk.
Free throw
The power forward should be prepared to take and make at least a moderate amount of free throws.
This is especially true near the basket as the power forward would most likely be fouled by one or more defenders in an attempt to prevent high percentage layups or dunks.
Therefore, successfully making free throws is yet another simple method that the power forward could use to score points.
Which basketball screens could be set by the power forward
The power forward could set basketball screens such as the back screen, down screen, and flare screen among others to create potential scoring opportunities for additional teammates.
Back screen
The back screen could be set by the power forward directly behind a defender and after that, a teammate could use that screen to get open near the basket.
The power forward would typically set the back screen near the high post area or near the wing, generally at an angle facing the sideline.
Down screen
The down screen could be set by the power forward while facing the baseline and following that, a teammate could use the screen to get open near the perimeter areas of the court.
The power forward could also set the screen near the lane facing the basket or near the corner at an angle. Those variations are known as the pin down screen and wide pin down screen respectively.
Drag screen
The drag screen could be set by the power forward during transition offense, particularly when trailing behind the offensive player in possession of the ball.
Furthermore, after setting the drag screen, the power forward could pop to an open space near the perimeter, receive the ball, and take the jump shot.
Elevator screen
The elevator screen could be set by the power forward, usually alongside the center, to help another offensive player get open near the top.
Afterwards, the power forward as well as the additional screener could close the gap to block the defender that is covering the other offensive player who utilized the elevator screen.
Flare screen
The flare screen could be set by the power forward for an offensive teammate, who would cut away from the basketball to get open near a perimeter area such as the wing or corner.
Flex screen
The flex screen could be set by the power forward in the space between the low post and the adjacent corner to help a teammate get open near the basket.
As a side note, within the flex offense, the power forward could cut to the open slot on the same side via a down screen after setting the initial flex screen, which also happens to be screen the screener action as well.
Hammer screen
The hammer screen, a primary element within the hammer set play, could be set by the power forward when a teammate in possession of the ball attacks the baseline on the opposite side of the court.
From there, another teammate could utilize the hammer screen to get open near the adjacent corner, receive the ball via a drift pass, and take the open jump shot.
Single-double screen
The single-double screen, also known as floppy action, could be set by the power forward, alongside additional players such as the small forward and the center, to help another offensive player get open near the perimeter areas of the court.
Stagger screen
The stagger screen could be set by the power forward, alongside a second offensive player such as the center, to help a third offensive player get open near perimeter areas of the court.