What is 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.
Common skills of the power forward
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.
In essence, the power forward can collect rebounds, mainly by using their overall size, particularly their height and arm length, to box out their respective assignment during man to man defense or the nearest offensive player in a zone defense coverage.
Screening
During offensive execution, 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.
In this instance, the power forward can use their size and strength to hinder or totally block the movement of opposing defenders.
That, in turn, can free up teammates who would be able to receive the basketball to score or make plays for others, including the power forward.
Passing
The power forward is generally able to perform a variety of passes including but not necessarily limited to the most common ones such as the basic chest pass, bounce pass, or overhead pass.
The power forward is also typically capable of performing other types of passes that are generally more advanced beyond the common ones such as the skip pass, baseball pass, or outlet pass.
These particular passing abilities can possibly lead to scoring opportunities for other teammates as well as a decent amount of assists for the power forward.
Defense
The power forward can typically guard opposing post players near or around the basket with adequate low post defense. The power forward could also be utilized as a rim protector in certain instances to hinder high percentage close-range shots.
Furthermore, in some cases, if the power forward has sufficient speed, then it may be possible for them to guard more perimeter-oriented players, especially following a defensive switch.
How to understand the player roles and diagrams on this page
In reference to any diagrams below, each of the offensive and defensive players are generally represented by the standard basketball positions, unless otherwise noted.
Additionally, offensive players are signified by numbers such as 1-5 while defensive players are indicated by the letter X, which is then followed by numbers such as X1-X5.
In essence, 1 and X1 indicate the respective offensive and defensive point guards. 2 and X2 signify the respective offensive and defensive shooting guards.
3 and X3 denote the respective offensive and defensive small forwards. 4 and X4 designate the respective offensive and defensive power forwards.
5 and X5 represent the respective offensive and defensive centers.
Moreover, in terms of a brief legend for the diagrams:
- Black Dot or Small Circle: The black dot or small circle represents the basketball.
- Solid Arrow: The solid arrow indicates movement or a cut on the basketball court.
- Dotted Arrow: The dotted arrow represents a basketball pass.
- Wavy Arrow: The wavy arrow indicates dribbling.
- T-Shaped Symbol: The T-shaped symbol signifies a screen, also known as a pick.
- Double pipe symbol: The double pipe symbol denotes handoff action.
What is an example of a power forward setting a 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.
The following diagram demonstrates this action initiated from a 1-4 high set.
To begin, 5 receives the ball from 1 who then cuts to the basket by way of a back screen set by 4. Afterwards, 1 could receive the ball again from 5, assuming that is open, and score via a layup at the basket.
What is an example of a power forward using a cross screen?
The power forward could use a cross screen that is initially set by a teammate within the lane near the basket or near the high post area.
From there, the power forward could get open, gain possession of the ball, and score via a layup, low post move, or perhaps even a mid-range jump shot.
The following diagram showcases an example of the cross screen action.
To start, 1 dribbles toward the left side wing. Next, 1 executes a dribble handoff alongside 5. From there, 5 can dribble back toward the top where 1 was initially located.
Following that, 3 receives the ball from 5 and as that occurs, 4 cuts to the right side low post area by way of a cross screen set by 2 who also continues the cut through to the left side corner.
After that, 4 could receive the ball from 3, perform a low post move, and score around the basket.
What is an example of a power forward setting a down screen?
The power forward could set a down screen to help a teammate get open, particularly near a perimeter area of the court such as the wing, the slot, or the top.
Afterwards, the teammate who was freed via the screening action could take a jump shot if feasible or execute another type of action while in possession of the basketball.
The following example diagram demonstrates this concept.
To begin, 4 basically cuts down toward the adjacent low post area to set a down screen with 2 as the recipient.
From there, 2 uses that screen to get open near the right side wing and receive the ball from 1. Afterwards, 2 could take the three-point shot if open or execute some other offensive action.
What is an example of a power forward setting an 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 behind the three-point line.
Afterwards, the power forward as well as the additional screener could close the gap to block the defender that is covering the third offensive player who utilized the elevator screen.
The following diagram illustrates this concept in more detail.
This example features a power forward setting an elevator screen alongside another teammate to ultimately help a third teammate get open for a possible three-point shot.
In terms of the basic setup: 1 is located at the top with possession of the basketball; 2 initially occupies the right side low post area; 3 is on the left side wing; 4 and 5 fill the high post elbow areas.
To begin, 1 executes a dribble entry towards the vacant right side wing. As that occurs, 2 cuts toward the top, particularly between the elevator screen set by 4 and 5.
Afterwards, 2 receives the ball from 1 and could take the open three-point shot.
What is an example of a power forward setting an 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.
The following diagram illustrates this concept.
To start, 2 receives the ball from 1. Afterwards, 1 cuts to the right side wing via a flare screen set by 4.
3 could throw a skip pass to 1 who could take the shot if open or drive to the basket.
Also, 1 could drive towards the lane and then 5 could high dive into the lane from the dunker spot. From there, 5 receive the ball from 1 and score around the basket.
What is an example of a power forward setting an 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.
Furthermore, in certain instances of the flex offense, especially during its continuity, the power forward could potentially receive a flex screen as opposed to only setting it.
The diagram below illustrates this concept.
To begin the action, 5 receives the ball from 1. Next, 2 cuts to the basket by way of the flex screen set by 4.
From there, 2 could receive the ball from 5 and score via a layup. Otherwise, 2 could continue the cut towards the left side low post area.
Moreover, following the flex screen, 4 could use a down screen from 1 and cut towards the right slot area.
4 could receive the ball from 5 and take the open three-point shot if that is feasible.
What is an example of a power forward being involved in floppy action?
During floppy action, the power forward could occupy space near one of the low post areas to set a single screen on one side of the lane or a double screen on the other side alongside an additional player such as the small forward or a center.
From there, the single screen or double screen can be ultimately utilized by another another offensive player to get open near the perimeter areas of the court.
The diagram below shows how floppy action could look in more detail.
To begin, 3, 4, and 5 set screens near the lane and 2 has the option to use the single screen of 5 or the double screen of 3 and 4.
In this instance, 2 utilizes the double screen of 3 and 4. Afterwards, 2 cuts to the right side wing and receives the ball from 1, which could then lead to a three-point shot.
What is an example of a power forward being involved in hammer action?
The power forward could essentially set a hammer screen for a teammate on one side of the court while another teammate in possession of the ball attacks the baseline on the opposite side.
From there, the teammate who would be the recipient of the hammer screen could get open near the adjacent corner, receive the ball via a drift pass, and take the open jump shot.
The following diagram demonstrates this concept with more clarity.
At the start, 2 receives the ball from 1 and afterwards, 5 lifts up from the left side low post area to set a step-up screen.
Next, 2 uses that screen and dribbles toward the baseline. While that happens, 4 lifts up from the right side low post area to set a hammer screen on X3, who is the defender guarding against 3 in this example.
Simultaneously, 3 cuts down to the right side corner using the hammer screen in the process, receives the ball via a drift pass from 2, and takes the three-point shot if open.
What is an example of a power forward using an inverted on-ball screen?
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 may be feasible when the power forward has excellent dribbling skills, particularly while in possession of the basketball near the perimeter areas of the court.
This atypical screening action might also be advantageous, especially if the power forward’s defender does not expect the screen to happen, particularly from a smaller offensive player.
The diagram below demonstrates this concept in more detail.
At the beginning of the action, 4 receives the ball from 1 and after that, 2 lifts from the low post area to set an inverted screen; more specifically, a step-up screen.
Next, 4 uses that screen to dribble towards the baseline, ultimately to attack the rim for a potential scoring opportunity via a layup or dunk.
What is an example of a power forward being involved in roll and replace action?
During roll and replace action, the power forward could set an on-ball screen for a teammate before rolling to the basket. Furthermore, as the power forward rolls, another post player could replace at the top.
Afterwards, the power forward could receive the ball and score via a layup or dunk.
The diagram below showcases this concept with more clarity initiated from a 1-4 low set.
To begin, 4 lifts up towards the top to set a high screen. 1 uses that screen and begins dribbling towards the basket. As that happens, 4 rolls to the basket while 5 replaces at the top.
Next, 4 could receive the ball from 1 and score via a layup.