What is general information about the small forward in basketball
The small forward is one of the five common basketball positions that is typically able to do a little bit of everything in terms of scoring, rebounding, playmaking, and defending near the basket or around the perimeter areas of the court.
Also, the small forward is usually indicated as the number 3 and the typical abbreviation for this basketball position is SF.
Capable scorer
The small forward is typically a capable scorer that can generate points with a variety of different methods.
First, the small forward could attack the rim while in possession of the basketball, primarily by way of a swift first step or via basketball dribbling moves.
Afterwards, the small forward could score around the basket with a layup, dunk, or floater before the help defense is able to potentially hinder or completely prevent the opportunity to score.
Second, the small forward could utilize the on-ball screen to establish dribble penetration into the gaps of the overall defense, particularly adjacent to the nail area or the lane area.
Following that, the small forward could score via a mid-range jump shot, or simply by way of a close-range shot.
Third, the small forward could utilize several types of off-ball screens to get open near the perimeter, or possibly near the basket.
From there, the small forward could receive the ball and then score points via the execution of layups, dunks, floaters, or high quality open jump shots that are not contested by potential defenders.
Fourth, the small forward could cut to the basket, particularly from the weak side perimeter areas of the court, receive the ball from another offensive player, and then quickly score at the rim before the defense is able to properly react.
Adequate rebounder
The small forward is generally an adequate rebounder, especially on the defensive side of the ball. Essentially, the small forward can initially box out their respective assignment during man to man defense or the nearest offensive player in a zone defense coverage.
Following that, the small forward could utilize their height and arm length to grab an ample amount of defensive rebounds. However, it should also be noted that the small forward can occasionally collect a decent amount of offensive rebounds such as via tip-in action.
Effective defender
The small forward could be an effective defender in terms of containing the ball and/or executing defensive closeouts near the perimeter areas of the court.
Furthermore, if the small forward possesses enough speed and quickness, then perimeter-oriented defensive switching could become very useful.
In other words, faster small forwards with above average lateral quickness could potentially switch onto a point guard or shooting guard, particularly when the offensive team executes different types of basketball screens.
In addition to that, the small forward might also be able to efficiently cover the low post areas around the basket.
Basically, if the small forward is strong and athletic with long arms, then that would give them the opportunity to guard against offensive low post players.
This would generally occur by way of defensive switching or possibly during a small ball sequence that would essentially feature the small forward in the role of an undersized power forward.
Sufficient playmaker
The small forward could be a sufficient playmaker during offensive execution, which could also result in at least a handful of assists.
As an example of this potential playmaking ability, let’s say that the small forward utilizes one or more dribbling moves against an on-ball defender to ultimately attack the basket and/or get into the lane area.
As a result of that happening, one or more off-ball defenders would be influenced to collapse into the lane to stop further dribble penetration and/or to prevent uncontested layups at the rim.
When that occurs, another offensive player could receive the ball via a kick pass or drift pass from the small forward. Afterwards, that same offensive player could take and make an open jump shot, which would increase that same player’s point total and give the small forward an assist.
As another brief example of playmaking, the small forward might be able to execute a lob pass to a teammate such as a power forward or center near the basket after dribbling into the lane. This, in turn, could result in an easy layup or dunk, primarily via alley-oop action.
What is the difference between a small forward and a point guard or shooting guard
In terms of the difference between a small forward and a point guard or shooting guard, the small forward is usually taller and/or stronger.
Furthermore, the small forward is also a better rebounder in general than the point guard or shooting guard, primarily due to height advantage as well as their typically longer wingspan.
Conversely, the small forward usually does not possess the same level of quickness and/or footspeed as the point guard or shooting guard.
Moreover, the dribbling skills of the small forward are generally acceptable for their respective position. However, at the same time, those dribbling skills may not be as adept when compared to those of the point guard or shooting guard.
Also, the small forward is typically more than capable of generating at least a moderate amount of assists but usually not as much as the point guard, who is commonly the team’s play initiator and primary ball handler.
What is the difference between a small forward and a power forward or center
In terms of the difference between a small forward and a power forward or center, the small forward is usually much faster and/or quicker but generally not as tall and/or as strong.
In addition to that, the small forward could possibly have a more accurate jump shot from mid-range or three-point range in terms of field goal percentage than the power forward or center.
Nevertheless, this is not always the case. Basically, a special type of power forward, commonly known as the stretch four, could potentially shoot the basketball at the same level or even a higher percentage than the small forward, especially from three-point range.
Moreover, it is also quite possible that at least a handful of centers could possess a perimeter shooting ability that is just as good (or perhaps better in a few cases) than the small forward.
For example, notable NBA centers with adept three-point shooting skills include players such as Nikola Jokić, Myles Turner, and Joel Embiid, to name a few.
Furthermore, the small forward typically operates near the perimeter areas of the court, especially the wings, as opposed to the low post areas, which are generally utilized more by the power forward and the center positions.
However, it should be stated that it is usually possible for a player in the position of a small forward to score around the basket via a series of low post moves, if and when it is necessary for that player to do so.
Additionally, the small forward generally does not collect as many rebounds, especially offensive rebounds, as the power forward and/or center positions.
This is commonly a result of the small forward being near the perimeter areas of the court, especially during offensive action, more often than around the basket as mentioned previously.