MEED HOOPS LAB

Positions, Roles & Modern Basketball

Module — Positions & Roles
Modern basketball is fluid — positions blend into roles.
Module — Positions & Roles

Modern Basketball Roles: Versatile, Fluid, Connected.

The old “1–5” model still matters — but today’s game relies on roles more than labels. Learn how each position helps build spacing, structure, and advantage.

Each role has responsibilities on offense, defense, and in transition. Study elite players at every spot with film for each concept.

Point Guard Scoring Guard Wings Bigs Hybrids On-Ball Roles Off-Ball Roles
Overview Guards Wings Bigs Hybrid Positions Offensive Roles Defensive Roles Rebounding Roles Transition Roles Leadership Film Room
Section 1

Overview – What Are Basketball Positions?

Positions help organize roles on the court — but players today blend skills across categories.

Traditional 1–5 Model

  • 1 – Point Guard
  • 2 – Shooting Guard
  • 3 – Wing / Small Forward
  • 4 – Forward / Stretch Big
  • 5 – Center

Modern Interpretation

  • Ball-Handlers
  • Creators
  • Finishers
  • Connectors
  • Spacers
  • Rim Protectors
Section 2

Guards – Ball Handlers, Creators & Leaders

Guards control tempo, create advantages, and connect actions for the offense.

Point Guard (PG) – Primary Decision Maker

  • Controls pace and initiates offense.
  • Reads the floor and organizes spacing.
  • Gets teammates high-quality shots.
  • Handles pressure and plays low-mistake basketball.

Shooting Guard (SG) – Scoring & Secondary Creation

  • Creates scoring from perimeter and mid-range.
  • Attacks closeouts and second-side actions.
  • Reads off-ball screens and relocations.
  • Provides secondary playmaking when PG is pressured.
Section 3

Wings – Versatility, Spacing & Two-Way Impact

Wings bridge guard and big responsibilities — spacing, defending, and attacking advantages.

Wing – Offensive Responsibilities

  • Attack closeouts with pace and IQ.
  • Cut, relocate, and maintain spacing.
  • Shoot efficiently from both corners & wings.
  • Finish in transition and on backdoor actions.

Wing – Defensive Responsibilities

  • Guard multiple positions on switches.
  • Close out under control with length.
  • Tag rollers and rotate from the weak side.
  • Contest shots without fouling.
Section 4

Bigs – Interior Presence, Screens, Rebounds & Protection

Modern bigs space the floor, defend the rim, set elite screens, and finish at volume.

Key Responsibilities

  • Set screens that create real advantage.
  • Finish at the rim with power & touch.
  • Protect the paint & anchor the defense.
  • Space the floor (if a stretch big).
  • Dominate the glass.
Section 5

Hybrid Players – Connectors Between Guards & Bigs

Hybrids are matchup-proof and system-proof — they fill gaps everywhere.

Section 6

Offensive Roles – How Each Position Creates Advantage

Modern offenses rely on creators, connectors, spacers, rollers, drivers, and finishers.

Section 7

Defensive Roles – Containment, Rotation & Rim Protection

The best defenses rely on roles: on-ball stoppers, helpers, rotators, and anchors.

On-Ball Defense – Contain the Ball

  • Win the first step.
  • Angle your hips to guide drives.
  • Contest without fouling.
  • Force weak-hand drives.

Team Defense – Rotations & Help Principles

  • Tag rollers early.
  • Low man protects the rim.
  • Close out under control on the second effort.
  • Rotate on penetration, not on the pass.

Screen Defense – Hedge, Drop, Switch & Ice

  • Communicate early and loud.
  • Know the coverage before the screen arrives.
  • Bigs & guards must work together.
  • Recover with urgency.
Section 8

Rebounding Roles – Securing Possessions

Every position rebounds — some by boxing out, some by flying in from the perimeter.

Section 9

Transition Roles – Offense & Defense in the Open Court

Spacing the floor, filling lanes, protecting the rim, and making early decisions.

Section 10

Leadership & Intangibles – Vocal, Poised & Connected

Leadership isn’t about position — it’s about communication, poise, and making teammates better.

Section 11

Film Room – Study Every Role

Four major categories: creators, scorers, defenders, and role players working together.