What Are The Positions By Number In Men's Basketball?

Basketball is a game of numbers. Score more points than your opponent and you'll win the game. Get more rebounds and make more defensive stops, and you put yourself in a better position to score points. Understanding then numbers behind basketball can help you become a better coach. That includes understanding the numbers associated with each position.

1. Point Guard

The point guard is No. 1 because he's considered the "quarterback" of the offense. The point guard's job is to bring the ball up the floor on offense and start the play. When a play gets broken up, the point guard resets and gets all other offensive players where they need to be. Point guards must have superior court vision, dribbling and passing skills.

2. Shooting Guard

As its name implies, the shooting guard's main responsibility in the offensive set is to get open for jump shots. Many times, the shooting guard specializes in shooting 3-pointers. Shooting guards come off screens and beat their defenders off the dribble to shoot open shots. The shooting guard may slide over to become the point guard if the situation warrants it.

3. Small Forward/Combo Guard

The No. 3 position is perhaps the most versatile in the game. The No. 3 player is a small forward, able to play underneath the basket but also able to play on the perimeter as a shooting guard. The small forward/combo guard is the most difficult to match up against because of his ability to play multiple positions.

4. Power Forward

The power forward's main responsibility on offense is to stay close to the basket, grab rebounds and shoot close-in shots. Power forwards are among the tallest players on the team to give them the best chance of grabbing important rebounds and defending the other team's forwards.

5. Center

The center is almost always the tallest person on the basketball team and plays a similar role to the power forward, but often -- because of his height -- is used more for rebounding than scoring, depending on his offensive skills. Blocking opposing players' shots is another main role of the center. Just by their sheer presence, centers can alter the opposing team's entire offensive approach. Because of their dominating size, centers are also called upon to set screens against opposing players to help their teammates get open.