The small forward, or the 3, links the guards and the bigs. They usually have the size and strength to play near the rim, but also the skill to play on the perimeter. That makes it the most versatile position in basketball.
Offensive responsibilities
- Scoring in many ways: threes, mid-range, drives and transition.
- Exploiting mismatches: posting smaller defenders and taking bigger ones off the dribble.
- Running the floor on the break, filling the lanes.
- Passing and helping create when the defense collapses.
Defensive responsibilities
- Often guarding the opponent’s best perimeter scorer.
- Helping in the paint and rebounding.
- Switching onto guards and bigs without losing control of the play.
Qualities that make a difference
- Length and athleticism, which help guard several positions.
- A reliable three-point shot, especially from the wing and the corner.
- Functional ball-handling to attack the rim in straight lines.
- Defensive IQ: reading passing lanes and knowing when to help.
What changed in modern basketball
In today’s game, the wing has become the most sought-after piece. Teams look for players around 6’5” to 6’9” who shoot, dribble and guard 1 through 4. They are the so-called “3 and D” players (good three-point shooting and good defense) and, one level up, wings who also run the offense.
Many teams play three or four wings at once, giving up the traditional center. That is why players with a wing’s body who build a complete game have a lot of doors open.
How to train as a youth player
- Corner and wing threes, catching off a teammate’s drive.
- Finishing with both hands and through contact.
- One-on-one defense against quick players and against strong players.
- Rebounding: box out, then sprint the floor.
Next in the series: the power forward, strength and mobility.