how to be a power forward in basketball

Power forward is perhaps the most physically demanding position on the basketball court. A domain of players both tall and large, the power forward acts as an interior enforcer on defense and a low-post scoring option on offense. Some of the greatest players in NBA history played the power forward position, and in some cases, their skills and talent were the difference-makers for some of the greatest dynasties in basketball.

Who is a Power Forward?

In the NBA, power forwards generally range between 6-foot-7 and 7-feet tall and weigh 240 to 260 pounds. Power forwards are known for their ability to rebound and play defense, while also possessing a short- to medium-range offensive game, usually consisting of a jump shot, or the ability to score off of offensive rebounds.

As each of the five basketball positions is assigned a number, the power forward is often listed as the 4-man. Point guard and shooting guard are 1 and 2, small forward is the 3 and center is the 5.

Playing Defense

The role of the power forward on defense is to assist the center by denying drives to the basket by opposing guards or low-post moves by the forwards. The power forward must also be a strong rebounder, particularly in cases where the center has challenged a shot attempt directly and is out of position to rebound.

Successful power forwards can combine agility with size, allowing them to cover more ground defensively and rebound in traffic against players his own size and strength.

Playing Offense

Power forwards usually play at the offensive end with their backs to the basket, relying on low-post moves and a short jump shot to create their own offense. Unlike the small forward, who often dribbles with the ball on the perimeter and can create his own shot by pulling up for a jumper or driving into the lane, the power forward is more limited offensively, particularly as a dribbler.

As on defense, a primary role of the power forward on offense is to collect rebounds and score off his own teams' misses. The power forward is also the trigger on give-and-go plays with the guards, taking an entry pass and returning it to the guard, who drives past the power forward toward the basket for a layup attempt.

Famous Power Forwards

The power forward position played crucial roles in the great dynasties of the 1980s and '90s in the NBA. The Boston Celtics won two titles in the 1980s and reached the finals five times (1981, '84-87) in large part because of the contributions of 6-foot-11 power forward Kevin McHale. With his extremely long arms and lanky frame, McHale was an intimidating, shot-blocking presence on defense and a master of low-post moves on offense, scoring on a variety of jump-hooks and duck-under moves.

While the Los Angeles Lakers and Chicago Bulls dominated the 1980s and '90s with stars like Magic Johnson and Michael Jordan, it was the power forwards who did the necessary little things on defense to ensure victory. Neither the Lakers' Kurt Rambis or A.C. Green, nor the Bulls' Horace Grant, were considered stars, but their ability to contain the likes of McHale and the Knicks' Charles Oakley provided the necessary margin for victory.

Modern Stars

Yahoo! Sports rates the Lakers' Pau Gasol as the best power forward in the NBA as of 2010. Gasol has helped the Lakers to back-to-back titles, outplaying Boston's Kevin Garnett in the 2010 Finals, won by the Lakers in seven games. Dallas' Dirk Nowitski and San Antonio's Tim Duncan were also listed among the top five at the position.