Point guard
A basketball position that acts as the team's main ball-handler and organiser of the attack.
Definition
In basketball, the point guard is usually the player who brings the ball up the court and directs the team's offence, deciding when to pass, drive or shoot. Often described as the on-court playmaker, they are expected to read the defence and set up scoring chances for team-mates.
Point guards generally need strong dribbling, passing and decision-making, along with the ability to control the pace of play. They are frequently the players who call the plays and organise where team-mates should be during an attack.
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Skills
Positions
- Point guardThe point guard is basketball’s primary ball-handler and playmaker, running the offence and setting up teammates to score.
- Shooting guardThe shooting guard is a perimeter player whose main role is to score, especially from mid-range and beyond the three-point line.
- SetterThe setter is volleyball’s playmaker, taking the team’s second contact and delivering accurate sets for hitters to attack.
- StrikerA striker is the main attacking player in football, positioned furthest forward with the primary job of scoring goals.
- CenterThe center is usually the tallest player on a basketball team, playing near the basket to score inside, rebound, and protect the rim.
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- Tier A — evergreen educational
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- Content updated
- 2026-09-01
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