| Basketball Positions | |
| Point guard | |
| Shooting guard | |
| Small forward | |
| Power forward | |
| Center | |
| Additional Positions | |
| Swingman | |
| Point forward | |
Point guard is one of the standard positions in a regulation basketball game. The point guard is normally the smallest player on the team (notable exceptions include Magic Johnson), and has perhaps the most specialized role of any position. Essentially, the point guard is expected to run the team's offense by controlling the ball and making sure that it gets to the right players at the right time. After an opponent scores, it is typically the point guard who brings the ball down court to begin an offensive play. For this reason, passing skills and court vision are essential. Great point guards are often evaluated more on their assist totals than on their scoring. Still, a first-rate point guard should also have a reasonably effective jump shot. Many great point guards are also great defenders.
在正規籃球比賽中，控球後衛是一個標準的位置。控球後衛通常是球隊中最矮小的球員（值得注意的例外有 Magic Johnson），而且可能是球場上最專化的位置。控球後衛基本上被期待藉由控制球的流動來運作整個隊伍的進攻，並且確認在對的時間，球會傳到對的球員。在對方得分後，通常是控球後衛帶過半場並且展開下一波的攻勢。因此傳球的技巧和球場的視野對控球後衛而言是最基礎。我們通常藉由評斷一個控球後衛是否有良好的助攻能力來說他是不是一個優秀的控球後衛，而並非他的得分能力。但一個一流的控球後衛仍要有一定效率的跳投能力。許多優秀的控球通常也是個優秀的防守球員。
Point guards should also exert a leadership role on the floor similar to that of a quarterback in American football. A true point guard's job is to create scoring opportunities for his team. The role includes passing and running the offense: setting up plays on the court, getting the ball to the teammate that he feels is in the best position to score, and dictating the tempo of the game. Many times, the point guard is referred to by announcers as a "coach on the floor" or a "floor general". In the past, this was particularly true, as several point guards (like Lenny Wilkens) served their team as player-coach. This is not as common anymore, as most coaches choose to call out the plays they wish to have run before each possession. Some point guards are still given a great deal of leeway in the offense, such as Steve Nash of the Phoenix Suns. Suns head coach Mike D'Antoni allowed him to freelance often when leading the Suns' high-powered offense, even letting Nash call his own plays at times. But even point guards who are not given this much freedom are still extensions of their coach on the floor, and must display good leadership skills.
而控球後衛也應該在場上展現他的領導能力，就像美式足球的四分衛。控球後衛的本份是為球隊製造得分機會，他的工作內容有傳球及運作進攻：在場上執行戰術，讓球到控衛覺得有最好位得分位置的隊友，並且控制場上的節奏。控球後衛也很多次被轉播員說是「場上的教練」或是「球場上的指揮官」。在過去這些通常都是對的，許多控球後衛（像 Lenny Wilkens） 在球
The styles with which point guards do their job vary widely from player to player. Quickness is often cited as a necessity for the position, but this is not necessarily true. While players like Steve Nash, Rafer Alston, Allen Iverson, and Tony Parker thrive on quickness, many other point guards, like Mike Bibby and Kirk Hinrich, rely on savvy to lead their team. Likewise, many effective point guards help their team by being fantastic shooters (examples include Chauncey Billups, Jason Terry, Derek Fisher, and Damon Jones). The most important skills for point guards are to pass and dribble the ball frequently without committing turnovers, and to keep the team under control at all times.
High-profile point guards currently playing include Steve Nash, Chris Paul, Allen Iverson, Tony Parker, Jason Kidd, Jason Terry, Mike Bibby, Nick Van Exel, Baron Davis, Chauncey Billups, Sue Bird (of the WNBA), Stephon Marbury (self described best point guard in the league), Steve Francis, T.J. Ford, Gary Payton, and Gilbert Arenas. Great point guards of the past include Bob Cousy, Lenny Wilkens, Walt Frazier, Nate Archibald, Magic Johnson (who was an unusual point guard, standing at 6'9"/2.06 m), Isiah Thomas, and John Stockton. Another great guard of the past, Oscar Robertson, combined the skills of a point guard with those of a small forward, foreshadowing the modern role of the point forward, which eventually became popularized by Scottie Pippen.