in basketball, what does playing out-of-position mean and why is it a big deal?

Question

What does it really mean when someone is playing out-of-position? So Shawn Marion is suppose to be a natural small forward but he use to play power forward, which was suppose to be
out-of-position for him. When he played power forward, did he changed his natural game? Did he stop doing certain things?

Answer 1

playing out of position means that you are either under/oversized for your preferred position or that you lack the skills for that position.

for example, allen iverson is listed at 6'0", which is an acceptable size for a point guard in the NBA. however, iverson plays more of a 2 guard (shooting guard) position in which he could be matched up against guys that are 6-5 and 6-6 like ray allen or michael redd. this could prove to be a great disadvantage for the team with the out of position player.

Answer 2

Playing out of position in basketball is the same as it is in any other sport. It'swhen a player plays out of the position he's practiced and played in for most of his career. A baseball player plays 3rd most of his career and then switches to 2nd, he's now playing out of position.

It also often has to do with physical limitations based on position. This is very much the case for Shawn Marion. He's not a very big guy at all and for him to be in at power forward is very much out of position. He'll be going against much bigger, much stronger guys which can result in Shawn being less effective.


btw...Go Suns!!! :-)

Answer 3

In a way, Yeah!! In another No!!

Yes, because size and height all fit into what you would call your best or (natural positions)!!

Primarily:

PG - 5'5 - 6'3
SG - 6'3 - 6'6
SF - 6'6 - 6'9
PF - 6'8 - 7'0
C - 6'9 - 7'6

But then you have the size of the player and how well they play. I mean most Small Forwards are good at primarily anything on the court. But the main things are:

PG - Distribute the ball
SG - Main scorer if good enough (Mostly perimeter shooting)
SF - High Post Play (Screen Play (Sometimes))
PF - Post Player Period (Some exceptions)
C - Post Player Period

I mean when they put in the position of PF he didn't play the same position as in he played much stronger oppenents who could dominate him in the post as if he were to play SF he would swat if from the weak side.

That's my interpretation of that!

Answer 4

He didn't change his natural game, nor did he stop doing certain things. At power foward he was giving up size and height to whomever he matched up with, but to his advantage he's quicker than most fowards. The big deal is that individually, marion is a better sf than pf. However, the suns don't have a good center, so gain alot more when they play amare and marion out-of-position and diaw at sf vs amare and marion at pf and sf with thomas as center.

Answer 5

Playing out of position could mean that he has little experience playing that position as opposed to another.

The more frequent use of the term has to deal with defense and offense strategy. Are you playing man to man? or are you playing a zone? If a player is out of position, then there is a hole in the defense/office that could be exploited by the opposing team. There is always an urge for a player to try to exploit and opportunity, even if his actions do not allow for his team mates to change their tactics to back him up. Waiting fo the team mates to change their position so they can back you up better is a good move, as long as the opportunity to make the shot stays open while your waiting for the transition.

Answer 6

Maybe you are a natural shortstop and they move you to First base probably because of someone being injured. You are now playing out of position. It could also mean you are playing in the wrong part of the field for the hitter, base runner and general game situation. Players are always moving to try to play to the hitters strength, sometimes they get caught out of position.

Baketball would be the same thing. A shooting Guard usually down't make a goo Point guard. Also on defense you could get caught playing out of position and get burned.

Answer 7

umm playing out of position would be when you are out of position (self explanitory) whether on offence of defence. But its most critical on defence. defence is position, offence it timing

Answer 8

Very well, however Very lengthy , now i'm Very tird. well nite. thank you for the mattress time tale.; ) P.S.the one factor you didn't do is offend me, Very disapointing. hA HA hA Or is it.

Answer 9

it means that your spose to play a position but you don't

Answer 10

like i dunno if u are offesne
and u play as defense, there IS NO offesne so then like u are missing a player on that part of the court/feild so it is very important