Small ball (basketball)

Small ball is a basketball term describing a style of play where a team sacrifices height, physical strength and low post offence/defence for speed, agility and increased scoring (often three-point).^[1] Some teams employ a non-center dominated style of play.^{[2] [3] [4] [5] [6]} Teams often move a physically dominant player who would typically play the small forward position into the power forward position (examples of players who have been used in this role include Kevin Durant,^[7] Carmelo Anthony,^[8] and Lebron James; small forwards who can play as a power forward are known as "hybrid forwards"^[9] cornerman or tweener), who would play alongside either a traditional power forward (shifted into the center position), or alongside a center. The vacant small forward position would then be filled with a swingman, a slasher small forward or shooting guard or a three-point specialist.

The advantage of using small ball is that the power forward position is occupied by a faster, more agile player who can outrun and outmaneuver the opposing power forward. In many cases the player may have a better three-point shooting percentage (than a traditional power forward), which (as well as increasing points from three-point plays) can help spread the opposition defence (as the opposing defender will come out to mark the player on the peremiter of the three point line), allowing space for teammates to run in and score around the basket (a player occupying this position, with a high three-point shot success percentage is coined a "stretch 4").^[10] When utilised by Miami Heat, Erik Spoelstra called this style of play "Pace and Space".^[11]

While the style of play does have advantages, there are several disadvantages. The addition of speed and agility comes at the cost of strength and height, the lack of "big men" can make it more difficult to guard the space under the basket while on defence, it can also prevent the team from having a low-post offensive threat when attacking, rebounding is often sacrificed (for example; in the 2012-2013 season, Miami Heat, playing small ball, had the highest wins during the season of any team in either conference, but were the worst team in either conference, by a wide margin, in total rebounds).^[12] The use of small ball tactically or to build a team (rather than as a way to get all of your best players on the court at the same time) has been criticised and called a "fallacy", a valid argument being that a player who can dominate at the power forward position should be even more dominant playing in the small forward position and facing an opposing small forward.^[13]

See also

• Nellie ball
• Run and gun (basketball)

References