There are almost an infinite number of basketball plays that can be run during a basketball game. These plays can involve all five players on a team or they can involve just one player. The position a player holds down on the floor determines the types of plays that a player will usually make when going one-on-one with a defender. The usual five positions on the floor are center, power forward, small forward, shooting guard, and point guard.

Usually the offensive basketball plays for a center are done very close to the basket. A center is usually the tallest player on the floor and often the least effective ball handler and outside shooter. That’s why most of the offensive basketball plays for a center involve being close to the basket. A center’s main jobs are to rebound the ball, score near the basket, and defend close to the basket. Because most of their work is done inside the lane, centers need to be able to play with their back facing the basket. One of the more common one-on-one center plays is the up and under: The center fakes a shot, when the defender jumps to block the shot, the center ducks under the defender and shoots the ball.

The power forward is usually the next tallest player on the floor for a team. Some power forwards are decent ball handlers and some have a jump shot. However, most do not. The power forward is expected to be a good rebounder and a good player around the basket. Offensive basketball plays for a power forward are very similar to the plays for a center. However, most power forwards are a little more athletic and play a little better away from the basket than a center. Therefore, one-on-one plays for a power forward may include turn around jumpers and some mid-range plays.

The small forward or swing forward is usually a good rebounder. Often he’s the third tallest player on the floor. The small forward is sort of the “Jack of all Trades” on the floor. This position requires the player do be able to do a little of everything – rebound, play inside, shoot outside, and handle the ball. The coach and the individual player need to know what the player does best and then offensive basketball plays can be catered to the ability of the player.

The shooting guard is usually the taller of the two guards on the floor. This player handles the ball quite a bit but not as much as the point guard. A shooting guard spends most of his/her time on the outside. He usually passes the ball or shoots from the perimeter. A good one-on-one offensive basketball play for the shooting guard is the step back jumper: The player dribbles forward getting the defender to move back, then the shooting guard picks-up the dribble while stepping back and then shooting. The step-back creates space to take the shot.

The point guard is the quarterback on the floor. He/she controls what the offense is doing. He/She is usually very quick, a good ball handler, and a good passer. The point guard may or may not be a good outside shooter. A point guard isn’t always asked to make a lot of one-on-one plays to score because the main job of the point guard is to pass the ball and make it easy for others to score. A good one-on-one play that may lead to a pass or a shot often involves a cross over dribble: The point guard dribbles with one hand and starts in one direction. Then the point guard quickly switches hands and directions with the dribble and goes the other way. The defender has a hard time staying with the point guard because he started one way and is forced to quickly try and play defense going the other way.

There are numerous offensive basketball plays for both teams and individual players. Individuals each play a specifics position on the floor. Each of these positions has certain jobs that need to be done and therefore there will also be certain one-on-one plays that a player attempts more often.