đ Positionless Basketball: Why Your Child Should Learn Every Role on the Court
In todayâs game, the old âyouâre the tall one, so youâre the centreâ mindset is disappearing fast. The best teams â from the Opals in the FIBA Womenâs Asia Cup to the Boomers and the worldâs elite at the Menâs and Womenâs Basketball World Cups â are embracing positionless basketball.
But what does that mean for your child? And why should they learn every role on the court instead of sticking to just one?
đ The Modern Game is About Skills, Not Size
At the 2023 FIBA Womenâs Asia Cup, the Opals ran line-ups where the âcentreâ could stretch the floor, drain three-pointers and the âpoint guardâ could rebound like a forward.
In the 2023 FIBA Menâs World Cup, teams like Germany (gold medalists) and Australiaâs Boomers used multiple ball-handlers and big men who could pass, shoot, and drive â breaking the old mould of fixed positions.
And at the Womenâs World Cup, WNBA New York Liberty stars like Breanna Stewart (Team USA) and Steph Talbot (Opals) blurred the lines between guard, forward, and centre with their all-around games.
When kids learn all positions:
Guards gain confidence finishing against bigger players.
Forwards develop an outside shooting touch.
Centres improve ball-handling, passing, and decision-making.
This versatility makes them more adaptable â and far more valuable to any team.
đ§ Smarter Players Make Better DECISIONS
When your child understands what every position is trying to achieve, they:
Move better without the ball.
Anticipate teammatesâ actions.
Step into any role when needed.
In both World Cups, successful teams adapted line-ups constantly, switching defensive matchups and rotating ball-handlers â and every player responded seamlessly. Thatâs the power of positionless basketball IQ.
đȘ Confidence in Every Role
A player who can run the point, make a wing pass, or battle inside for rebounds wonât panic if asked to try something new mid-game.
Just like the Boomers and Opals, who adjust their lineups depending on matchups, young players who train across all positions stay calm, creative, and confident.
đ Why We Teach It at One Thru Five
In our sessions, players rotate through all spots on the court â not just their ânaturalâ position. This:
Builds full-court awareness.
Helps them thrive against mismatches and quick switches.
Prepares them for any coachâs system.
And most importantly⊠it keeps basketball fun, dynamic, and exciting.
đ The Takeaway for Parents
Encourage your child to:
Try every role in training and games.
Watch different positions when following the Menâs or Womenâs World Cup and the Asia Cup.
Focus on skills first, labels later.
Because in the modern game, the best position is being ready for any position.
đ Want your child to learn the game like the worldâs best?
Join our next One Thru Five before and after school training program â where every player learns skills for every role, just like the champions on the international stage.
