How to Define NBA Backcourt

Some of the greatest athletes in the world participate in the NBA. While this intense action is fun to watch, the terms used to describe the NBA can be confusing to the casual fan. One term that some do not understand thoroughly is backcourt.

Instructions

1. Understand that the term backcourt is used to describe the tandem of players that do most of the dribbling in the NBA. The backcourt in the NBA consists of two positions, the point guard and the shooting guard.

2. Know that the point guard is the main ball handler on the court. It is the job of a point guard, in most instances, to get the ball to other teammates who are in a position to score. Scoring is a secondary function for the point guard; their main statistical barometer is the assist. Most of the time the point guard is the smallest player on the court. Being less than six feet tall is not necessarily a detriment to playing the position.

3. Recognize that the second component of an NBA backcourt is the shooting guard. As the name suggests, his main job is to shoot the basketball. Some shooting guards can play the point guard position and vice versa.

4. Realize that the basketball court is divided into two sections--the frontcourt and backcourt, from which the name derives.