basketball Basketball is a team sport in which two teams, most commonly of five players each, opposing one another on a rectangular Basketball court, court, compete with the primary objective of #Shooting, shooting a basketball (ball), basketball (appro ...

, a stretch four (sometimes called a stretch big) is a player at the

power forward The power forward (PF), also known as the four, is one of the five traditional Basketball positions, positions in a regulation basketball game. Traditionally, power forwards have played a role similar to center (basketball), centers and are typi ...

position that can shoot further from the basket than a conventional power forward. "Stretch" describes the effect that such a player has on the opposition's defense, and the power forward position is also known as the "four"; hence "stretch four". The stretch four is a fairly recent innovation in the NBA (with an "explosion" of players coming through since the 1999–2000 season), but is still becoming increasingly common in today's game, as many NBA coaches now use the " small-ball" line-up/tactical play.

Style of play

Power forwards (PF's) traditionally play close to the basket, using their size and strength to provide interior defense, posting up (scoring close to the basket) and rebounding. A stretch four is a player that is of power forward size, but has superior shooting skills (especially

three-point field goal A three-point field goal (also 3-pointer, three, or triple) is a field goal in a basketball game made from beyond the three-point line, a designated arc surrounding the basket. A successful attempt is worth three points, in contrast to the two ...

s), spending more of their time away from the basket. While using these skills on offense, the player retains the ability to defend the opposing power forward. Stretch fours are tactically employed in this way to "stretch" the opponent's defense. The ability to score a high percentage of catch-and-shoot three-point shots from distance (the distinct feature of a stretch four) causes defensive problems for the other team, as it pulls the opposing power forward defender out of the low post area, opening up driving lanes for teammates to exploit (these can be running lanes or passing lanes). Unlike some traditional, plodding power forwards, stretch fours must also be able to defend counterparts who can shoot from outside. They may also have to defend smaller perimeter players. Players who have the same playstyle as stretch fours, but play the center position are called stretch fives.

References

External links

* http://www.cbssports.com/nba/eye-on-basketball/24088180/stretch-4s-in-the-nba-the-balance-between-stretching-and-defense Basketball positions Basketball terminology {{basketball-stub

Style of play

See also

References

External links