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Dirk Nowitzki, pictured in 2008, was well-known for his outside shooting ability as a seven-footer.
In basketball, a stretch four (sometimes called a stretch big) is a player at the power forward position that can generate offense farther from the basket than a conventional power forward. "Stretch" describes the effect such a player has on the opposition 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"[1] of players coming through since the 1999–2000 season),[2] but is still becoming increasingly common in today's game, as many NBA coaches now use the "small-ball" line-up/tactical play.[3]
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 jump shots). 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[4]) causes defensive problems for the opposing team, as it pulls the opposing (and crucially, defending) power forward out of the low post area, opening up driving lanes for guards to exploit (these can be running lanes or passing lanes). This also creates more post space and potentially scoring and rebounding opportunities for the center player.
Players who have the same play style as stretch fours but play the center position are called stretch fives.
