Soliton molecules are firstly obtained by velocity resonance for the Gerdjikov–Ivanov equation, and n-order smooth positon solutions for the Gerdjikov–Ivanov equation are generated by means of the general determinant expression of n-soliton solution. The dynamics of the smooth positons of the Gerdjikov–Ivanov equation are discussed using the decom-position of the modulus square, the trajectories and time-dependent “phase shifts” of positons after the collision can be described approximately. Additionally, some novel hybrid solutions consisting solitons and positons are presented and their rather complicated dynamics are revealed.