Newsletter #244

Today's Theme:  Developing Your Point Guard

In the off-season, players need to get better.  Here are several pages and drills on how to develop your point guards.

All good point guards must be able to handle the ball, pass well and make good decisions, shoot the outside shot and pull-up jumper, and dribble-penetrate and finish.

In addition to basic skill fundamentals, there are factors such as how the coach wants to use his/her point guard, the style of play, the abilities and talents of the teammates surrounding the point guard, and the skills, temperament, experience and leadership qualities of the point guard him/herself.

The point guard is an extension of the coach on the floor, the "quarterback", or floor general, and so must have a good working relationship with the coach and be "coachable". He/she should know what the coach expects, and what team strategies to use at a given time. The point guard must know his role on the team, whether he is expected to be a John Stockton type assist man, or a scorer like Allen Iverson.

How to Become a Great Point Guard - This article discusses the importance of communication, running the half-court offense, floor balance, passing, how to control game tempo, hunting and attacking the paint with the dribble, understanding the game situation, handling full-court pressure, leadership qualities and attitude.

Seven Key Concepts that Every Good Point Guard Needs to Know by Dena Evans - from All-American UVa point guard Dena Evans.

Skills Necessary for Point Guards:

Passing and Faking Skills - a good point guard must be clever and know how to pass-fake, shot-fake, fake with eyes and feet (jab steps), know how to change speeds, etc. He/she must also be an excellent passer (see Passing). Practice your "no-look" passes as much as your shooting.

Finishing at the Hoop: 

1. Lay-ups - Finishing at the Hoop  - standard, reverse and inside hand lay-ups, pro-hop finish, and floaters.
2. Advanced Inside Finishing Moves - Rondo Fake Finish, Euro Step Finish, Pro Hop Finish, Jamal Crawford Finish, Kobe Bryant Pound Pivot Finish, and Steve Nash Back Leg Finish.

Learning How to Shoot - shooting fundamentals.

Guard Breakdown Shooting Drills - good variety of shooting drills for perimeter players.

Motion Offense Drills - breaking down guard play, important actions, reading the defense, etc.

Dribbling and Dribble Moves - all point guards must be able to handle the ball and make basic dribble moves.

Tim Springer - College Point-Guard Workout