Today's Quote: "Leaders are like eagles - they don't flock. You find them one at a time." - Knute Rockne
Today's Theme...Developing Your Point Guard(s)
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 - 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.
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.
Point guards also must master all the skills needed by perimeter players in general, as described in our last newsletter. These include attacking and finishing at the hoop, shooting, dribbling and dribble moves, reading defenses, etc.
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Put in a new offense or defense this season.
Run a special inbounds or buzzer-beater play and look like a genius!
Use a special defense to shutdown a star player.
Teach your team how to break a press.
