How to Be a Point Guard

In basketball, point guard is the most important position on offense. Point guards are primary ball handlers and team leaders. Becoming an effective point guard is a long-term commitment requiring dedication to improving dribbling, passing, shooting, court vision and game intelligence.

Things You'll Need

• Basketball Basketball court Other basketball players Sneakers Comfortable athletic clothing

Instructions

Dribbling and Ball Handling

1. 

   Practice basic dribbling. Dribble with one hand while sprinting from one end of the court to the other. Switch your dribble hand after each sprint.

2. 

   Practice crossover dribbling by the same means as the basic dribble sprint drill, except by bouncing the basketball over to alternate hands.

3. 

   Keep your dribble as low as possible. Higher dribbles are more easily stolen by defenders.

4. 

   Protect your dribble. Keep your body between the defender and the ball. Place your nondribbling hand in front of the ball. Turn your body at 45-degree angles to advance and create separation simultaneously.

Passing

1. 

   Practice the chest pass. Start a chest pass by holding the ball at chest level with both hands. Focus directly on the intended target. Push the ball toward the target, following through completely as if trying to topple the target. If alone, practice passes on a wall.

2. 

   Practice the bounce pass. The bounce pass combines elements of the chest pass and the dribble. Using both hands, execute a chest pass that hits the floor and bounces up into the hands of your intended target.

3. Practice the lob pass. Lob passes are like chest passes, except they take the high-arcing flight pattern of a jump shot, as opposed to a more linear trajectory. Lob passes are the most dangerous, as they stay in the air longest, giving defenders greater opportunity to intercept the pass.

4. Fake passes to confuse defenders. This may create an open shot for yourself or a teammate.

Shooting

1. 

   Learn a jump shot. Point guards pass with the intention of finding unguarded teammates in good position to make shots. Sometimes, the point guard is the best scoring option and need not pass.

2. 

   Learn a layup. While dribbling toward the basket--also known as "driving"--jump off the opposite leg from your shooting hand, propelling yourself toward the rim. At the height of your jump, lay the basketball off the backboard and into the basket.

3. Fake your shot to confuse defenders. Doing so may open up a scoring opportunity for yourself or a teammate.

Basketball IQ

1. Watch as much basketball as possible when not playing. Study footage of established point guards.

2. Welcome instruction from coaches. Be an example of lesson retention.

3. Learn the playbook. Team plays must be second nature.

4. Adopt a team-first philosophy.

Defense

1. 

   Exercise "defensive position" by standing in front of your target with feet spread slightly more than shoulder width. Bend your knees and prepare to move laterally by sliding your feet to stay between your target and the basket.

2. Watch the middle of your target's chest. Do not watch the basketball directly, as it moves more quickly than you can, and your target may use it to deceive you. Watch the ball peripherally. Reach down for it during your opponent's unprotected dribble to steal it away.

3. Monitor the opposing team's passing lanes. Stay between your target and the basket, being mindful of where the ball is as well. Using your basketball IQ, decide when to stay between your target and the basket, or your target and the ball.

Tips & Warnings

• Be mindful of your own safety and that of the players around you.

• Always stretch before engaging in any strenuous physical activity to avoid injury. Always wear shoes with proper traction to avoid injury. Stay properly hydrated. Avoid playing in extreme heat.

References

• Merriam-Webster Dictionary - Point Guard
• Daily Dime - 10 Greatest Point Guards Ever